Fine-tuning thermogenesis from the post-transcriptional level

In mammals, adipose tissue is involved in energy homeostasis regulation. White adipose tissue (WAT) is the major energy storage site for mammals, whereas brown adipose tissue (BAT) is involved in energy expenditure and thermogenesis. The conversion of triglycerides from WAT into fuel provides calories for the body and aids in reducing WAT accumulation, which is considered an effective strategy for weight loss and improving lipid metabolism. Regulation at the transcriptional level can determine the differentiation and transdifferentiation of WAT and BAT; however, post-transcriptional regulation offers an additional level of coordination to this process. Despite the high number of studies investigating the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of key thermogenesis-regulated genes, the regulatory roles of these genes at the post-transcriptional level remain poorly understood. Therefore, this review summarizes the post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of key thermogenesis-regulated genes, including splicing, m6A modification, RNA degradation, RNA-binding proteins, and ncRNA regulation of pre-mRNAs of these thermogenic genes.