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Updated: Feb 11, 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
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Ifi27 is indispensable for mitochondrial function and browning in adipocytes
Weiwei Jin1, Wenfang Jin1, Dongning Pan1
1Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, The Ministry of Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, 200032, China.
Summary
Interferon-alpha inducible protein 27 (Ifi27) regulates mitochondrial function and energy expenditure in brown adipose tissue (BAT). Knockdown of Ifi27 impairs BAT activity and fat browning, while its expression enhances these processes.
Area of Science:
- Metabolism
- Cell Biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is crucial for energy expenditure, but its regulatory pathways remain unclear.
- Interferon (IFN) signaling and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) influence adipocyte function.
- IFN-alpha inducible protein 27 (Ifi27/ISG12a) is enriched in BAT, but its role is unstudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of Ifi27 in brown adipose tissue metabolism and activity.
- To elucidate the role of Ifi27 in mitochondrial function and adipocyte browning.
Main Methods:
- Localization of Ifi27 protein in adipocytes.
- Analysis of Ifi27 expression following beta-3 adrenergic stimulation.
- Gene knockdown and ectopic expression of Ifi27 in brown and beige adipocytes.
- Assessment of mitochondrial respiration, TCA cycle, and electron transport chain (ETC) gene expression.
- Evaluation of Ucp1 expression and adipocyte browning.
Main Results:
- Ifi27 protein localizes to mitochondria.
- Ifi27 expression is induced by beta-3 adrenergic activation.
- Ifi27 knockdown reduces expression of TCA cycle enzymes, ETC subunits, and Ucp1.
- Ifi27 knockdown blocks beta-3 adrenergic-induced fat browning.
- Ectopic Ifi27 expression reverses these effects.
Conclusions:
- Ifi27 is a key regulator of mitochondrial function in brown and beige adipocytes.
- Ifi27 plays a critical role in mediating the effects of beta-3 adrenergic signaling on BAT activity and browning.
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