Fsp27基因沉默载体的构建及其对细胞脂解的影响研究

构建脂肪特异性蛋白27(Fat-specific protein of 27,Fsp27)基因沉默载体,研究沉默Fsp27基因表达对3T3-L1细胞脂解的影响,并对其作用机制进行探究。采用RNAi技术,构建Fsp27基因真核干扰载体,下调Fsp27基因的表达。“鸡尾酒”法诱导3T3-L1前脂肪细胞分化为成熟脂肪细胞。脂质体转染脂肪细胞,油红O染色脂滴,酶法测定细胞中甘油及甘油三酯的含量。Western blot法检测细胞中Fsp27、HSL、ATGL和PPARγ的蛋白表达。Western blot结果显示:阳性sh-Fsp27干扰载体均能有效下调Fsp27的表达,且伴随细胞内ATGL和PPARγ的表达量升高(P<0.05),其中sh-Fsp27-2的沉默效果最好;酶学方法检测结果显示:阳性sh-Fsp27干扰组细胞中甘油三酯含量下降,甘油含量升高(P<0.05);油红O染色结果发现:空白对照组与阴性对照组均有大脂滴堆积,阳性sh-Fsp27组小脂滴分布广泛,未见明显的大脂滴。sh-Fsp27-2组基因沉默载体的沉默效果最好,Fsp27基因沉默可以加快3T3-L1细胞的脂解速率,其主要是通过抑制脂滴融合和增强ATGL酶的水解来完成对脂解的调控。     

CRISPR/Cas9敲除PLIN1基因增强3T3-L1脂肪细胞的脂解作用

应用CRISPR/Cas9技术敲除3T3-L1前脂肪细胞plin1,观察PLIN1缺失对脂肪细胞中脂肪水解的影响并探究可能机制。常规培养3T3-L1前脂肪细胞,电穿孔法转染plin1敲除载体,嘌呤霉素培养基挑选plin1敲除细胞,观察转染及筛选后的细胞存活率。"鸡尾酒"法诱导3T3-L1前脂肪细胞分化,酶法测定甘油和TG含量,油红O染色观察脂滴形态及数目的变化。Western blotting检测PLIN1、PPARγ、Fsp27和脂肪酶的蛋白表达;RT-PCR检测PLIN1和脂肪酶的mRNA表达。对照组细胞诱导分化后,微小脂滴数目较少,单房脂滴数目较多并围绕细胞核呈环型排列。相较于对照组,敲除组细胞诱导分化后微小脂滴数目增加,单房脂滴体积缩小,数目减少;细胞中PLIN1mRNA及蛋白表达被显著抑制(P0.05);甘油水平显著上升(0.0984±0.0076),TG含量显著下降(0.031 0±0.005 3);HSL和ATGL两种脂肪酶的mRNA及蛋白表达均升高(P0.05);PPARγ和Fsp27的表达未有明显变化。上述结果表明plin1敲除后通过暴露脂滴中脂质以及上调脂肪酶等效应增强了3T3-L1脂肪细胞的脂解作用。     

