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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
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Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis
Published on: June 3, 2016
Twf1 regulates adipocyte proliferation and differentiation through Yap nucleus accumulation
Chen Kai1, Haiyan Xu1, Suzhen Lv1
1Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, Lishui, China.
Adipocyte
|June 24, 2026
Summary
Twinfilin-1 (Twf1) is upregulated in obesity and promotes white adipose tissue expansion. Reducing Twf1 enhances adipocyte proliferation and differentiation, suggesting it plays a key role in obesity development.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Metabolic Diseases
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Obesity involves white adipose tissue (WAT) expansion, with impaired adipocyte proliferation leading to metabolic dysfunction.
- Aberrant F-actin dynamics disrupt adipocyte proliferation and differentiation.
- The role of Twinfilin-1 (Twf1), an actin-binding protein, in adipocytes is currently unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Twinfilin-1 (Twf1) in adipocyte biology and its involvement in obesity.
- To determine the effect of Twf1 modulation on adipocyte proliferation, differentiation, and associated signaling pathways.
Main Methods:
- Proteomic analysis of adipose tissue from obese and weight-reduced mice.
- Validation of Twf1 expression using RT-qPCR and Western blot.
- In vitro studies using C3H10T1/2 preadipocytes with Twf1 knockdown and overexpression to assess adipogenesis, proliferation, and Hippo signaling pathway activity.
Main Results:
- Twf1 expression was upregulated in the white adipose tissue of diet-induced obese mice and downregulated following weight loss.
- Twf1 knockdown in preadipocytes enhanced adipocyte differentiation and proliferation, promoting Yap nuclear accumulation and inhibiting Hippo signaling.
- Twf1 overexpression reduced adipocyte differentiation, lipid accumulation, and proliferation.
Conclusions:
- Twinfilin-1 (Twf1) is upregulated in obesity and promotes white adipose tissue expansion.
- Twf1 negatively regulates adipocyte proliferation and differentiation, partly through the Hippo-Yap signaling pathway.
- Twf1 represents a potential therapeutic target for managing obesity.
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