Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 31, 2026

Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis
Published on: June 3, 2016
Transcriptional control of adipogenesis
L Fajas1, J C Fruchart, J Auwerx
1INSERM U 325, Département d'Athérosclérose, Institut Pasteur, Lille, France.
Abstract:
Adipocyte differentiation is coordinatedly regulated by several transcription factors. C/EBP beta, C/EBP delta and ADD-1/SREBP-1 are active early during the differentiation process and induce the expression and/or activity of the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPAR gamma), the pivotal coordinator of the adipocyte differentiation process. Activated PPAR gamma induces exit from the cell cycle and triggers the expression of adipocyte-specific genes, resulting in increased delivery of energy to the cells. C/EBP alpha, whose expression coincides with the later stages of differentiation, cooperates with PPAR gamma in inducing additional target genes and sustains a high level of PPAR gamma in the mature adipocyte as part of a feedforward loop. Altered activity and/or expression of these transcription factors might underlie the pathogenesis of disorders characterized by increased or decreased adipose tissue depots.
Related Concept Videos
Transcription
Transcription is the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA sequence by RNA polymerase. It is the first step in producing a protein from a gene sequence. Additionally, many other proteins and regulatory sequences are involved in the proper synthesis of messenger RNA (mRNA). Regulation of transcription is responsible for the differentiation of all the different types of cells and often for the proper cellular response to environmental signals.
Transcription Can Produce Different Kinds...
RNA Polymerase II Accessory Proteins
Co-activators and Co-repressors
Master Transcription Regulators
Transcription
Transcription Can Produce Different Kinds of RNA Molecules
In eukaryotes,...
Master Transcription Regulators

