Protein In 3T3-L1 Adipocytes Research Articles

Immuno-metabolic effect of pancreastatin inhibitor PSTi8 in diet induced obese mice: In vitro and in vivo findings

AimsPancreastatin (PST), an anti-insulin peptide derived from chromogranin A. Its levels increase in cases of obesity, which contributes to adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance. This study aims to investigate the immunometabolic effect of PST inhibitor (PSTi8) against PST by using in vitro and in vivo finding. Main methods3T3-L1 cells were differentiated with or without PSTi8, and Oil Red O staining was performed. J774A.1 cells were used for macrophage polarization study. The diet-induced obesity and T2DM model was developed in C57BL/6 mice through high-fat diet for 8 weeks. Alzet osmotic pumps were filled with PSTi8 (release rate: 2 mg/kg/day) and implanted in mice for eight weeks. Further, insulin and glucose tolerance tests were performed. Liver and eWAT sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. FACS was used to measure mitochondrial ROS and membrane potential, while Oroboros O2k was used to measure oxygen consumption rate. Immunocytochemistry and qRT-PCR were done for protein and gene expression, respectively. Key findingsPSTi8 inhibited the expression of lipolytic genes and proteins in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. PSTi8 improved the inulin sensitivity, lipid profile, MMP, and OCR levels in the 3T3-L1 adipocyte and eWAT. It also increased the M1 to M2 macrophage polarization in J77A.1 cells and eWAT. Further, PSTi8 attenuated inflammatory CD4+ T, CD8+ T cells and increased the anti-inflammatory T-reg and eosinophil populations in the eWAT. It also reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory genes like Mcp1, Tnfα, and Il-6. SignificanceCollectively, PSTi8 exerted its beneficial effect on adipose tissue inflammation and restored energy expenditure against diet-induced obesity.

Canagliflozin ameliorates obesity by improving mitochondrial function and fatty acid oxidation via PPARα in vivo and in vitro

AimsSodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have been reported to significantly reduce body weight. This study investigated whether SGLT2 inhibitors directly affect adipose tissues and the underlying mechanisms in vivo and in vitro. Main methodsMale C57BL/6 mice were fed a normal diet, high-fat diet (HFD), or HFD with canagliflozin for 14 weeks. 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with canagliflozin. Metabolic parameters were measured. Key findingsCanagliflozin reduced body weight, fat mass, and white adipose tissue (WAT) weight and inhibited adipocyte hypertrophy. Canagliflozin improved glucose and lipid metabolic disorders induced by HFD. Furthermore, canagliflozin treatment reversed the suppressed mRNA and protein expression of PGC-1α, NRF1, tfam and CPT1b, which are markers of mitochondrial biogenesis, function and fatty acid oxidation in mice with obesity. In vitro, canagliflozin increased mitochondrial DNA to nuclear DNA and upregulated the expression of PGC-1α, NRF1, tfam, COX5b, COX8b, Atp5o, and CPT1b mRNA and PGC-1α, NRF1, tfam, COX5b, CPT1b protein in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner, while these increases were inhibited by GW6471, a PPARα antagonist. SignificanceOur study showed that canagliflozin protected against HFD-induced obesity and obesity-related metabolic disorders by improving mitochondrial function and fatty acid oxidation in adipose tissue and adipocytes. Such energy-dissipating effects of canagliflozin may be mediated by PPARα.

Cathepsin B overexpression induces degradation of perilipin 1 to cause lipid metabolism dysfunction in adipocytes

Obesity, caused by the dysfunction of white adipose tissue (WAT), is reportedly accompanied by exacerbation of lipolysis. Perilipin 1 (PLIN1), which forms a coat around lipid droplets, interacts with several lipolysis proteins to regulate lipolysis. While it is known that perilipin family proteins are degraded in lysosomes, the underlying molecular mechanisms related to the downregulated expression of PLIN1 in obese WAT remain unknown. Recently, we found that lysosomal dysfunction originating from an abnormality of cathepsin B (CTSB), a lysosomal representative protease, occurs in obese WAT. Therefore, we investigated the effect of CTSB alterations on PLIN1 expression in obese WAT. PLIN1 protein disappeared and CTSB protein appeared in the cytoplasm of adipocytes in the early stage of obese WAT. Overexpression of CTSB reduced PLIN1 protein in 3T3L1 adipocytes, and treatment with a CTSB inhibitor significantly recovered this reduction. In addition, CTSB overexpression induced the dysfunction of lipolysis in 3T3L1 adipocytes. Therefore, we concluded that upregulation of CTSB induced the reduction of PLIN1 protein in obese WAT, resulting in lipolysis dysfunction. This suggests a novel pathology of lipid metabolism involving PLIN1 in adipocytes and that CTSB might be a therapeutic candidate molecule for obese WAT.

