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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #98084
Title: ADIPOSE TISSUE REGULATORY TRANSCRIPT EXPRESSION IN OBESE VERSUS LEAN PIGS

Author
item MCNEEL, RONALD - BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MED
item DING, SHIH-TORNG - BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MED
item Mersmann, Harry

Submitted to: Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: An interpretive summary is not required for this abstract.

Technical Abstract: Several adipocyte transcription factors form a cascade to regulate each other as well as adipocyte differentiation and growth. We investigated the expression of transcripts for several transcription factors and of transcripts for adipocyte characteristic proteins to ascertain whether they contribute to the distinct adipocyte growth characteristics seen in genetically obese compared to lean pigs. Weaned pigs were fed ad libitum from 3 to 8 weeks of age. Expression of transcripts was measured by northern analysis and normalized to 18S ribosomal RNA. Percent gain in body weight/day, dorsal fat thickness, adipocyte cell volume, and leptin transcript levels were all greater (P$<$0.1) in obese than lean pigs. Transcription factor transcript levels for CCAAT/enhance binding protein $\alpha$ and $\beta$(C/EBP$\alpha$ and C/EBP$\beta$) were higher (P$<$0.01) in obese than lean pigs, whereas those for peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor $\gamma$ (PPAR$\gamma$) were the same. Transcript level for the adipocyte characteristic proteins, fatty acid binding protein (aP2, P$<$0.05) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL, P$<$0.1), were also greater in obese than lean pigs. Results suggest that higher levels of transcripts for transcription factors C/EBP$\alpha$ and C/EBP$\beta$ may contribute to the greater levels of LPL and aP2 transcripts and ultimately to the greater adipocyte volume and adiposity in obese compared to lean pigs.