Functional analysis of the chicken PPARγ gene 5'-flanking region and C/EBPα-mediated gene regulation

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α (C/EBPα) are the master regulators of adipogenesis. The regulatory mechanism of PPARγ and C/EBPα gene expression is clear in mammals, however, little is known in chicken. The aim of the present study was to characterize chicken PPARγ promoter and investigate whether PPARγ could be regulated by C/EBPα in chickens. A 2-kb nucleotide sequence upstream of the start codon of chicken PPARγ gene was cloned and characterized by using bioinformatics and experimental approaches. This 2-kb promoter region exhibited strong promoter activity in DF1 cells. The reporter gene assay showed that the chicken C/EBPα could activate PPARγ gene promoter. Further study by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and mutational analysis revealed that the chicken C/EBPα could directly bind to and regulate the PPARγ gene promoter. Our results demonstrate that PPARγ can be directly regulated by C/EBPα in chickens.     

视黄酸X受体α促进猪前体脂肪细胞分化

采用细胞转染、油红O染色、油红O染色提取法、GPDH活性测定、semi-qRT-PCR等方法研究了视黄酸X受体α (retinoic acid X receptor α, RXRα)在猪原代前体脂肪细胞分化中的作用及其机理.结果表明,转染pRXRα-EGFP促进了猪前体脂肪细胞RXRα 的表达,脂肪细胞分化能力随之增强, 脂肪细胞GPDH活性、分化转录因子PPARγ和C/EBPαmRNA表达水平均显著升高(P<0.05). 结果提示,RXRα可能通过调控过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ(peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor-γ, PPARγ)和CAAT/增强子结合蛋白家族（CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins, C/EBP）C/EBPα 基因表达变化促进猪前体脂肪细胞分化.     

Neudesin, an extracellular heme-binding protein, suppresses adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells via the MAPK cascade

Adult mice abundantly express neudesin, an extracellular heme-binding protein with neurotrophic activity, in white adipose tissues. At the early stage of adipocyte differentiation during adipogenesis, however, the expression of neudesin decreased transiently. Neudesin-hemin significantly suppressed adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. The knockdown of neudesin by RNA interference markedly promoted adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells and decreased MAPK activation during adipocyte differentiation. The addition or knockdown of neudesin affected the expression of C/EBPα and PPARγ but not of C/EBPβ. These findings suggest that neudesin plays a critical role in the early stage of adipocyte differentiation in which C/EBPβ induces PPARγ and C/EBPα expressions, by controlling the MAPK pathway.     

β-Catenin mediates the anti-adipogenic effect of baicalin

β-Catenin reportedly inhibits adipogenesis through the down-regulations of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)α. We report that baicalin, a natural flavonoid compound, inhibits adipogenesis by modulating β-Catenin. During 3T3-L1 cell adipogenesis, β-Catenin was down-regulated, but baicalin treatment maintained β-Catenin expression. Anti-adipogenic effects of baicalin were significantly attenuated by β-Catenin siRNA transfection. β-Catenin siRNA rescued the reduced expressions of PPARγ, C/EBPα, fatty acid binding protein 4 and lipoprotein lipase by baicalin. Furthermore, baicalin modulated members of the WNT/β-Catenin pathway by maintaining the expressions of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6, disheveled (DVL)2 and DVL3. These findings suggest that β-Catenin mediates the anti-adipogenic effects of baicalin.     

The anti-adipogenic effects of (-)epigallocatechin gallate are dependent on the WNT/β-catenin pathway

(-)Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant catechin in green tea and reportedly has anti-obesity and anti-adipogenic effects. In this study, we determined that the up-regulation of the WNT/β-catenin pathway is the anti-adipogenic mechanisms of EGCG in 3T3-L1 cells. EGCG treatment down-regulates the expression of major genes involved in the adipogenesis pathway including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)α, fatty acid binding protein (FABP)4 and fatty acid synthase (FASN), while up-regulating the nuclear level of β-catenin. Knockdown of β-catenin using small interfering (si) RNA attenuated the inhibitory effects of EGCG on intracellular lipid accumulation. β-catenin siRNA transfection also recovered terminal adipocyte markers such as FABP4, FASN, lipoprotein lipase and adiponectin, which were down-regulated by EGCG. The DNA binding activities as well as the expression levels of PPARγ and C/EBPα, which were down-regulated by EGCG, were significantly restored by β-catenin siRNA transfection. In addition, we found that EGCG efficiently up-regulates the WNT/β-catenin pathway. Among the members of the WNT/β-catenin pathway, the expressions of low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP)5, LRP6, disheveled (DVL)2 and DVL3 were significantly up-regulated, while AXIN expression was down-regulated by EGCG, and the phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β was increased. These results suggest that EGCG activates the WNT/β-catenin pathway, resulting in the up-regulation of β-catenin, which down-regulates the major genes of the adipogenesis pathway. Taken together, our findings clearly show that the anti-adipogenic effects of EGCG are, at least partially, dependent on the WNT/β-catenin pathway.     

