Calpain System Regulates the Differentiation of Adult Primitive Mesenchymal ST-13 Adipocytes

The activity of calpain, a calcium-activated protease, is required during the mitotic clonal expansion phase of 3T3-L1 embryonic preadipocyte differentiation. Here we examined the role of calpain in the adipogenesis of ST-13 preadipocytes established from adult primitive mesenchymal cells, which do not require mitotic clonal expansion. After exposure to the calpain inhibitor, N-benzyloxycarbonyl-l-leucyl-l-leucinal or overexpression of calpastatin, a specific endogenous inhibitor of calpain, ST-13 preadipocytes acquired the adipocyte phenotype. Overexpression of calpastatin in ST-13 adipocytes stimulated the expression of adipocyte-specific CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-α (C/EBPα), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ, sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1, and the insulin signaling molecules, insulin receptor α, insulin-receptor substrates, and GLUT4. However, insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was reduced by approximately 52%. The addition of calpain to the nuclear fraction of ST-13 adipocytes resulted in the Ca2+-dependent degradation of PPARγ and C/EBPα but not sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1. Exposing ST-13 adipocytes to A23187 also led to losses of endogenous PPARγ and C/EBPα. Under both conditions, calpain inhibitors almost completely prevented C/EBPα cleavage but partially blocked the decrease of PPARγ. Two ubiquitous forms of calpain, μ- and m-calpain, localized to the cytosol and the nucleus, whereas the activated form of μ- but not m-calpain was found in the nucleus. Finally, stable dominant-negative μ-calpain transfectants showed accelerated adipogenesis and increase in the levels of PPARγ and C/EBPα during adipocyte program. These results support evidence that the calpain system is involved in regulating the differentiation of adult primitive mesenchymal ST-13 preadipocytes.