Detection and identification of subcutaneous adipose tissue protein related to obesity in New Zealand obese mouse

New Zealand obese (NZO) mouse, a genetic model of obesity, shows hyperphagia, hyperinsulinemia and leptin resistance. We analyzed subcutaneous adipose tissue proteins in NZO mice with a two-dimensional gel electrophoresis technique followed by protein sequence analysis. NZO mice showed hyperinsulinemia and hyperleptinemia. Abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue was inspected in NZO and C57BL/6J lean mice. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis detected 4 spots which were obviously reduced in NZO mice. Those spots were p26, p19, p18 and p15. Internal sequences of the p26 and p15 protein were homologous with those of carbonic anhydrase III, p19 was cytochrome b5, p18 was superoxide dismutase. Serum arachidonic acid level in NZO mice was lower by 80% of C57BL/6J mice. The present study demonstrated the reduction of several enzymes related to lipid metabolism in NZO mice. These data raises the hypothesis that the supposed changes of membrane fluidity caused by altered membrane lipid content may involve central leptin resistance of this model of obesity.