The inhibitory effect of dexamethasone on platelet-derived growth factor-induced vascular smooth muscle cell migration through up-regulating PGC-1α expression

Dexamethasone has been shown to inhibit vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration, which is required for preventing restenosis. However, the mechanism underlying effect of dexamethasone remains unknown. We have previously demonstrated that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α) can inhibit VSMC migration and proliferation. Here, we investigated the role of PGC-1α in dexamethasone-reduced VSMC migration and explored the possible mechanism. We first examined PGC-1α expression in cultured rat aortic VSMCs. The results revealed that incubation of VSMCs with dexamethasone could significantly elevate PGC-1α mRNA expression. In contrast, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) decreased PGC-1α expression while stimulating VSMC migration. Mechanistic study showed that suppression of PGC-1α by small interfering RNA strongly abrogated the inhibitory effect of dexamethasone on VSMC migration, whereas overexpression of PGC-1α had the opposite effect. Furthermore, an analysis of MAPK signal pathways showed that dexamethasone inhibited ERK and p38 MAPK phosphorylation in VSMCs. Overexpression of PGC-1α decreased both basal and PDGF-induced p38 MAPK phosphorylation, but it had no effect on ERK phosphorylation. Finally, inhibition of PPARγ activation by a PPARγ antagonist GW9662 abolished the suppressive effects of PGC-1α on p38 MAPK phosphorylation and VSMC migration. These effects of PGC-1α were enhanced by a PPARγ agonist troglitazone. Collectively, our data indicated for the first time that one of the anti-migrated mechanisms of dexamethasone is due to the induction of PGC-1α expression. PGC-1α suppresses PDGF-induced VSMC migration through PPARγ coactivation and, consequently, p38 MAPK inhibition.     

Antiadipogenic effect of carnosic acid,a natural compound present in Rosmarinus officinalis, is exerted through the C/EBPs and PPARγ pathways at the onset of the differentiation program

Background

Obesity is a serious health problem all over the world, and inhibition of adipogenesis constitutes one of the therapeutic strategies for its treatment. Carnosic acid (CA), the main bioactive compound of Rosmarinus officinalis extract, inhibits 3T3-L1 preadipocytes differentiation. However, very little is known about the molecular mechanism responsible for its antiadipogenic effect.

Methods

We evaluated the effect of CA on the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes analyzing the process of mitotic clonal expansion, the level of adipogenic markers, and the subcellular distribution of C/EBPβ.

Results

CA treatment only during the first day of 3T3-L1 differentiation process was enough to inhibit adipogenesis. This inhibition was accompanied by a blockade of mitotic clonal expansion. CA did not interfere with C/EBPβ and C/EBPδ mRNA levels but blocked PPARγ, and FABP4 expression. C/EBPβ has different forms known as LIP and LAP. CA induced an increase in the level of LIP within 24 h of differentiation, leading to an increment in LIP/LAP ratio. Importantly, overexpression of LAP restored the capacity of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes to differentiate in the presence of CA. Finally, CA promoted subnuclear de-localization of C/EBPβ.

Conclusions

CA exerts its anti-adipogenic effect in a multifactorial manner by interfering mitotic clonal expansion, altering the ratio of the different C/EBPβ forms, inducing the loss of C/EBPβ proper subnuclear distribution, and blocking the expression of C/EBPα and PPARγ.

General significance

Understanding the molecular mechanism by which CA blocks adipogenesis is relevant because CA could be new a food additive beneficial for the prevention and/or treatment of obesity.     

