Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 28, 2026

Measuring the Rate of Lipolysis in Ex Vivo Murine Adipose Tissue and Primary Preadipocytes Differentiated In Vitro
Published on: March 17, 2023
α-Calcitonin gene related peptide (α-CGRP) mediated lipid mobilization in 3T3-L1 adipocytes
Christopher S Walker1, Debbie L Hay1, Sandra M Fitzpatrick2
1School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Abstract:
The neuropeptide, α-calcitonin gene-related peptide (α-CGRP), is expressed from sensory nerves that innervate fat. However, how α-CGRP may act in adipose tissue is unclear. Using 3T3-L1 adipocytes we observed that rat α-CGRP (rα-CGRP) evoked either a biphasic or monophasic reduction in intracellular free fatty acid (FFA) content. cAMP production was always monophasic and occurred when FFA responses were absent. Taken together with the observed potencies, these findings suggest that adipose tissue is a physiological target for α-CGRP. However, uncoupling of the FFA and CGRP-signaling responses with increasing passage number limits 3T3-L1 adipocytes as a suitable cellular model.
Related Concept Videos
Synthesis and Functions of Calcitonin
The exact mechanisms by which calcitonin operates in calcium homeostasis remain elusive, but its significance is evident in several vital...
cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase Pathways
Hormones and Bone Tissue
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
IP3/DAG Signaling Pathway
GPCRs Regulate Adenylyl Cylase Activity
Calmodulin-dependent Signaling
The Ca2+-CaM complex does not have enzymatic activity by itself. Instead, the complex binds downstream target proteins, including membrane proteins or enzymes,...

