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An essential role for Dicer in adipocyte differentiation.
Rajini Mudhasani1, Anthony N Imbalzano, Stephen N Jones
1Department of Cell Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655, USA.
Journal of Cellular Biochemistry
|June 22, 2010
Summary
Dicer enzyme activity is essential for adipocyte differentiation, regulating fat cell formation. This study confirms Dicer
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in physiological processes.
- Altered miRNA expression in adipose tissue suggests a role in adipogenesis.
- Direct evidence linking miRNA biogenesis to adipocyte differentiation was lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether Dicer and mature miRNAs regulate adipocyte differentiation.
- To determine the role of Dicer-dependent miRNA biogenesis in adipogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized primary cells from mice with Dicer-conditional alleles.
- Studied adipogenesis in the presence and absence of miRNA biogenesis.
- Assessed the impact of Dicer ablation on cell proliferation and senescence.
Main Results:
- Dicer is indispensable for the adipogenic differentiation of mouse embryonic fibroblasts and pre-adipocytes.
- Dicer's requirement for adipogenesis is independent of miRNA-mediated effects on cell proliferation.
- Preventing senescence via Ink4a locus deletion did not restore adipogenic differentiation after Dicer ablation.
Conclusions:
- Dicer-dependent miRNA biogenesis is a critical regulator of adipocyte differentiation.
- The role of Dicer in adipogenesis is not explained by effects on cell proliferation or senescence.
- This study provides direct evidence for miRNA involvement in fat cell development.
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