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Updated: May 26, 2026
Isolation and Differentiation of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells from Porcine Subcutaneous Adipose Tissues
Published on: March 31, 2016
MicroRNAs miR-27a and miR-143 regulate porcine adipocyte lipid metabolism
Tao Wang1, Mingzhou Li, Jiuqiang Guan
1Institute of Animal Genetics & Breeding, College of Animal Science & Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, Sichuan 625014, China; E-Mails: wanttao@gmail.com (T.W.); mingzhou.li@163.com (M.L.); 79184122@qq.com (J.G.); 45085733@qq.com (P.L.); 253620495@qq.com (H.W.); 610810793@qq.com (Y.G.).
Abstract:
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding small RNAs that play roles in regulating gene expression. Some miRNAs have been classed as epigenetic regulators of metabolism and energy homeostasis. Previous reports indicated that the miRNAs miR-27a and miR-143 were involved in lipid metabolism in human and rodents. To determine the roles of porcine miR-27a and miR-143 in adipocyte lipid metabolism, porcine adipocytes were cultured and allowed to induce differentiation for 10 days. The lipid-filled adipocytes were then transfected with miRNA mimics and inhibitors. We measured how the indicators of adipogenesis and adipolysis in porcine adipocytes were affected by the over-expression and by the inhibition of both miR-27a and miR-143. The results indicated that the over-expression of miR-27a could accelerate adipolysis releasing significantly more glycerol and free fatty acids than the negative control (P < 0.001), while the mimic of miR-143 expression, promoted adipogenesis by accumulating more triglycerides (P < 0.001) in the adipocytes. In addition, we demonstrated that there was good correlation (r > 0.98, P < 0.001) between the indicators of adipolysis in cell lysates and in the culture medium.
Insights
Porcine microRNAs miR-27a and miR-143 influence fat metabolism. miR-27a accelerates fat breakdown (adipolysis), while miR-143 promotes fat storage (adipogenesis) in porcine adipocytes.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Epigenetics
- Animal Science
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs regulating gene expression.
- miRNAs are epigenetic regulators of metabolism and energy homeostasis.
- Porcine miR-27a and miR-143 are implicated in lipid metabolism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the roles of porcine miR-27a and miR-143 in adipocyte lipid metabolism.
- To determine the effects of over-expression and inhibition of these miRNAs on adipogenesis and adipolysis.
Main Methods:
- Porcine adipocytes were cultured and induced to differentiate.
- Cells were transfected with miRNA mimics and inhibitors for miR-27a and miR-143.
- Indicators of adipogenesis and adipolysis were measured.
Main Results:
- Over-expression of miR-27a significantly accelerated adipolysis, increasing glycerol and free fatty acid release (P < 0.001).
- miR-143 mimic promoted adipogenesis, leading to increased triglyceride accumulation (P < 0.001).
- High correlation (r > 0.98, P < 0.001) was observed between adipolysis indicators in cell lysates and culture medium.
Conclusions:
- Porcine miR-27a promotes adipolysis.
- Porcine miR-143 promotes adipogenesis.
- These miRNAs are key regulators of lipid metabolism in porcine adipocytes.
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