Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 19, 2025

Isolation and Differentiation of Stromal Vascular Cells to Beige/Brite Cells
Published on: March 28, 2013
Molecular epigenetics in the transition of white to brown fat
Shatakshi Chaturvedi1, Pankaj Chaturvedi2, Prakash Chandra Gupta3
1Disease Biology Lab, Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur 208024, India.
Abstract:
Obesity and related metabolic disorders represent a significant global health challenge. A promising therapeutic avenue involves fat browning, the conversion of energy-storing white adipose tissue (WAT) into thermogenic beige fat, which dissipates energy as heat. Since brown fat dissipates more energy than white fat it is commonly characterized by increased mitochondrial biogenesis and the expression of thermogenic genes to enhance energy expenditure. Although fat browning can have different mechanisms, this review focusses on epigenetic mechanisms that underline browning of fat. These epigenetic mechanisms comprise DNA methylation (DNMTs), histone modifications (HDACs, H3K27Me3) and non-coding RNA (miR133, miR26, miR34a) mediated regulation. These epigenetic mechanisms in turn are triggered by diet and exercise, environmental factors such as temperature, obesity and comorbidities such as diabetes and blood pressure. The triggered epigenetic mechanisms in turn trigger genes such as UCP1 which are associated with thermogenesis in adipocytes and hence fat browning. Brown/white fat communicate with neighbouring organs such as liver, heart, kidneys and blood vessels providing protective environment. This review highlights recent advances in the field, focusing on key epigenetic regulators and their impact on adipose tissue conversion and metabolic health.
More Related Videos
06:08Author Spotlight: Semi-Automated Isolation of the Stromal Vascular Fraction from Murine White Adipose Tissue Using a Tissue Dissociator
Published on: May 19, 2023
04:46Differentiation and Imaging of Brown Adipocytes from the Stromal Vascular Fraction of Interscapular Adipose Tissue from Newborn Mice
Published on: February 3, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Position-effect Variegation
General Transcription Factors
Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
Epigenetic Regulation
X-chromosome...
Forced Transdifferentiation
Artificial...
Epistasis