Human adipogenesis is associated with genome-wide DNA methylation and gene-expression changes.

Abstract

To define the genomic distribution and function of DNA methylation changes during human adipogenesis. We isolated adipocyte-derived stem cells from 13 individuals and analyzed genome-wide DNA methylation and gene expression in cultured adipocyte-derived stem cells and mature adipocytes. We observed altered DNA methylation of 11,947 CpG sites and altered expression of 11,830 transcripts after differentiation. De novo methylation was observed across all genomic elements. Co-existence of genes with both altered expression and DNA methylation was found in genes important for cell cycle and adipokine signaling. Human adipogenesis is associated with significant DNA methylation changes across the entire genome and may impact regulation of cell cycle and adipokine signaling.