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Updated: Dec 9, 2025

Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis
Published on: June 3, 2016
Dynamic changes in DICER levels in adipose tissue control metabolic adaptations to exercise
Bruna B Brandão1,2,3, Søren Madsen4, Atefeh Rabiee4
1Program in Molecular Biology, Federal University of São Paulo, 04044-020 São Paulo, Brazil.
Aerobic exercise up-regulates DICER, an enzyme crucial for microRNA (miRNA) production, in fat tissue. This adaptation supports whole-body metabolic health by influencing how fat tissue uses fuel, benefiting muscle function.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- DICER is essential for microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis.
- miRNAs play critical roles in regulating gene expression and cellular functions.
- Understanding molecular adaptations to exercise is key for metabolic health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of DICER in adipose tissue during aerobic exercise.
- To elucidate the signaling pathways involved in exercise-induced DICER regulation.
- To determine the contribution of adipocyte DICER to whole-body metabolic adaptations.
Main Methods:
- Aerobic exercise training in mice and humans.
- Serum transfer experiments from exercised to sedentary mice.
- Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway analysis.
- Measurement of miRNA expression and glycolysis in adipose tissue.
- Assessment of whole-body metabolic parameters and skeletal muscle function.
Main Results:
- Aerobic exercise training significantly up-regulates DICER expression in adipose tissue of mice and humans.
- Exercise-induced DICER up-regulation is mediated by AMPK signaling in muscle and adipocytes.
- Adipocyte DICER is essential for exercise-induced metabolic adaptations, including controlled substrate utilization.
- Exercise increases overall miRNA expression in adipose tissue, with miR-203-3p up-regulation limiting glycolysis under metabolic stress.
Conclusions:
- Exercise training-induced DICER and miR-203-3p up-regulation in adipocytes is a key adaptive response.
- This adaptive response coordinates signals from working muscle to promote whole-body metabolic adaptations.
- Adipocyte DICER facilitates controlled substrate utilization, supporting skeletal muscle function during exercise.
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