Open AccessGene Expression Patterns in Visceral and Subcutaneous Adipose Depots in Rats are Linked to Their Morphologic Features
Author(s) -
Mariona Palou,
Teresa Priego,
Juana Sánchez,
Ana Rodríguez,
Andreu Taberner Palou,
Catalina Picó
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
cellular physiology and biochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.486
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1421-9778
pISSN - 1015-8987
DOI - 10.1159/000257511
Subject(s) - lipolysis , lipogenesis , glut4 , adipocyte , adipose tissue , medicine , endocrinology , biology , cd36 , gene expression , lipid metabolism , gene , insulin , insulin resistance , genetics
The aim was to characterize the expression pattern of genes involved in lipid metabolism in internal (retroperitoneal, mesenteric) and subcutaneous (inguinal) adipose tissue depots in rats and their relation with site-specific morphological- and metabolic-features. Gene expression by RT-qPCR, western blot and morphometric analyses were performed. Lipogenesis-related genes (PPARgamma2, SREBP1c, ACC1, GPAT, LPL, CD36, GLUT4) showed higher mRNA levels in the retroperitoneal depot versus the mesenteric and the inguinal depots; the expression of PPARgamma;2, ACC1, CD36, and GLUT4 in the mesenteric depot was also higher than in the inguinal depot. HKII was similarly expressed in the retroperitoneal and mesenteric depots and higher than in the inguinal one. The expression of lipolysis-related genes (HSL, ATGL) was higher in the retroperitoneal than in the mesenteric and inguinal depots, while the expression of fatty-acid oxidation-related genes (PPARalpha, CPT1) was lower in the retroperitoneal depot compared with the mesenteric and the inguinal depots. Thus, a higher expression of lipogenesis- and lipolysis-related genes and lower expression of fatty-acid oxidation-related genes in internal depots (particularly in the retroperitoneal, which also presents the largest adipocyte size) can explain its higher triacylglyceride turnover rates and hence account for the differential behavior of fat depots in physiological situations and its involvement in obesity-linked metabolic disorders.