Prohibitin deficiency causes opposing lipid metabolism between 3T3-L1 adipocytes and Clone 9 hepatocytes

Prohibitin (PHB) is a highly conserved protein in eukaryotic cells that are present in multiple cellular compartments and has potential roles as a tumor suppressor, an anti-proliferative protein, a regulator of cell-cycle progression and in apoptosis. In the present study, we generated PHB-deficient 3T3-L1 adipocytes and Clone 9 (C9) hepatocytes by oligonucleotide siRNA and investigated whether PHB affect lipid metabolism. It was revealed that PHB deficiency caused opposing lipid metabolism between the two cell models. PHB deficiency increased expression of adipogenic, lipogenic, and other lipid metabolic proteins in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, whereas significantly decreased the levels of those proteins in C9 cells. Collectively, PHB deficiency promoted lipid metabolism in 3T3-L1 adipocytes while it aggravated lipid metabolism in C9 hepatocytes.

Characterization of proteins regulated by interleukin-4 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Obesity is closely associated with metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular diseases. Our previous reports uncover the significant associations between interleukin-4 (IL-4)/IL-4 receptor genotypes and T2DM, as well as IL-4 genotypes and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Theses observations suggest that IL-4 harbors the capacity to regulate lipid metabolism. The present study is aimed at further elucidating regulatory roles of IL-4 to lipid metabolism by identifying putative proteins in 3T3-L1 adipocytes which are differentially expressed under IL-4 treatment. Proteins in mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes with altered expression levels under IL-4 treatment were identified by proteomic strategy. Our results revealed that IL-4 up-regulated levels of ATP synthase δ chain, Cytochrome c reductase, Pyrophsphatase and Vimentin, whereas, Alpha-enolase, Gelsolin, Vinculin and Valosin were down-regulated. These observations suggest that IL-4 promotes energy metabolism and inhibit lipid deposits in adipocytes by up-regulating proteins accelerating ATP synthesis. Our results suggest that IL-4 facilitates adipocytes metabolism to catabolism with a favorable condition for lipolysis. These catabolized lipids in adipocytes triggered by IL-4 might either be released into periphery or metabolized intracellularlly, and modulate systemic energy metabolism.

GLP-1 receptor agonist increases the expression of CTRP3, a novel adipokine, in 3T3-L1 adipocytes through PKA signal pathway.

To investigate the effects of Exendin-4 (Ex-4), a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, on the expression of C1q/TNF-related protein-3 (CTRP3), a novel adipokine, in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The role of protein kinase A (PKA) signal pathway in the effects was also investigated. The mRNA and protein expressions of CTRP3 in 3T3-L1 adiocytes were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot, respectively. Exendin-fragment 9-39 (Ex-9), a specific GLP-1 receptor antagonist, and H89, a selective antagonist of PKA, were used to confirm the signal pathway of Ex-4 on CTRP3. 2.5 or 5.0 nmol/l Ex-4 treatment for 8 h increased the expressions of CTRP3 mRNA and protein as well as PKA protein in 3T3-L1 adipocytes significantly, while Ex-9 or H89 blocked the up-regulation of CTRP3 expression induced by Ex-4 completely. GLP-1 receptor agonist increases the expression of CTRP3 mRNA and protein in 3T3-L1 adipocytes via PKA signal pathway.

