Ablation of PRDM16 and beige adipose causes metabolic dysfunction and a subcutaneous to visceral fat switch.

ABSTRACT: A clear relationship exists between visceral obesity and type 2 diabetes, whereas subcutaneous obesity is comparatively benign. Here, we show that adipocyte-specific deletion of the coregulatory protein PRDM16 caused minimal effects on classical brown fat but markedly inhibited beige adipocyte function in subcutaneous fat following cold exposure or β3-agonist treatment. These animals developed obesity on a high-fat diet, with severe insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis. They also showed altered fat distribution with markedly increased subcutaneous adiposity. Subcutaneous adipose tissue in mutant mice acquired many key properties of visceral fat, including decreased thermogenic and increased inflammatory gene expression and increased macrophage accumulation. Transplantation of subcutane

SUBMITTER: Cohen P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3922400 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature