Role of preadipocyte factor I in adipocyte differentiation

Abstract

Preadipocyte factor 1 (Pref‑1) is an EGF‑repeat‑containing transmembrane protein that inhibits adipogenesis. The extracellular domain of Pref‑1 is cleaved by TNF‑a converting enzyme to generate the biologically active soluble form of Pref‑1. The role of Pref‑1 in adipogenesis has been firmly established by in vitro and in vivo studies. Pref‑1 activates ERK/MAPK and upregulates Sox9 expression to inhibit adipocyte differentiation. Sox9 directly binds to the promoter regions of CCAAT/enhancer‑binding protein‑b and CCAAT/enhancer‑binding protein‑d in order to suppress their promoter activities in preventing adipocyte differentiation. Here, we describe the function of Pref‑1 in adipocyte differentiation and the recent findings on the mechanisms by which Pref‑1 inhibits adipocyte differentiation.

Keywords:

• adipocyte differentiation
• CCAAT/enhancer‑binding protein‑b
• CCAAT/enhancer‑binding protein‑d
• EGF‑like domain
• extracellular signalingregulated kinase/mitogen‑activated protein kinase
• preadipocyte factor 1
• Sox9
• TNF‑a converting enzyme