Peroxisome Proliferator-activated receptor γ activation by ligands and dephosphorylation induces proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 and low density lipoprotein receptor expression

Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) plays an important role in cholesterol homeostasis by enhancing the degradation of LDL receptor (LDLR) protein. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) has been shown to be atheroprotective. PPARγ can be activated by ligands and/or dephosphorylation with ERK1/2 inhibitors. The effect of PPARγ on PCSK9 and LDLR expression remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of PPARγ on PCSK9 and LDLR expression. At the cellular levels, PPARγ ligands induced PCSK9 mRNA and protein expression in HepG2 cells. PCSK9 expression was induced by inhibition of ERK1/2 activity but inhibited by ERK1/2 activation. The mutagenic study and promoter activity assay suggested that the induction of PCSK9 expression by ERK1/2 inhibitors was tightly linked to PPARγ dephosphorylation. However, PPARγ activation by ligands or ERK1/2 inhibitors induced hepatic LDLR expression. The promoter assay indicated that the induction of LDLR expression by PPARγ was sterol regulatory element-dependent because PPARγ enhanced sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2) processing. In vivo, administration of pioglitazone or U0126 alone increased PCSK9 expression in mouse liver but had little effect on PCSK9 secretion. However, the co-treatment of pioglitazone and U0126 enhanced both PCSK9 expression and secretion. Similar to in vitro, the increased PCSK9 expression by pioglitazone and/or U0126 did not result in decreased LDLR expression and function. In contrast, pioglitazone and/or U0126 increased LDLR protein expression and membrane translocation, SREBP2 processing, and CYP7A1 expression in the liver, which led to decreased total and LDL cholesterol levels in serum. Our results indicate that although PPARγ activation increased PCSK9 expression, PPARγ activation induced LDLR and CYP7A1 expression that enhanced LDL cholesterol metabolism.     

小檗碱对2型糖尿病大鼠肾组织PPARα/δ/γ表达的影响

目的:观察2型糖尿痛大鼠肾组织PPARα/δ/γ蛋白的表达及小檗碱对它们的影响.方法:小剂量注射链脲菌素(35 mg·kg-1,ip)加高糖高脂饲料饲养16周建立2型糖尿病大鼠模型,随后16周每天分别给予低中高剂量小檗碱75、150、300mg·kg-1、非诺贝特100mg·kg1 和罗格列酮4mg·kg-1,处死大鼠后用免疫组化技术检测肾脏组织中PPARα/δ/γ的表达.结果:糖尿病大鼠肾脏中PPARα和PPARδ蛋白表较正常对照大鼠明显降低(P＜0.01),PPARγ表达则较正常对照大鼠明显升高(P＜0.01).中高剂量小檗碱和非诺贝特都能促进糖尿病大鼠肾组织中PPARα和PPARδ的表达(P＜0.01),中高剂量小檗碱和罗格列酮能明显降低PPARγ表达(P＜0.01).结论:糖尿病大鼠肾脏组织中PPARα/δ/γ的表达失常,小檗碱能恢复其表达至接近正常大鼠水平.     

PPARγ与c/EBPα基因在苏太猪不同组织中的表达水平探究

为探究PPARγ与c/EBPα基因在苏太猪不同组织中的表达与脂肪沉积的关系,本实验以10月龄苏太猪为研究对象,运用实时荧光定量PCR (q RT-PCR)技术检测PPARγ与c/EBPα基因mRNA在苏太猪心、肝、脾、肺、肾、胃、背最长肌和皮下脂肪8个组织中的表达水平。结果表明,PPARγ与c/EBPα基因在苏太猪的8个组织中均有不同程度的表达,其中,PPARγ基因在苏太猪脾脏组织中的表达量最高,皮下脂肪中的表达水平仅次于脾;以背最长肌中PPARγ基因的相对表达量作对比,背最长肌与脾、肺和皮下脂肪的相对表达差异极显著(p<0.01),其余为差异不显著(p>0.05),表达量高低顺序为脾>皮下脂肪>肺>心>胃>肾>肝>背最长肌;c/EBPα基因在苏太猪的皮下脂肪的表达量最高,以背最长肌中c/EBPα基因的相对表达量作对比,在肝、脾、皮下脂肪组织中表达差异极显著(p<0.01),肺的相对表达差异显著(p<0.05),其余组织中差异不显著(p>0.05),表达量的高低顺序为皮下脂肪>肝>脾>肺>肾>心>胃>背最长肌。两基因在各组织中表达趋势趋于一致。试验结果表明PPARγ和c/EBPα基因可能对猪脂肪沉积有重要影响。