Reactive oxygen species up-regulates SOCS-3 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

We investigated the effect of increased intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS) on SOCS-3 expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Increased intracellular ROS levels in 3T3-L1 adipocytes were achieved by two methods of exposure to H2O2 and the occurrence of oxidative stress in cells was assessed by flow cytometry . Expression of SOCS-3 mRNA and that of some adipokines were measured by real time PCR. The level of SOCS-3 protein was determined by western blot. The effect of the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid was also investigated. Both the relatively mild increased intracellular ROS and the acute but transient increased ROS elevated the levels of SOCS-3 mRNA and protein in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, acompanied with elevated levels of TNF-α mRNA and resistin mRNA and the decreased levels of adiponectin mRNA and secretory adiponectin in culture medium. α-lipoic acid could attenuate the effects of ROS on 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We hypothesized that in mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes, SOCS-3 could be upregulated directly by the induction of increased intracellular ROS and to some extent which was up-regulated by adipokine modulation.

Synthesis and Evaluation of 5‐Benzylidenethiazolidine‐2,4‐dione Derivatives for the Treatment of Non‐Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Twenty-two 5-benzylidenethiazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives (TZDs) were synthesized and evaluated for their potency on adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 adipocytes by measuring the expression of adiponectin protein. Among them, compared to rosiglitazone, 3V was found to upregulate the adiponectin protein expression and downregulate the secretion of leptin protein in 3T3-L1 adipocytes at a respective concentration of 10 µM. With respect to high-fat/high-calorie (HF/HC) diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Wistar rats, oral administration of 3V could reduce liver weight, visceral fat, and improve serum levels of biochemical markers. H&E staining of liver sections validated 3V as a potent hepatoprotective agent for reducing fat deposition against NAFLD.

Mammalian Ste20-Like Kinase and SAV1 Promote 3T3-L1 Adipocyte Differentiation by Activation of PPARγ

The mammalian ste20 kinase (MST) signaling pathway plays an important role in the regulation of apoptosis and cell cycle control. We sought to understand the role of MST2 kinase and Salvador homolog 1 (SAV1), a scaffolding protein that functions in the MST pathway, in adipocyte differentiation. MST2 and MST1 stimulated the binding of SAV1 to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), a transcription factor that plays a key role in adipogenesis. The interaction of endogenous SAV1 and PPARγ was detected in differentiating 3T3-L1 adipocytes. This binding required the kinase activity of MST2 and was mediated by the WW domains of SAV1 and the PPYY motif of PPARγ. Overexpression of MST2 and SAV1 increased PPARγ levels by stabilizing the protein, and the knockdown of SAV1 resulted in a decrease of endogenous PPARγ protein in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. During the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells into adipocytes, MST2 and SAV1 expression began to increase at 2 days when PPARγ expression also begins to increase. MST2 and SAV1 significantly increased PPARγ transactivation, and SAV1 was shown to be required for the activation of PPARγ by rosiglitazone. Finally, differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells was augmented by MST2 and SAV1 expression and inhibited by knockdown of MST1/2 or SAV1. These results suggest that PPARγ activation by the MST signaling pathway may be a novel regulatory mechanism of adipogenesis.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate increases the expression and secretion of adiponectin protein in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, but not through the insulin signaling pathway

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate increases the expression and secretion of adiponectin protein in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, but not through the insulin signaling pathway

Docosahexaenoic acid increases cellular adiponectin mRNA and secreted adiponectin protein, as well as PPARγ mRNA, in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Adiponectin, a protein secreted from adipose tissue, has been shown to have anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory effects, but its regulation is not completely understood. Long-chain n-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3; EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3; DHA) may be involved in adiponectin regulation as they are potential ligands for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), a key transcription factor for the adiponectin gene. To examine this, 3T3-L1 adipocytes were incubated with 125µmol·L-1 EPA, DHA, palmitic, or oleic acids complexed to albumin, or with albumin alone (control) for 24h. Adipocytes were also incubated for 24h with EPA and DHA plus bisphenol-A-diglycidyl ether (BADGE), a PPARγ antagonist. Both EPA and DHA increased (p< 0.05) secreted adiponectin concentration compared with the control (44% and 102%, respectively), but did not affect cellular adiponectin protein content. Incubation with BADGE and DHA inhibited increases in secreted adiponectin protein, suggesting that DHA may act through a PPARγ-dependent mechanism. However, BADGE had no effect on EPA-induced increases in secreted adiponectin protein. Only DHA enhanced (p< 0.05) PPARγ and adiponectin mRNA expression compared wtih the control. Our results demonstrate that DHA increases cellular adiponectin mRNA and secreted adiponectin protein in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, possibly by a mechanism involving PPARγ. Moreover, DHA increased adiponectin concentration to a greater extent (40% more, p< 0.05) compared with EPA, emphasizing the need to consider the independent actions of EPA and DHA in adipocytes.

