Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026
04:46
Differentiation and Imaging of Brown Adipocytes from the Stromal Vascular Fraction of Interscapular Adipose Tissue from Newborn Mice
Published on: February 3, 2023
MicroRNA networks regulate development of brown adipocytes
Mirko Trajkovski1, Harvey Lodish
1University College London (UCL), Division of Biosciences, School of Life and Medical Sciences, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Darwin building, Gower street, London WC1E 6BT, UK. m.trajkovski@ucl.ac.uk
Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism: TEM
|July 2, 2013
Summary
MicroRNAs regulate brown and beige fat cell development and metabolism. These findings suggest microRNAs could be used to increase brown adipose tissue (BAT) for therapeutic benefits against obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Physiology
Background:
- Brown adipose tissue (BAT) generates heat and expends energy, offering defense against cold and obesity.
- Increased BAT correlates with a lean phenotype and resistance to metabolic syndrome in humans and mice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize research on microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in brown and beige adipocyte regulation.
- To discuss mRNA targets and transcription factor interactions influenced by these miRNAs.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of miRNAs for increasing BAT in humans.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent research on BAT-expressed miRNAs.
- Analysis of miRNA-mediated downregulation of mRNA targets.
- Examination of miRNA effects on transcription factors crucial for BAT development.
Main Results:
- Several BAT-expressed miRNAs significantly regulate brown and beige adipocyte differentiation and metabolism.
- Identified key mRNA targets directly and indirectly affected by these miRNAs.
- Demonstrated the influence of these miRNAs on critical transcription factors for BAT development.
Conclusions:
- BAT-expressed miRNAs are key regulators of adipocyte function and development.
- These miRNAs present potential as novel therapeutic agents for increasing BAT mass.
- Targeting miRNAs could offer new strategies for combating obesity and metabolic disorders.
Related Concept Videos
02:23Master 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...
01:22MicroRNAs
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...
01:22MicroRNAs
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
01:22MicroRNAs
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...
01:13Formation of Muscle Fibers from Myoblasts
De novo myogenesis, or the formation of muscle fibers, begins during the early embryonic stages. The skeletal muscle is formed from somites– blocks of embryonic cell layers. The somites are further divided into dermatomes, myotomes, sclerotomes, and syndetomes. Among these, the myotomes give rise to muscle fibers.
Muscle progenitor cells (MPCs) are formed from the myotomes. MPCs express genes that encode the transcription factors Pax3 and Pax7. Along with Pax 3/7, other transcription factors...
Muscle progenitor cells (MPCs) are formed from the myotomes. MPCs express genes that encode the transcription factors Pax3 and Pax7. Along with Pax 3/7, other transcription factors...
03:03mTOR 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...
The mTOR pathway or the...