Aldosterone stimulated differentiation of mouse 3T3-L1 cells into adipocytes

We find that 1-10 nM aldosterone can induce differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells into adipose cells as evaluated by microscopic accumulation of fat droplets and quantitative measurement of triglycerides and of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, an enzyme specific for adipocyte differentiation. Moreover, the aldosterone antagonist ZK91587 inhibits aldosterone-but not glucocorticoid-mediated differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. Steroid binding assays with 3T3-L1 cells indicate the presence of specific binding sites for aldosterone. We conclude that there is an aldosterone receptor-mediated pathway for terminal differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells into adipose cells. Receptors for aldosterone have also been found in a variety of cells that do not function to regulate sodium and potassium transport. The aldosterone receptor may have a role in regulation expression of genes involved in differentiation of these cells.