Map4k4 Negatively Regulates Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor (PPAR) γ Protein Translation by Suppressing the Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) Signaling Pathway in Cultured Adipocytes

The receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) is considered a master regulator of adipocyte differentiation and promotes glucose and lipid metabolism in mature adipocytes. We recently identified the yeast Sterile 20 (Ste20) protein kinase ortholog, Map4k4, in an RNA interference-based screen as an inhibitor of PPARgamma expression in cultured adipocytes. Here, we show that RNA interference-mediated silencing of Map4k4 elevates the levels of both PPARgamma1 and PPARgamma2 proteins in 3T3-L1 adipocytes without affecting PPARgamma mRNA levels, suggesting that Map4k4 regulates PPARgamma at a post-transcriptional step. PPARgamma degradation rates are remarkably rapid as measured in the presence of cycloheximide (t(1/2) = 2 h), but silencing Map4k4 had no effect on PPARgamma degradation. However, depletion of Map4k4 significantly enhances [(35)S]methionine/cysteine incorporation into proteins, suggesting that Map4k4 signaling decreases protein translation. We show a function of Map4k4 is to inhibit rapamycin-sensitive mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity, decreasing 4E-BP1 phosphorylation. In addition, our results show mTOR and 4E-BP1 are required for the increased PPARgamma protein expression upon Map4k4 knockdown. Consistent with this concept, adenovirus-mediated expression of Map4k4 decreased PPARgamma protein levels and mTOR phosphorylation. These data show that Map4k4 negatively regulates PPARgamma post-transcriptionally, by attenuating mTOR signaling and a 4E-BP1-dependent mechanism.

P-69: Stable expression of signalling proteins in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

P-69: Stable expression of signalling proteins in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

A truncation mutation in TBC1D4 in a family with acanthosis nigricans and postprandial hyperinsulinemia.

Tre-2, BUB2, CDC16, 1 domain family member 4 (TBC1D4) (AS160) is a Rab-GTPase activating protein implicated in insulin-stimulated glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation in adipocytes and myotubes. To determine whether loss-of-function mutations in TBC1D4 might impair GLUT4 translocation and cause insulin resistance in humans, we screened the coding regions of this gene in 156 severely insulin-resistant patients. A female presenting at age 11 years with acanthosis nigricans and extreme postprandial hyperinsulinemia was heterozygous for a premature stop mutation (R363X) in TBC1D4. After demonstrating reduced expression of wild-type TBC1D4 protein and expression of the truncated protein in lymphocytes from the proband, we further characterized the biological effects of the truncated protein in 3T3L1 adipocytes. Prematurely truncated TBC1D4 protein tended to increase basal cell membrane GLUT4 levels (P = 0.053) and significantly reduced insulin-stimulated GLUT4 cell membrane translocation (P < 0.05). When coexpressed with wild-type TBC1D4, the truncated protein dimerized with full-length TBC1D4, suggesting that the heterozygous truncated variant might interfere with its wild-type counterpart in a dominant negative fashion. Two overweight family members with the mutation also manifested normal fasting glucose and insulin levels but disproportionately elevated insulin levels following an oral glucose challenge. This family provides unique genetic evidence of TBC1D4 involvement in human insulin action.

Elevation of Global O-GlcNAc Levels in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes by Selective Inhibition of O-GlcNAcase Does Not Induce Insulin Resistance

The O-GlcNAc post-translational modification is considered to act as a sensor of nutrient flux through the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway. A cornerstone of this hypothesis is that global elevation of protein O-GlcNAc levels, typically induced with the non-selective O-GlcNAcase inhibitor PUGNAc (O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glycopyranosylidene) amino-N-phenylcarbamate), causes insulin resistance in adipocytes. Here we address the potential link between elevated O-GlcNAc and insulin resistance by using a potent and selective inhibitor of O-GlcNAcase (NButGT (1,2-dideoxy-2'-propyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoso-[2,1-D]-Delta 2'-thiazoline), 1200-fold selectivity). A comparison of the structures of a bacterial homologue of O-GlcNAcase in complex with PUGNAc or NButGT reveals that these inhibitors bind to the same region of the active site, underscoring the competitive nature of their inhibition of O-GlcNAcase and the molecular basis of selectivity. Treating 3T3-L1 adipocytes with NButGT induces rapid increases in global O-GlcNAc levels, but strikingly, NButGT treatment does not replicate the insulin desensitizing effects of the non-selective O-GlcNAcase inhibitor PUGNAc. Consistent with these observations, NButGT also does not recapitulate the impaired insulin-mediated phosphorylation of Akt that is induced by treatment with PUGNAc. Collectively, these results suggest that increases in global levels of O-GlcNAc-modified proteins of cultured adipocytes do not, on their own, cause insulin resistance.