下调Fsp27基因表达联合杨梅素干预对3T3-L1细胞脂解的影响

目的:下调脂肪特异性蛋白27(Fsp27)基因表达联合杨梅素干预,观察对3T3-L1细胞中脂质代谢的影响,并探究脂滴发生、发展变化的调控机制。方法:常规培养3T3-L1前脂肪细胞,采用"鸡尾酒"法诱导其分化为成熟脂肪细胞。脂质体法转染sh-Fsp27干扰载体,以杨梅素浓度为100μmol/L的完全培养基干预成熟脂肪细胞72h。油红O染色,观察脂滴形态及大小的变化;酶法测定细胞内甘油及甘油三酯的含量,观察细胞脂质代谢的变化。Western blot检测Fsp27、激素敏感性甘油三酯脂肪酶(HSL)、甘油三酯脂肪酶(ATGL)以及丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)信号通路蛋白的表达。结果:1. 3T3-L1细胞诱导分化后,形态由纤维样变成圆形,并伴随有细胞体积的增大。2.与对照组相比,杨梅素组和转染组细胞中甘油三酯含量下降,甘油含量升高(P 0. 05)。与其他三组相比,联合干预组细胞中甘油三酯含量减少,甘油含量增加(P 0. 05)。3.与对照组相比,其余三组细胞内Fsp27蛋白的表达量均降低,ATGL和PPARγ的表达量升高(P 0. 05)。另外,联合干预组和杨梅素组细胞内HSL的表达量和p-p38MAPK/p38MAPK的比值均大于sh-Fsp27组和对照组(P 0. 05)。结论:1. Fsp27基因沉默与杨梅素联合干预可以更大程度地促进脂肪分解代谢。2.杨梅素可通过激活MAPK信号通路,上调HSL和ATGL的蛋白表达来发挥其促脂解的作用; sh-Fsp27干扰载体通过调节PPARγ和Fsp27蛋白的表达,增加ATGL含量来加速脂肪分解。     

新型荧光探针mMaple3与mEos3.2应用于Fsp27介导脂滴融合的功能研究

目的:Fsp27已经被证明定位在脂滴上并且介导脂滴融合与增大。为研究Fsp27介导脂滴融合的动态分子机制,我们构建了Fsp27-mMaple3和Fsp27-mEos3.2两种新型荧光探针的融合蛋白并研究其对脂滴融合的功能影响,进而为研发Fsp27相关生理功能的光学显像技术奠定基础。方法:对照传统绿色荧光的融合蛋白Fsp27-EGFP,在共聚焦显微镜下观察Fsp27-mMaple3和Fsp27-mEos3.2两种新型融合蛋白的亚细胞定位和介导脂滴融合的功能,并利用荧光漂白恢复术(fluorescence recovery after photo-bleaching,FRAP)以判断脂滴与脂滴之间是否存在脂的交换。结果:表达Fsp27-mMaple3和Fsp27-mEos3.2两种新型融合蛋白的细胞中脂滴显著增大;同时,融合蛋白皆集中在脂滴与脂滴的接触位点上,且中性脂的交换实验显示脂滴与脂滴之间可以相互连通。结论:我们建构的两种新型荧光探针融合蛋白Fsp27-mMaple3和Fsp27-mEos3.2保持了Fsp27介导脂滴融合的功能,并为我们进一步研发新型的超分辨光学显像技术提供功能基础。     

MiR-186-5p对3T3-L1前脂肪细胞增殖分化的影响研究 *

目的 探究miR-186-5p对小鼠3T3-L1前脂肪细胞增殖,分化的影响及其潜在的分子机制.方法: qRT-PCR检测miR-186-5p在不同周龄小鼠白色脂肪组织及3T3-L1前脂肪细胞增殖分化过程中的表达变化;通过脂质体将miR-186-5p mimics,inhibitors转染入增殖液或分化液培养的3T3-L1细胞后,利用CCK-8,EdU和qRT-PCR检测3T3-L1前脂肪细胞增殖变化,油红O染色观察其脂滴形态;通过生物信息软件TargetScan和双荧光报告系统分别对miR-186-5p靶基因进行预测和确认.结果: (1)miR-186-5p在1~6周龄小鼠的白色脂肪组织及3T3-L1前脂肪细胞自然分化过程中表达量均逐渐上调.(2)与阴性对照相比,mimics或inhibitors转染分别显著地促进或抑制了miR-186-5p的表达.(3)过表达miR-186-5p后,3T3-L1前脂肪细胞的增殖速率减慢,脂滴增大增多;而抑制miR-186-5p后,3T3-L1前脂肪细胞增殖速率增快,脂滴数量减少,且粒径变小.其中过表达miR-186-5p显著地降低了野生型Wnt5a和Mapk1 3'-UTR活性,而突变相应的绑定位点可解除该抑制作用.结论: miR-186-5p可抑制3T3-L1前脂肪细胞增殖,且通过直接靶向Wnt5a和Mapk1以促进其分化为成熟脂肪细胞.     

