Decoding the Function of FGFBP1 in Sheep Adipocyte Proliferation and Differentiation

Tail adipose deposition in sheep is an economically significant trait that has an impact on meat quality and reproductive performance. This study elucidates the regulatory mechanism of FGFBP1 in the proliferation and differentiation of ovine tail-derived preadipocytes. Overexpression and knockdown methods were used to establish gain- and loss-of-function models, and the biological effects of FGFBP1 on adipocyte dynamics were systematically assessed. FGFBP1 overexpression significantly inhibited cellular proliferation by cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase, and, at the same time, promoted adipocyte differentiation by upregulating key adipogenic markers (PPARγ, Adiponectin, C/EBPα, and FABP4). In contrast, gene silencing enhanced the proliferative capacity and decreased lipid droplet accumulation, confirming its inhibitory role in adipogenesis. Our findings indicate that FGFBP1 is a key regulator of tail adipogenesis. This discovery enhances our understanding of the mechanisms of adipocyte differentiation and provides theoretical bases and potential therapeutic targets for optimizing lipid deposition traits in livestock production.