Xanthine oxidoreductase is a regulator of adipogenesis and PPARgamma activity

Cell Metab. 2007 Feb;5(2):115-28. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2007.01.005.

Abstract

In an effort to identify novel candidate regulators of adipogenesis, gene profiling of differentiating 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was analyzed using a novel algorithm. We report here the characterization of xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) as a novel regulator of adipogenesis. XOR lies downstream of C/EBPbeta and upstream of PPARgamma, in the cascade of factors that control adipogenesis, and it regulates PPARgamma activity. In vitro, knockdown of XOR inhibits adipogenesis and PPARgamma activity while constitutive overexpression increases activity of the PPARgamma receptor in both adipocytes and preadipocytes. In vivo, XOR -/- mice demonstrate 50% reduction in adipose mass versus wild-type littermates while obese ob/ob mice exhibit increased concentrations of XOR mRNA and urate in the adipose tissue. We propose that XOR is a novel regulator of adipogenesis and of PPARgamma activity and essential for the regulation of fat accretion. Our results identify XOR as a potential therapeutic target for metabolic abnormalities beyond hyperuricemia.

MeSH terms

  • 3T3-L1 Cells
  • Adipocytes / cytology
  • Adipocytes / drug effects
  • Adipocytes / enzymology
  • Adipogenesis* / drug effects
  • Adipose Tissue / drug effects
  • Adipose Tissue / enzymology
  • Adiposity / drug effects
  • Animals
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-alpha / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Organ Size / drug effects
  • PPAR gamma / genetics*
  • PPAR gamma / metabolism*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Rosiglitazone
  • Thiazolidinediones / pharmacology
  • Xanthine Dehydrogenase / deficiency
  • Xanthine Dehydrogenase / genetics
  • Xanthine Dehydrogenase / metabolism*

Substances

  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-alpha
  • PPAR gamma
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Thiazolidinediones
  • Rosiglitazone
  • Xanthine Dehydrogenase

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE6795