Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 1, 2026

Robust Differentiation of Human iPSCs into a Pure Population of Adipocytes to Study Adipocyte-Associated Disorders
Published on: February 9, 2022
Elevated Carbohydrate Response Element-Binding Protein Beta (ChREBPβ) and Thioredoxin Interacting Protein (TXNIP)
Vian Peshdary1, AnneMarie Gagnon1, Anne Landry1
1Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Objectives:
Obesity and type 2 diabetes often coexist. The effect of hyperglycemia on adipose tissue is, therefore, of interest. Although studies have shown that high glucose (HG) concentrations do not inhibit adipocyte differentiation, the resulting adipocyte phenotype has not been investigated. In particular, the levels of the glucose-responsive transcription factor carbohydrate-responsive response element binding protein (ChREBP) isoforms have not been assessed.
Methods:
Human preadipocytes were differentiated into adipocytes in either normal glucose (NG) or HG conditions. RNA and protein analyses were used to measure the expression of ChREBP isoforms, thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP) and lipogenic genes. Insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was measured.
Results:
HG- vs. NG-differentiated adipocytes expressed more ChREBPβ and more TXNIP at the mRNA and protein levels. There was no change in lipogenic gene expression. HG- vs. NG-differentiated adipocytes displayed an inhibition of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake.
Conclusions:
HG-differentiated human adipocytes have distinct molecular differences and are insulin resistant. More studies are warranted to investigate potential mechanisms linking changes in ChREBPβ and TXNIP to insulin responsiveness.
Related Concept Videos
Protein Kinases and Phosphatases
Protein kinases
Many proteins in the cell are regulated by phosphorylation, the addition of a phosphate group. A family of enzymes called kinases...
Factors Affecting Protein-Drug Binding: Drug Interactions
Displacement interactions can have varying outcomes, ranging from toxicity to virtually...
Protein-protein Interfaces
RNA Polymerase II Accessory Proteins
Chemistry of Carbohydrates
Conservation of Protein Domains Over Different Proteins
A limited set of protein domains often duplicate and recombine during evolution. These domains can be organized in different combinations to...