MiR-186-5p对3T3-L1前脂肪细胞增殖分化的影响研究

目的:探究miR-186-5p对小鼠3T3-L1前脂肪细胞增殖、分化的影响及其潜在的分子机制。方法:qRT-PCR检测miR-186-5p在不同周龄小鼠白色脂肪组织及3T3-L1前脂肪细胞增殖分化过程中的表达变化;通过脂质体将miR-186-5p mimics、inhibitors转染入增殖液或分化液培养的3T3-L1细胞后,利用CCK-8、EdU和qRT-PCR检测3T3-L1前脂肪细胞增殖变化,油红O染色观察其脂滴形态;通过生物信息软件TargetScan和双荧光报告系统分别对miR-186-5p靶基因进行预测和确认。结果:(1) miR-186-5p在1～6周龄小鼠的白色脂肪组织及3T3-L1前脂肪细胞自然分化过程中表达量均逐渐上调。(2)与阴性对照相比,mimics或inhibitors转染分别显著地促进或抑制了miR-186-5p的表达。(3)过表达miR-186-5p后,3T3-L1前脂肪细胞的增殖速率减慢,脂滴增大增多;而抑制miR-186-5p后,3T3-L1前脂肪细胞增殖速率增快,脂滴数量减少,且粒径变小。其中过表达miR-186-5p显著地降低了野生型Wnt5a和Mapk1 3'-UTR活性,而突变相应的绑定位点可解除该抑制作用。结论:miR-186-5p可抑制3T3-L1前脂肪细胞增殖,且通过直接靶向Wnt5a和Mapk1以促进其分化为成熟脂肪细胞。     

脂肪组织甘油三酯水解酶参与脂肪分解调控

循环中游离脂肪酸增高与肥胖、胰岛素抵抗和2型糖尿病密切相关,其主要来源于脂肪细胞内甘油三酯水解.调控脂肪分解的脂肪酶主要包括激素敏感脂肪酶(hormone-sensitive lipase,HSL)和最近发现的脂肪组织甘油三酯水解酶(adipose triglyceride lipase,ATGL),后者主要分布在脂肪组织,特异水解甘油三酯为甘油二酯,其转录水平受多种因素调控.CGI-58(属于α/β水解酶家族蛋白),可以活化ATGL,基础条件下该蛋白和脂滴包被蛋白(perilipin)紧密结合于脂滴表面,蛋白激酶A激活刺激脂肪分解时,CGI-58与perilipin分离,进而活化ATGL.     

MiR-125a-5p抑制3T3-L1前体脂肪细胞分化

MicroRNAs(miRNAs) 是一类在脂肪组织发育中发挥重要作用的小非编码RNA. 为探明miR-125a-5p在3T3-L1前体脂肪细胞中的作用,采用实时qPCR检测了miR-125a-5p在小鼠各组织及3T3-L1前体脂肪细胞分化过程中的表达|使用经化学修饰的miR-125a-5p模拟物agomir及抑制剂antagomir转染3T3-L1前体脂肪细胞,采用实时qPCR 和 Western印迹检测成脂标志基因Pparγ和aP2的表达,油红O染色观察脂肪细胞脂质积累. 结果显示,miR-125-5p在小鼠脂肪组织中高丰度表达,在3T3-L1前体脂肪细胞分化过程中表达下降.过表达miR-125a-5p,与对照组相比,成脂标志基因Pparγ和aP2在mRNA和蛋白质水平均明显下降|油红O染色及定量结果显示脂质积累减少. 抑制剂处理结果显示,Pparγ和aP2在mRNA和蛋白质水平均有不同程度上升,但油红O染色及定量结果差异不显著. 以上结果表明,miR-125a-5p在脂肪细胞分化中发挥负调控作用.     

