Beta-carotene reduces body adiposity of mice via BCMO1.

ABSTRACT: Evidence from cell culture studies indicates that β-carotene-(BC)-derived apocarotenoid signaling molecules can modulate the activities of nuclear receptors that regulate many aspects of adipocyte physiology. Two BC metabolizing enzymes, the BC-15,15'-oxygenase (Bcmo1) and the BC-9',10'-oxygenase (Bcdo2) are expressed in adipocytes. Bcmo1 catalyzes the conversion of BC into retinaldehyde and Bcdo2 into β-10'-apocarotenal and β-ionone. Here we analyzed the impact of BC on body adiposity of mice. To genetically dissect the roles of Bcmo1 and Bcdo2 in this process, we used wild-type and Bcmo1(-/-) mice for this study. In wild-type mice, BC was converted into retinoids. In contrast, Bcmo1(-/-) mice showed increased expression of Bcdo2 in adipocytes and β-10'-apocarotenol accumulated as the maj

SUBMITTER: Amengual J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3106009 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature