Involvement of calcium channels in the regulation of adipogenesis

Figures & data

Figure 1. The schematic diagram of the process of adipogenesis

Adipocytes are derived from pre-adipocytes/bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). The processes of adipogenesis, including two steps, hyperplasia (proliferation and differentiation, increased fat cell number) and hypertrophy (expansion, increased fat cell size). Upon adipogenesis, the increased adipose tissue mass (fat deposition) causes obesity.

Figure 2. The schematic diagram of the involvement of Ca²⁺-permeable ion channels in adipogenesis

In pre-adipocytes or bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), several different types of Ca²⁺-permeable ion channels, such as Ca²⁺ release-activated Ca²⁺ (CRAC) channels, transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, voltage-gated calcium (Cav) channels and other channels, are expressed and contributed in adipogenesis. Upon these channels activation by respective stimuli, extracellular Ca²⁺ entry into the cytoplasm. And the increase of cytosolic Ca²⁺ modulates adipogenesis by promoting transcription via different mechanisms. PPARγ: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ; C/EBPα: CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein α.