PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - James E. Merrett
AU  - Tao Bo
AU  - Peter J. Psaltis
AU  - Christopher G. Proud
TI  - Identification of DNA response elements regulating expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) β and δ during early adipogenesis
AID  - 10.1101/2020.05.22.110114
DP  - 2020 Jan 01
TA  - bioRxiv
PG  - 2020.05.22.110114
4099  - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2020/05/22/2020.05.22.110114.short
4100  - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2020/05/22/2020.05.22.110114.full
AB  - Given the high and increasing prevalence of obesity and associated disorders, such as type-2 diabetes, it is important to understand the mechanisms that regulate lipid storage and the differentiation of fat cells, a process termed adipogenesis. Using the well-established mouse 3T3-L1 in vitro model of adipogenesis, we refine how the induction of two key adipogenic transcription factors, CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBPs) β and δ are regulated during early adipogenesis. We identify, in the gene promoters of Cebpb and Cebpd, the DNA response elements responsible for binding transcription factors that are activated by cAMP or glucocorticoids. We also show that mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-interacting kinase 2 (MNK2; Mknk2), which plays a distinct role in diet-induced obesity, is induced during early adipogenesis and identify the functional DNA response elements responsible for regulating its expression. Mknk2 expression is maintained in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes and is expressed at high levels across a range of mouse adipose tissue depots. Together, these new insights help to clarify the transcriptional program of early adipogenesis and identify Mknk2 as one of potentially many genes up-regulated during adipogenesis.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.