Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis
08:34

Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis

Published on: June 3, 2016

TRB2, a mouse Tribbles ortholog, suppresses adipocyte differentiation by inhibiting AKT and C/EBPbeta

Takahiro Naiki1, Eiko Saijou, Yuichiro Miyaoka

  • 1Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan.

The Journal of Biological Chemistry
|June 20, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Mammalian Tribbles (TRBs) regulate adipocyte differentiation. TRB2 and TRB3 suppress fat cell formation by inhibiting Akt activation and promoting C/EBPbeta degradation, revealing their roles in adipogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Adipocyte differentiation is a complex process regulated by various signaling pathways and transcription factors.
  • Mammalian Tribbles (TRBs) are homologs of Drosophila Tribbles and their role in adipogenesis is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of TRB proteins in the regulation of adipocyte differentiation.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which TRB2 and TRB3 affect adipogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Using 3T3-L1 preadipocytes to study adipocyte differentiation.
  • Employing forced expression and knockdown (siRNA) of TRB genes.
  • Assessing Akt activation and C/EBPbeta levels.
  • Utilizing proteasome inhibition assays.

Main Results:

  • TRB2 and TRB3 were down-regulated by differentiation stimuli in 3T3-L1 cells.
  • Forced expression of TRB2 and TRB3 inhibited adipocyte differentiation.
  • TRB3 severely inhibited Akt activation, while TRB2 reduced C/EBPbeta levels via proteasome-dependent degradation.
  • Knockdown of endogenous TRB2 enhanced adipocyte differentiation.

Conclusions:

  • TRB2 and TRB3 play inhibitory roles in adipocyte differentiation.
  • TRB2's strong inhibitory effect is attributed to both Akt inhibition and C/EBPbeta degradation.
  • TRB proteins are key regulators of adipogenesis, offering potential therapeutic targets.

More Related Videos

Semi-Automated Isolation of the Stromal Vascular Fraction from Murine White Adipose Tissue Using a Tissue Dissociator06:08

Semi-Automated Isolation of the Stromal Vascular Fraction from Murine White Adipose Tissue Using a Tissue Dissociator

Published on: May 19, 2023

An Adipocyte Cell Culture Model to Study the Impact of Protein and Micro-RNA Modulation on Adipocyte Function09:20

An Adipocyte Cell Culture Model to Study the Impact of Protein and Micro-RNA Modulation on Adipocyte Function

Published on: May 4, 2021

Related Concept Videos

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a rapamycin-insensitive companion...
TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

TGF - β Signaling Pathway

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...
Master Transcription Regulators02:23

Master Transcription Regulators

Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a  complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...