Abstract 308: Rgs2 Is An Endogenous Inhibitor Of Insulin Signaling

Background: Insulin resistance is the hallmark of type 2 diabetes and is a known risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases. We have determined that overexpression of a GTPase-activating protein, RGS2 decreases insulin sensitivity. This study describes RGS2 regulation of insulin signaling pathways in order to assess whether this information can be used to reverse insulin insensitivity in diabetes. Hypothesis, Methods and Results: RGS2 protein levels were elevated 3 to 5-fold in white adipose tissues from ob/ob and high fat diet induced Insulin Resistant mice. Further, RGS2 protein is elevated in insulin resistant 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated chronically with either insulin, ET-1, or TNF-aplha. Further, SiRNA knockdown of endogenous RGS2 protein increases basal, insulin independent and insulin-dependent GLUT4 translocation. We hypothesized that the RGS2 regulatory system is defective/overactive in insulin resistance, and that a modulation of this regulatory system by RGS2 inhibition would improve insulin sensitivity. Thus, we determined the mechanisms whereby RGS2 modulates insulin sensitivity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes; focusing on insulin-regulated G-protein/PI3-K pathways leading to GLUT4 translocation and glucose uptake; utilizing adenoviruses over-expressing wild-type and mutants RGS2, as well as by siRNA-mediated knock down of endogenous RGS2. We overexpressed the Wild-Type (WT), GTPase defective (GD), and plasma membrane translocation defective (TD) RGS2 proteins in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Overexpression of WT RGS2 leads to ~ 50% inhibition of insulin induced 2-DOG uptake, without affecting IR Tyr phosphorylation. RGS2 constitutively associates with Galpha/q11, and prevent its Tyr phosphorylation and activation by insulin. Interestingly, insulin-stimulated PKClambda phosphorylation was completely blocked by RGS2, whereas, AKT phosphorylation was minimally inhibited. Neither the insulin receptor tyrosine phosphorylation nor insulin-stimulated MAPK phosphorylation was affected by RGS2. Conclusion: This study identifies a novel role of RGS2 in cellular insulin resistance by negatively regulating signaling through the Galpha/q11 pathway to glucose uptake. This research has received full or partial funding support from the American Heart Association, AHA Western States Affiliate (California, Nevada &amp; Utah).

Caspase‐mediated Degradation of PPARγ Proteins in Adipocytes

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) is a transcription factor that plays an important role in adipocyte gene expression. Previous studies from our laboratory and others have shown that PPARgamma can be ubiquitin modified and targeted to the proteasome for degradation in response to transcriptional activation. In this study, we determined whether other degradation pathways contributed to the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha)-induced degradation of PPARgamma proteins in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In these studies, 3T3-L1 cells were studied by performing subcellular fractionations and western blotting after various TNFalpha treatments. Whole tissue extracts from rat adipose tissue were also used to examine PPARgamma degradation. We observed that TNFalpha can induce a caspase-mediated degradation of PPARgamma proteins in the presence of cycloheximide. The caspase-mediated degradation of both PPARgamma1 and PPARgamma2 resulted in the generation of a specific 44-kd cleavage product. The specific cleavage product was unaffected by proteasome inhibitors, but was repressed by a general caspase inhibitor. Use of several specific caspase inhibitors revealed that caspase-1 was activated following treatment with TNFalpha and cycloheximide (CH), and inhibition of caspase-1 blocked the cleavage of PPARgamma proteins in cultured adipocytes. In addition, a similar PPARgamma degradation product was observed in rodent adipose tissue. In summary, this is the first study to demonstrate that PPARgamma levels can be modulated by caspase activity.

