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A role of miR‐27 in the regulation of adipogenesis
Author(s) -
Lin Qun,
Gao Zhanguo,
Alarcon Rodolfo M.,
Ye Jianping,
Yun Zhong
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the febs journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.981
H-Index - 204
eISSN - 1742-4658
pISSN - 1742-464X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2009.06967.x
Subject(s) - adipogenesis , microrna , epigenetics , biology , adipocyte , microbiology and biotechnology , regulation of gene expression , energy homeostasis , homeostasis , adipose tissue , cellular differentiation , endocrinology , gene , genetics , obesity
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in a plethora of important biological processes, from embryonic development to homeostasis in adult tissues. Recently, miRNAs have emerged as a class of epigenetic regulators of metabolism and energy homeostasis. We have investigated the role of miRNAs in the regulation of adipogenic differentiation. In this article, we demonstrate that the miR‐27 gene family is downregulated during adipogenic differentiation. Overexpression of miR‐27 specifically inhibited adipocyte formation, without affecting myogenic differentiation. We also found that expression of miR‐27 resulted in blockade of expression of PPAR γ and C/EBP α, the two master regulators of adipogenesis. Importantly, expression of miR‐27 was increased in fat tissue of obese mice and was regulated by hypoxia, an important extracellular stress associated with obesity. Our data strongly suggest that miR‐27 represents a new class of adipogenic inhibitors and may play a role in the pathological development of obesity.