Abstract
Mainly from cell culture studies, a series of genes that have been suggested to be characteristic of different types of adipocytes have been identified. Here we have examined gene expression patterns in nine defined adipose depots: interscapular BAT, cervical BAT, axillary BAT, mediastinic BAT, cardiac WAT, inguinal WAT, retroperitoneal WAT, mesenteric WAT, and epididymal WAT. We found that each depot displayed a distinct gene expression fingerprint but that three major types of depots were identifiable: the brown, the brite, and the white. Although differences in gene expression pattern were generally quantitative, some gene markers showed, even in vivo, remarkable depot specificities: Zic1 for the classical BAT depots, Hoxc9 for the brite depots, Hoxc8 for the brite and white in contrast to the brown, and Tcf21 for the white depots. The effect of physiologically induced recruitment of thermogenic function (cold acclimation) on the expression pattern of the genes was quantified; in general, the depot pattern dominated over the recruitment effects. The significance of the gene expression patterns for classifying the depots and for understanding the developmental background of the depots is discussed, as are the possible regulatory functions of the genes.
Highlights
Uncoupling protein 1; PR domain containing 16; sirtuins; short stature homeobox 2; carbonic anhydrase 3 proached: to which degree can the conclusions from the in vitro studies be extrapolated to in vivo conditions?
BsWAT. back subcutaneous WAT (bsWAT) is the interscapular whitish adipose tissue found on top of Interscapular BAT (iBAT) [43]. We found it difficult to include it as a genuine subcutaneous adipose tissue depot, since it is entangled with the interscapular brown adipose tissue (BAT)
To make an initial classification of the different adipose tissue depots, we examined the expression levels of two genes well accepted as being associated with BAT, uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and PR domain containing 16 (Prdm16)
Summary
Uncoupling protein 1; PR domain containing 16; sirtuins; short stature homeobox 2; carbonic anhydrase 3 proached: to which degree can the conclusions from the in vitro studies be extrapolated to in vivo conditions?. In the present investigation, we have undertaken to examine a broad spectrum of the definable adipose depots of mice to extend the information concerning cell lineage markers to the physiology of the intact animal, allowing for the regulatory systems of the intact animal to influence the development of the adipose cells. We found that each adipose depot examined was characterized by a unique marker gene expression pattern. Despite this, we conclude that it is possible to divide the depots into three main types, the classical brown adipose tissue (BAT) depots, the brite adipose tissue depots, and the (“genuine”) white adipose tissue (WAT) depots, and to associate particular gene expressions patterns with these depots
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
