Monocyte chemoattractant protein-induced protein 1 impairs adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-induced protein 1 (MCPIP1) encoded by the ZC3H12a gene (also known as Regnase-1) is involved in the regulation of degradation of mRNA of inflammatory modulators and for processing of pre-miRNA. These functions depend on the presence of the PIN domain. Moreover, MCPIP1 was described as a negative regulator of NF-κB and AP-1 signaling pathways although mechanisms underlying such activity remain unknown. We aimed at determining the role of MCPIP1 in adipogenesis. Here, we present evidence that Mcpip1 transcription is transiently activated during 3T3-L1 transition from pre- to adipocytes. However Mcpip1 protein expression is also strongly decreased at day one after induction of adipogenesis. Knockdown of Mcpip1 results in an upregulation of C/EBPβ and PPARγ mRNAs, whereas overexpression of MCPIP1 reduces the level of both transcription factors and impairs adipogenesis. MCPIP1-dependend modulation of C/EBPβ and PPARγ levels results in a modulation of the expression of downstream controlled genes. In addition, decreased C/EBPβ, but not PPARγ, depends on the activity of the MCPIP1 PIN domain, which is responsible for RNase properties of this protein. Together, these data confirm that MCPIP1 is a key regulator of adipogenesis.