miR-196a-5p对3T3-L1前脂肪细胞增殖和分化的影响效应

目的:探究miR-196a-5p对小鼠前体脂肪细胞增殖、分化的影响及其潜在的分子机制。方法:(1)构建小鼠肥胖模型,RT-PCR检测脂肪组织中miR-196a-5p表达量;(2)鸡尾酒法诱导3T3-L1前脂肪细胞分化,RT-PCR检测分化过程中miR-196a-5p的表达变化;(3)合成miR-196a-5p mimics和inhibitors转染3T3-L1细胞,以CCK8、EdU试剂盒检测miR-196a-5p对3T3-L1前脂肪细胞增殖的影响作用;(4)运用油红O染色、甘油三酯测定评估miR-196a-5p对3T3-L1细胞分化的影响;(5) RT-PCR检测miR-196a-5p对前脂肪细胞增殖、分化相关基因的影响;(6)结合前人文献,运用生物信息软件、萤光素酶报告系统对miR-196a-5p调控脂肪细胞分化的靶基因进行筛选和验证。结果:(1) miR-196a-5p在肥胖小鼠脂肪组织中高表达,在3T3-L1前脂肪细胞分化过程中先升高后下降;(2)与阴性对照组相比,mimics转染抑制了3T3-L1细胞增殖,inhibitors转染促进了3T3-L1细胞增殖;(3)与阴性对照组相比,mimics组积累了大量油红着色的脂滴,甘油三酯含量增多,而inhibitors组的脂滴少而小,甘油三酯含量相对降低;(4)与阴性对照组相比,mimics转染抑制了增殖标志基因Cyclin D1、Cyclin E、CDK2和CDK4表达,促进了分化标志基因PPARγ、C/EBPα、LPL、aP2等的表达,inhibitors转染则表现出与mimics转染相反的作用;(5) miR-196a-5p可显著抑制野生型MAP4K3和MAPK1 3'UTR萤光素酶活性,而突变绑定位点可废除该抑制效应。结论:miR-196a-5p不仅可抑制3T3-L1前脂肪细胞增殖,还可促进其诱导分化、沉积脂滴;miR-196a-5p可能通过靶向调节MAP4K3和MAPK1来介导3T3-L1前脂肪细胞分化。     

一种调控脂解的重要蛋白——围脂滴蛋白(Perilipin)

围脂滴蛋白（perilipin）是脂滴相关蛋白家族的核心成员之一,是定位于脂滴表面的高磷酸化的蛋白,对脂肪组织中甘油三酯的代谢有双重调节作用,既可通过阻止脂肪酶接近脂滴降低基础状态下的脂解,又可促进激素刺激的脂肪分解.Perilipin在脂代谢中发挥重要作用,其表达调控可能与肥胖及其相关代谢疾病如糖尿病、胰岛素抵抗等有重要关系.本文主要介绍了perilipin的发现、命名、结构特征以及激素和转录因子对perilipin的调控,并阐述了其与相关脂肪酶间的相互作用.目前的研究主要集中于围脂滴蛋白（perilipin）和激素敏感脂肪酶（HSL）之间,与新近发现的脂肪酶脂肪三酰甘油脂酶（ATGL）的相互作用则有待于进一步研究.     

Cidea controls lipid droplet fusion and lipid storage in brown and white adipose tissue

