Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, p21WAF1/CIP1, is involved in adipocyte differentiation and hypertrophy, linking to obesity, and insulin resistance.

ABSTRACT: Both adipocyte hyperplasia and hypertrophy are determinant factors for adipocyte differentiation during the development of obesity. p21(WAF1/CIP1), a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, is induced during adipocyte differentiation; however, its precise contribution to this process is unknown. Using both in vitro and in vivo systems, we show that p21 is crucial for maintaining adipocyte hypertrophy and obesity-induced insulin resistance. The absence of p21 in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts by RNA-mediated interference knockdown or in embryonic fibroblasts from p21(-/-) mice impaired adipocyte differentiation, resulting in smaller adipocytes. Despite normal adipose tissue mass on a normal diet, p21(-/-) mice fed high energy diets had reduced adipose tissue mass and adipocyte size accompanied by a marked i

SUBMITTER: Inoue N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3258954 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature