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Updated: Dec 31, 2025
Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis
Published on: June 3, 2016
A novel peptide RIFV suppresses human adipocyte differentiation through the inhibition of C/EBP-β expression
Wen Zhang1,2, Dan Shen1, Yun Li1
11Department of Pediatrics, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029 China.
Background:
Obesity is a global epidemic disease that increases the risk of metabolic syndrome. However, therapeutic drugs for obesity are still scarce. In recent years, peptides have been identified as new biological regulators. RIFV (R-I-F-V-P-I-K-G-R-P-A-P), a novel active peptide from our peptide database.
Methods:
We performed oil red O staining and triglyceride measurement to analyze the influence of RIFV on white preadipocytes differentiation. Then the effects of RIFV on cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle were determined by using CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. The mRNA and protein levels of adipogenesis-related genes were respectively detected by qRT-PCR and western blot. Rescue experiment was conducted to confirm whether RIFV could regulate adipocytes differentiation via targeting C/EBP-β. Finally, the luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to verify the regulation of RIFV on C/EBP-β gene.
Results:
RIFV was revealed to inhibit the differentiation of human white adipocytes without affecting their proliferation. Additionally, RIFV could also suppress the differentiation of mouse primary white preadipocytes isolated from inguinal fat tissues. Furthermore, RIFV may have an inhibitory effect on adipogenesis by inhibiting the regulation of the adipogenic gene C/EBP-β.
Conclusions:
Our results indicated that RIFV may be a novel essential regulator of adipocyte differentiation and represents a therapeutic strategy for obesity and related complications.
Insights
RIFV peptide inhibits human and mouse white adipocyte differentiation without impacting cell proliferation. This peptide may offer a new therapeutic strategy for obesity by targeting C/EBP-β.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Obesity is a global epidemic linked to metabolic syndrome, with limited therapeutic options.
- Novel biological regulators, such as peptides, are emerging as potential therapeutic agents.
- RIFV, a novel active peptide (R-I-F-V-P-I-K-G-R-P-A-P), was identified from a peptide database.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of the novel peptide RIFV on white adipocyte differentiation.
- To determine the mechanism by which RIFV influences adipogenesis.
- To evaluate RIFV as a potential therapeutic strategy for obesity.
Main Methods:
- Oil red O staining and triglyceride assays to assess adipocyte differentiation.
- CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry to analyze cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle.
- qRT-PCR and Western blot to measure adipogenesis-related gene expression.
- Rescue experiments and luciferase reporter gene assays to confirm target engagement (C/EBP-β).
Main Results:
- RIFV significantly inhibited the differentiation of human white adipocytes and mouse primary white preadipocytes.
- RIFV did not affect adipocyte proliferation, apoptosis, or cell cycle.
- RIFV demonstrated an inhibitory effect on adipogenesis, potentially by downregulating the adipogenic gene C/EBP-β.
Conclusions:
- RIFV acts as a novel regulator of adipocyte differentiation.
- RIFV presents a potential therapeutic strategy for managing obesity and associated metabolic complications.
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