Project description:The LIM-domain-only protein FHL2 is a modulator of signal transduction and has been shown to direct the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells toward osteoblasts and myocytes phenotypes. We hypothesized that FHL2 may simultaneously interfere with the induction of the adipocyte lineage. Therefore, we investigated the role of FHL2 in adipocyte differentiation using pre-adipocytes isolated from mouse adipose tissue and the 3T3-L1 (pre)adipocyte cell line. Here we report that FHL2 is expressed in pre-adipocytes and for accurate adipocyte differentiation, this protein needs to be downregulated during the early stages of adipogenesis. More specifically, constitutive overexpression of FHL2 drastically inhibits adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells, which was demonstrated by suppressed activation of the adipogenic gene expression program as shown by extensive RNAseq analyses, and diminished lipid accumulation. To identify the protein-protein interactions mediating this repressive activity of FHL2 on adipogenesis, we performed affinity-purification mass spectrometry (AP-MS). This analysis revealed the interaction of FHL2 with the Nuclear factor of activated T-cells 5 (NFAT5), an established inhibitor of adipocyte differentiation. NFAT5 knockdown rescued the inhibitory effect of FHL2 overexpression on 3T3-L1 differentiation, indicating that these proteins act cooperatively. In conclusion, we present a new regulatory function of FHL2 in early adipocyte differentiation and revealed that FHL2-mediated inhibition of pre-adipocyte differentiation is dependent on its interaction with NFAT5.
Project description:We profiled miRNAs in 3T3-L1 adipocyte-secreted exosomes and our microarray analysis revealed that more than 300 exosomal miRNAs were detected during adipocyte differentiation.
Project description:ALDH2 activator, Alda-1, is able to increase the catalytic activity of ALDH2. ALDH2 expression negatively correlates with obesity in mice while 4-HNE accumulation is positively associated with obesity and is increased in terminal adipocyte differentiation. We compared the difference of transcription profile between ethanol (EtOH)-treated and Alda-1-treated cells in induced adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes.
Project description:Here we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the proteome of the widely used 3T3-L1 murine adipocyte laboratory cell line at 10-days post-differentiation.
Project description:Here, we identified temporal dynamics in the proteome during adipocyte differentiation of the murine 3T3-L1 cells, applying untargeted proteomics. Samples were taken at initiation of differentiation, at an intermediate and terminal time point.