Excess lipid storage in adipose tissue results in the development of obesity and other metabolic disorders including diabetes,fatty liver and cardiovascular diseases.The lipid droplet(LD)is an important subcellular organelle responsible for lipid storage.We previously observed that Fsp27,a member of the CIDE family proteins,is localized to LD-contact sites and promotes atypical LD fusion and growth.Cidea,a close homolog of Fsp27,is expressed at high levels in brown adipose tissue.However,the exact role of Cidea in promoting LD fusion and lipid storage in adipose tissue remains unknown.Here,we expressed Cidea in Fsp27-knockdown adipocytes and observed that Cidea has similar activity to Fsp27 in promoting lipid storage and LD fusion and growth.Next,we generated Cidea and Fsp27 double-deficient mice and observed that these animals had drastically reduced adipose tissue mass and a strong lean phenotype.In addition,Cidea/Fsp27 double-deficient mice had improved insulin sensitivity and were intolerant to cold.Furthermore,we observed that the brown and white adipose tissues of Cidea/Fsp27double-deficient mice had significantly reduced lipid storage and contained smaller LDs compared to those of Cidea or Fsp27single deficient mice.Overall,these data reveal an important role of Cidea in controlling lipid droplet fusion,lipid storage in brown and white adipose tissue,and the development of obesity.     

Up-regulation of mitochondrial activity and acquirement of brown adipose tissue-like property in the white adipose tissue of fsp27 deficient mice

Fsp27, a member of the Cide family proteins, was shown to localize to lipid droplet and promote lipid storage in adipocytes. We aimed to understand the biological role of Fsp27 in regulating adipose tissue differentiation, insulin sensitivity and energy balance. Fsp27(-/-) mice and Fsp27/lep double deficient mice were generated and we examined the adiposity, whole body metabolism, BAT and WAT morphology, insulin sensitivity, mitochondrial activity, and gene expression changes in these mouse strains. Furthermore, we isolated mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) from wildtype and Fsp27(-/-) mice, followed by their differentiation into adipocytes in vitro. We found that Fsp27 is expressed in both brown adipose tissue (BAT) and white adipose tissue (WAT) and its levels were significantly elevated in the WAT and liver of leptin-deficient ob/ob mice. Fsp27(-/-) mice had increased energy expenditure, lower levels of plasma triglycerides and free fatty acids. Furthermore, Fsp27(-/-)and Fsp27/lep double-deficient mice are resistant to diet-induced obesity and display increased insulin sensitivity. Moreover, white adipocytes in Fsp27(-/-) mice have reduced triglycerides accumulation and smaller lipid droplets, while levels of mitochondrial proteins, mitochondrial size and activity are dramatically increased. We further demonstrated that BAT-specific genes and key metabolic controlling factors such as FoxC2, PPAR and PGC1alpha were all markedly upregulated. In contrast, factors inhibiting BAT differentiation such as Rb, p107 and RIP140 were down-regulated in the WAT of Fsp27(-/-) mice. Remarkably, Fsp27(-/-) MEFs differentiated in vitro show many brown adipocyte characteristics in the presence of the thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3). Our data thus suggest that Fsp27 acts as a novel regulator in vivo to control WAT identity, mitochondrial activity and insulin sensitivity.     

Fat-specific Protein 27 Undergoes Ubiquitin-dependent Degradation Regulated by Triacylglycerol Synthesis and Lipid Droplet Formation

The fat-specific protein 27 (Fsp27), a protein localized to lipid droplets (LDs), plays an important role in controlling lipid storage and mitochondrial activity in adipocytes. Fsp27-null mice display increased energy expenditure and are resistant to high fat diet-induced obesity and diabetes. However, little is known about how the Fsp27 protein is regulated. Here, we show that Fsp27 stability is controlled by the ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation pathway in adipocytes. The ubiquitination of Fsp27 is regulated by three lysine residues located in the C-terminal region. Substitution of these lysine residues with alanines greatly increased Fsp27 stability and enhanced lipid storage in adipocytes. Furthermore, Fsp27 was stabilized and rapidly accumulated following treatment with β-agonists that induce lipolysis and fatty acid re-esterification in adipocytes. More importantly, Fsp27 stabilization was dependent on triacylglycerol synthesis and LD formation, because knockdown of diacylglycerol acyltransferase in adipocytes significantly reduced Fsp27 accumulation in adipocytes. Finally, we observed that increased Fsp27 during β-agonist treatment preferentially associated with LDs. Taken together, our data revealed that Fsp27 can be stabilized by free fatty acid availability, triacylglycerol synthesis, and LD formation. The stabilization of Fsp27 when free fatty acids are abundant further enhances lipid storage, providing positive feedback to regulate lipid storage in adipocytes.     

The central role of perilipin a in lipid metabolism and adipocyte lipolysis

The related disorders of obesity and diabetes are increasing to epidemic proportions. The role of neutral lipid storage and hydrolysis, and hence the adipocyte, is central to understanding this phenomenon. The adipocyte holds the major source of stored energy in the body in the form of triacylglycerols (TAG). It has been known for over 35 years that the breakdown of TAG and release of free (unesterified) fatty acids and glycerol from fat tissue can be regulated by a cAMP-mediated process. However, beyond the initial signaling cascade, the mechanistic details of this lipolytic reaction have remained unclear. Work in recent years has revealed that both hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), generally thought to be the rate-limiting enzyme, and perilipin, a lipid droplet surface protein, are required for optimal lipid storage and fatty acid release. There are multiple perilipin proteins encoded by mRNA splice variants of a single perilipin gene. The perilipin proteins are polyphosphorylated by protein kinase A and phosphorylation is necessary for translocation of HSL to the lipid droplet and enhanced lipolysis. Hence, the surface of the lipid storage droplet has emerged as a central site of regulation of lipolysis. This review will focus on adipocyte lipolysis with emphasis on hormone signal transduction, lipolytic enzymes, the lipid storage droplet, and fatty acid release from the adipocyte.     

Comparative studies of the role of hormone-sensitive lipase and adipose triglyceride lipase in human fat cell lipolysis

Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) regulate adipocyte lipolysis in rodents. The purpose of this study was to compare the roles of these lipases for lipolysis in human adipocytes. Subcutaneous adipose tissue was investigated. HSL and ATGL protein expression were related to lipolysis in isolated mature fat cells. ATGL or HSL were knocked down by RNA interference (RNAi) or selectively inhibited, and effects on lipolysis were studied in differentiated preadipocytes or adipocytes derived from human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC). Subjects were all women. There were 12 lean controls, 8 lean with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and 27 otherwise healthy obese subjects. We found that norepinephrine-induced lipolysis was positively correlated with HSL protein levels (P < 0.0001) but not with ATGL protein. Women with PCOS or obesity had significantly decreased norepinephrine-induced lipolysis and HSL protein expression but no change in ATGL protein expression. HSL knock down by RNAi reduced basal and catecholamine-induced lipolysis. Knock down of ATGL decreased basal lipolysis but did not change catecholamine-stimulated lipolysis. Treatment of hMSC with a selective HSL inhibitor during and/or after differentiation in adipocytes reduced basal lipolysis by 50%, but stimulated lipolysis was inhibited completely. In contrast to findings in rodents, ATGL is of less importance than HSL in regulating catecholamine-induced lipolysis and cannot replace HSL when this enzyme is continuously inhibited. However, both lipases regulate basal lipolysis in human adipocytes. ATGL expression, unlike HSL, is not influenced by obesity or PCOS.     

Perilipin overexpression in white adipose tissue induces a brown fat-like phenotype

Background

Perilipin A (PeriA) exclusively locates on adipocyte lipid droplets and is essential for lipid storage and lipolysis. Previously, we reported that adipocyte specific overexpression of PeriA caused resistance to diet-induced obesity and resulted in improved insulin sensitivity. In order to better understand the biological basis for this observed phenotype, we performed additional studies in this transgenic mouse model.

