Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 11, 2026

11:11
Adipocyte-Specific ATAC-Seq with Adipose Tissues Using Fluorescence-Activated Nucleus Sorting
Published on: March 17, 2023
A chromatin perspective of adipogenesis
Melina M Musri1, Ramon Gomis, Marcelina Párrizas
1Endocrinology and Nutrition Unit, IDIBAPS, CIBERDEM, Barcelona, Spain.
Organogenesis
|July 2, 2010
Summary
New factors influence fat cell development by altering chromatin. This review summarizes recent epigenetic discoveries in adipogenesis and their link to key regulators like PPARγ and C/EBPα.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Adipogenesis, or fat cell differentiation, is crucial for metabolism.
- Master regulators peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPα) orchestrate adipogenesis.
- Recent research reveals novel factors influencing adipogenesis via chromatin modification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent epigenetic events in adipogenesis.
- To connect these epigenetic findings with established transcriptional regulators.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on adipogenesis.
- Analysis of epigenetic mechanisms and chromatin remodeling in adipocyte differentiation.
Main Results:
- Identification of novel factors that promote or inhibit adipogenesis through chromatin effects.
- Epigenetic signals and chromatin modifiers play significant roles in adipogenesis.
- These epigenetic events are linked to the maintenance of mature adipocyte phenotype and metabolic control.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic regulation is a critical layer in controlling adipogenesis.
- Understanding these novel epigenetic factors provides a broader view of adipocyte differentiation.
- This knowledge is vital for understanding and potentially manipulating metabolic processes.
Related Concept Videos
Chromatin Position Affects Gene Expression
Chromatin is the massive complex of DNA and proteins packaged inside the nucleus. The complexity of chromatin folding and how it is packaged inside the nucleus greatly influences access to genetic information. Generally, the nucleus' periphery is considered transcriptionally repressive, while the cell's interior is considered a transcriptionally active area.
Topologically Associated Domains (TADs)
The 3-dimensional positioning of chromatin in the nucleus influences the timing and level of...
Topologically Associated Domains (TADs)
The 3-dimensional positioning of chromatin in the nucleus influences the timing and level of...
Inheritance of Chromatin Structures
Epigenetics is the study of inherited changes in a cell's phenotype without changing the DNA sequences. It provides a form of memory for the differential gene expression pattern to maintain cell lineage, position-effect variegation, dosage compensation, and maintenance of chromatin structures such as telomeres and centromeres. For example, the structure and location of the centromere on chromosomes are epigenetically inherited. Its functionality is not dictated or ensured by the underlying DNA...
Euchromatin
The extent of chromatin compaction can be studied by staining chromatin using specific DNA binding dyes. Under the microscope, the dense-compacted regions take up more dye, appearing darker, while the less-compact areas take up less dye and appear lighter. Based on the compaction level, chromatins are classified into two primary forms – euchromatin and heterochromatin.
Euchromatin is the less dense region of the chromatin and stains lighter. Euchromatin contains histone H3 extensively...
Euchromatin is the less dense region of the chromatin and stains lighter. Euchromatin contains histone H3 extensively...
Heterochromatin
The extent of chromatin compaction can be studied by staining chromatin using specific DNA binding dyes. Under the microscope, the dense-compacted regions that take up more dye are called heterochromatin. Heterochromatin is further classified into two forms – constitutive heterochromatin and facultative heterochromatin.
Constitutive heterochromatin: It is a highly compact region of chromatin that is mostly concentrated in the centromere and telomere. Unlike euchromatin, the amino acid at 9th...
Constitutive heterochromatin: It is a highly compact region of chromatin that is mostly concentrated in the centromere and telomere. Unlike euchromatin, the amino acid at 9th...
Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells
Chromatin modification alters gene expression; therefore, scientists can add histone-modifying enzymes, histone variants, and chromatin remodeling complexes to somatic cells to aid reprogramming into pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...
Spreading of Chromatin Modifications
The histone proteins in the nucleosomes are post-translationally modified (PTM) to increase or decrease access to DNA. The commonly observed PTMs are methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination of lysine amino acids in the histone H3 tail region. These histone modifications have specific meaning for the cell. Hence, they are called "histone code". The protein complex involved in histone modification is termed as "reader-writer" complex.
Writers
The writer is an enzyme that can...
Writers
The writer is an enzyme that can...

