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Evaluation of Mammary Gland Development and Function in Mouse Models
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Stearic acid suppresses mammary gland development by inhibiting PI3K/Akt signaling pathway through GPR120 in pubertal

Yingying Meng1, Cong Yuan1, Jing Zhang1

  • 1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, PR China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, PR China.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|July 18, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Dietary stearic acid (SA) suppresses pubertal mammary gland development by inhibiting cell proliferation and PI3K/Akt signaling via GPR120 activation. This fatty acid impacts key growth markers in mice and mammary cells.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • High-fat diets negatively impact pubertal mammary gland development.
  • Stearic acid (SA) is an 18-carbon saturated fatty acid found in the diet.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of dietary SA on mammary gland development in pubertal mice.
  • To explore the underlying molecular mechanisms of SA's action.

Main Methods:

  • In vivo studies using pubertal mice supplemented with SA.
  • In vitro studies using mouse mammary epithelial cells (HC11) treated with SA.
  • Analysis of mammary duct development, cell proliferation markers (Cyclin D1, p21, PCNA), G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120) expression, and the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
  • GPR120 knockdown using siRNA in vitro.

Main Results:

  • Dietary SA suppressed mammary duct development, reducing terminal end bud (TEB) number and ductal branching in mice.
  • SA decreased the expression of the proliferative marker Cyclin D1 in vivo.
  • SA increased GPR120 expression and inhibited the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in mouse mammary glands.
  • In vitro, SA suppressed HC11 cell proliferation and altered proliferative marker expression.
  • SA activated GPR120 and inhibited PI3K/Akt signaling in a GPR120-dependent manner.
  • GPR120 knockdown abolished SA's effects on cell proliferation and signaling pathways.

Conclusions:

  • Stearic acid suppresses pubertal mammary gland development in mice.
  • SA inhibits mammary epithelial cell proliferation through GPR120 activation and subsequent PI3K/Akt pathway inhibition.
  • These findings offer insights into how dietary fatty acids regulate mammary gland development.
Keywords:
GPR120Mammary gland developmentPI3K/AktPubertal miceStearic acid

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