Methodology and Principal Findings

When compared to control animals, whole body energy expenditure was increased in the transgenic mice. Subsequently, we performed DNA microarray analysis and real-time PCR on white adipose tissue. Consistent with the metabolic chamber data, we observed increased expression of genes associated with fatty acid β-oxidation and heat production, and a decrease in the genes associated with lipid synthesis. Gene expression of Pgc1a, a regulator of fatty acid oxidation and Ucp1, a brown adipocyte specific protein, was increased in the white adipose tissue of the transgenic mice. This observation was subsequently verified by both Western blotting and histological examination. Expression of RIP140, a regulator of white adipocyte differentiation, and the lipid droplet protein FSP27 was decreased in the transgenic mice. Importantly, FSP27 has been shown to control gene expression of these crucial metabolic regulators. Overexpression of PeriA in 3T3-L1 adipocytes also reduced FSP27 expression and diminished lipid droplet size.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate that overexpression of PeriA in white adipocytes reduces lipid droplet size by decreasing FSP27 expression and thereby inducing a brown adipose tissue-like phenotype. Our data suggest that modulation of lipid droplet proteins in white adipocytes is a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of obesity and its related disorders.     

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ-dependent regulation of lipolytic nodes and metabolic flexibility

Optimal lipid storage and mobilization are essential for efficient adipose tissue. Nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) regulates adipocyte differentiation and lipid deposition, but its role in lipolysis and dysregulation in obesity is not well defined. This investigation aimed to understand the molecular impact of dysfunctional PPARγ on the lipolytic axis and to explore whether these defects are also confirmed in common forms of human obesity. For this purpose, we used the P465L PPARγ mouse as a model of dysfunctional PPARγ that recapitulates the human pparγ mutation (P467L). We demonstrated that defective PPARγ impairs catecholamine-induced lipolysis. This abnormal lipolytic response is exacerbated by a state of positive energy balance in leptin-deficient ob/ob mice. We identified the protein kinase A (PKA) network as a PPARγ-dependent regulatory node of the lipolytic response. Specifically, defective PPARγ is associated with decreased basal expression of prkaca (PKAcatα) and d-akap1, the lipase genes Pnplaz (ATGL) and Lipe (HSL), and lipid droplet protein genes fsp27 and adrp in vivo and in vitro. Our data indicate that PPARγ is required for activation of the lipolytic regulatory network, dysregulation of which is an important feature of obesity-induced insulin resistance in humans.     

Calyculin and okadaic acid promote perilipin phosphorylation and increase lipolysis in primary rat adipocytes

Lipolysis is primarily regulated by protein kinase A (PKA), which phosphorylates perilipin and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), and causes translocation of HSL from cytosol to lipid droplets in adipocytes. Perilipin coats lipid droplet surface and assumes to prevent lipase access to triacylglycerols, thus inhibiting basal lipolysis; phosphorylated perilipin facilitates lipolysis on PKA activation. Here, we induced lipolysis in primary rat adipocytes by inhibiting protein serine/threonine phosphatase with specific inhibitors, okadaic acid and calyculin. The incubation with calyculin promotes incorporation of 32Pi into perilipins, thus, confirming that perilipin is hyperphosphorylated. The lipolysis response to calyculin is gradually accompanied by increased accumulation of phosphorylated perilipin A in a concentration- and time-responsive manner. When perilipin phosphorylation is abrogated by the addition of N-ethylmaleimide, lipolysis ceases. Different from a considerable translocation of HSL upon PKA activation with isoproterenol, calyculin does not alter HSL redistribution in primary or differentiated adipocytes, as confirmed by both immunostaining and immunoblotting. Thus, we suggest that inhibition of the phosphatase by calyculin activates lipolysis via promoting perilipin phosphorylation rather than eliciting HSL translocation in adipocytes. Further, we show that when the endogenous phosphatase is inhibited by calyculin, simultaneous PKA activation with isoproterenol converts most of the perilipin to the hyperphosphorylated species, and induces enhanced lipolysis. Apparently, as PKA phosphorylates perilipin and stimulates lipolysis, the phosphatase acts to dephosphorylate perilipin and attenuate lipolysis. This suggests a two-step strategy governed by a kinase and a phosphatase to modulate the steady state of perilipin phosphorylation and hence the lipolysis response to hormonal stimulation.