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Visualization and Quantification of Brown and Beige Adipose Tissues in Mice using [18F]FDG Micro-PET/MR Imaging
Published on: July 1, 2021
Target identification of the novel antiobesity agent tungstate in adipose tissue from obese rats
Sílvia Barceló-Batllori1, Helena Corominola, Marc Claret
1Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit, Laboratory of Experimental Diabetes, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Villaroel 170, E-08036 Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract:
Adipose tissue plays an active role in the development of obesity, and thus characterization of the molecular changes related to obesity in this tissue is a priority. Recently, we identified tungstate as a potent body weight reducing agent in obese animals, adipose tissue being one of the targets of its action. In this study a proteomics approach combining 2-DE and MS was used to identify proteins associated with obesity and targets of tungstate in white adipose tissue. Twenty-nine proteins were found differentially expressed between lean and diet-induced obese rats. Expression changes in transferrin, vimentin, vinculin, peroxiredoxins, Rho-GTP dissociation inhibitor, grifin, guanine deaminase and 3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase were associated here for the first time with obesity. Furthermore, tungstate treatment of obese rats reverted expression changes of 70% of the proteins modulated by obesity and another ten proteins were regulated by tungstate independently of the body weight reduction. The results suggest that the tungstate antiobesity effect can be mediated by the modulation of cellular structure, metabolism, redox state and signalling processes in adipose tissue. These findings open new avenues for the study of the aetiology of obesity and its treatment.
Insights
Tungstate effectively reduces body weight in obese rats by modulating proteins in white adipose tissue. This study identifies novel obesity-related proteins and reveals tungstate
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Metabolomics
Background:
- Adipose tissue actively contributes to obesity development.
- Understanding molecular changes in adipose tissue is crucial for obesity research.
- Tungstate has shown potential as a body weight-reducing agent, targeting adipose tissue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify proteins associated with obesity in white adipose tissue using proteomics.
- To investigate the effects of tungstate on protein expression in obese adipose tissue.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying tungstate's anti-obesity effects.
Main Methods:
- Proteomics approach utilizing 2-DE (two-dimensional electrophoresis) and MS (mass spectrometry).
- Comparative analysis of protein expression in lean versus diet-induced obese rats.
- Assessment of protein expression changes following tungstate treatment in obese rats.
Main Results:
- Twenty-nine proteins exhibited differential expression between lean and obese rats.
- Novel obesity-associated proteins include transferrin, vimentin, vinculin, peroxiredoxins, Rho-GTP dissociation inhibitor, grifin, guanine deaminase, and 3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase.
- Tungstate treatment reversed obesity-induced expression changes in 70% of identified proteins and regulated ten additional proteins independently of body weight reduction.
Conclusions:
- Tungstate's anti-obesity effects may involve modulation of cellular structure, metabolism, redox state, and signaling pathways in adipose tissue.
- The study identifies new protein targets for obesity research and potential therapeutic strategies.
- Findings offer new insights into the etiology and treatment of obesity.