The Glucose Transporter 4-regulating Protein TUG Is Essential for Highly Insulin-responsive Glucose Uptake in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

Insulin stimulates glucose uptake in fat and muscle by redistributing GLUT4 glucose transporters from intracellular membranes to the cell surface. We previously proposed that, in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, TUG retains GLUT4 within unstimulated cells and insulin mobilizes this retained GLUT4 by stimulating its dissociation from TUG. Yet the relative importance of this action in the overall control of glucose uptake remains uncertain. Here we report that transient, small interfering RNA-mediated depletion of TUG causes GLUT4 translocation and enhances glucose uptake in unstimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, similar to insulin. Stable TUG depletion or expression of a dominant negative fragment likewise stimulates GLUT4 redistribution and glucose uptake, and insulin causes a 2-fold further increase. Microscopy shows that TUG governs the accumulation of GLUT4 in perinuclear membranes distinct from endosomes and indicates that it is this pool of GLUT4 that is mobilized by TUG disruption. Interestingly, in addition to translocating GLUT4 and enhancing glucose uptake, TUG disruption appears to accelerate the degradation of GLUT4 in lysosomes. Finally, we find that TUG binds directly and specifically to a large intracellular loop in GLUT4. Together, these findings demonstrate that TUG is required to retain GLUT4 intracellularly in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in the absence of insulin and further implicate the insulin-stimulated dissociation of TUG and GLUT4 as an important action by which insulin stimulates glucose uptake.

Requirement of Vimentin Filament Assembly for β3-Adrenergic Receptor Activation of ERK MAP Kinase and Lipolysis

Catecholamine stimulation of beta-adrenergic receptors (betaAR) in adipocytes activates the cAMP-dependent protein kinase to promote liberation of fatty acids as a fuel source. The adipocyte beta3AR also activates extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)-1 and -2 through direct recruitment and activation of Src kinase. This pathway together with cAMP-dependent protein kinase contributes to maximal beta3AR-stimulated lipolysis. In a search for other molecules that might associate with beta3AR upon agonist stimulation, we identified vimentin using a proteomics approach. Immunoprecipitation of beta3AR from adipocytes in the absence or presence of the beta3AR agonist CL316,243, followed by Western blotting for vimentin confirmed this specific interaction. Since vimentin has also been identified on lipid droplets, the functional consequences of blocking the expression or structural integrity of vimentin intermediate filaments on beta3AR regulation of ERK activation and lipolysis was assessed. Following disruption of intermediate filaments with beta,beta'-iminodipropionitrile, as confirmed by confocal microscopy, beta3AR-stimulated ERK activation was blocked, and lipolysis was reduced by more than 40%. Independently, depletion of vimentin by small hairpin RNA (shRNA) completely inhibited beta3AR-mediated ERK activation and significantly reduced lipolysis. By contrast, disruption of actin-containing microfilaments by cytochalasin D or microtubules by nocodazole had no effect on either lipolysis or ERK activation. These results indicate that vimentin plays an essential role in the signal transduction pathway from beta3AR to the activation ERK and its contribution to lipolysis.

Macrostemonoside A Promotes Visfatin Expression in 3T3-L1 Cells

The newly identified fat cell-secreted factor, visfatin, is insulin-mimetic and play a positive role in attenuating insulin resistance and diabetes. Natural steroidal saponins including tigogenin saponins have been reported to provide anti-diabetic activity and modulate glucose metabolism, but the mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we examined the effect of macrostemonoside A, a tigogenin steroidal saponin isolated from the bulbs of Allium macrostemon Bung on the expression of visfatin in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. It was found that macrostemonoside A markedly enhanced the synthesis and secretion of visfatin protein in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and increased visfatin mRNA in a dose and time dependent manner as well. Moreover, visfatin promoter-driven luciferase expression in cells was elevated by macrostemonoside A, which was blocked by SB-203580, a specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK pathway. Lastly, we found that macrostemonoside A did not affect the expression of PPARgamma and its DNA-binding ability to visfatin promoter. These results indicate that macrostemonoside A could potently stimulate visfatin expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, which occurs at the transcriptional level and is mediated at least partially via p38 MAPK signaling pathway. Its regulation on visfatin in adipocytes may constitute an important element in its improvement of insulin resistance and diabetes.