Abstract
Adipogenesis is the process by which Mesenchymal Stem cells commit to become adipocyte precursor cells, which will later differentiate into mature adipocytes following exposure to differentiation factors. The transcriptional programs involved in the differentiation process have been carefully studied. Recently, small non-coding RNAs, microRNAs, have been found to play critical roles throughout the adipogenic process. MicroRNAs have been identified that are involved in promoting or inhibiting adipogenesis by targeting anti- or pro-adipogenic factors and cell cycle regulatory proteins. Here, we will discuss the latest discoveries regarding microRNA regulation of adipocyte differentiation.
Highlights
Adipogenesis is the process by which Mesenchymal Stem cells commit to become adipocyte precursor cells, which will later differentiate into mature adipocytes following exposure to differentiation factors
Adipose tissue serves to regulate and maintain energy homeostasis within an organism, and is primarily composed of adipocytes, or fat cells [1]. These cells are classified into two distinct types: White Adipose Tissue (WAT) and Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT)
This review mainly focuses on the impact of microRNAs on WAT-related adipogenesis
Summary
Body fat, is an essential class of connective tissue prominent throughout the body. Adipose tissue serves to regulate and maintain energy homeostasis within an organism, and is primarily composed of adipocytes, or fat cells [1]. Adipocytes function to store reserves of nourishment in times of abundance, and to release these reserves in times of need This ability of adipose tissue to maintain the necessary amount of energy for use in metabolism is essential for the survival of any organism. During adipogenic competency and commitment, extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell shape remodeling play a role in coordinating various signaling cascades [2] This stage involves many key regulators that are modulated during the transition between MSC to preadipocytes, including WNT family members and Rho-family GTPases [2]. This WNT signaling activity is not exhibited in mouse embryonic fibroblasts lacking the WNT receptor, which in turn develop increased adipocyte differentiation [8,9]
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