Sequence analysis of bovine C/EBPδ gene and its adipogenic effects on fibroblasts

CCAAT/enhancer binding protein delta (C/EBPδ), an important transcriptional factor, regulates cell growth, differentiation and adipogenesis in humans and mice. However, we lack of directive information on the effects of C/EBPδ gene in bovine cells. In the present study, we cloned the CDS areas of bovine C/EBPδ gene and predicted its sequence characteristics. Moreover, we constructed the recombinant adenovirus plasmids of bovine C/EBPδ gene and harvested the subsequent adenoviruses to infect bovine primary fibroblasts. Oil Red O staining results showed lipid droplets accumulated gradually in the adenoviruses treated fibroblasts. Time course real-time PCR results indicated that over-expression of exogenous C/EBPδ regulated the mRNA expression levels of some key adipogenic genes, herein, activated the C/EBPα expression, increased lipoprotein lipase and fatty acid binding protein 4 mRNA expression levels, whereas inhibited leptin receptor gene. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that the elevated C/EBPδ can induce the adipogenesis in the fibroblasts of cattle.