Epigenetic Regulation of Adipogenesis by Histone-Modifying Enzymes

Abstract

Many studies investigating the transcriptional control of adipogenesis have been published so far; recently the research is focusing on the role of epigenetic mechanisms in regulating the process of adipocyte development. Histone-modifying enzymes and the histone tails post-transcriptional modifications catalyzed by them, are fundamentally involved in the epigenetic regulation of adipogenesis. In our review, we will discuss recent advances in epigenomic regulation of adipogenesis with a focus on histone-modifying enzymes implicated in the various phases of adipocytes differentiation process from mesenchymal stem cells to mature adipocytes. Understanding adipogenesis, may provide new ways to treat obesity and related metabolic diseases.

Keywords::

• adipogenesis
• brown adipose tissue
• epigenetics
• histone modifications
• obesity
• white adipose tissue

Author contributions

Paolo Emidio Macchia and Paola Ungaro conceived and designed the review. Immacolata Cristina Nettore, Fabiana Franchini and Laura Santana-Viera performed literature search; Paola Ungaro and Paolo Emidio Macchia wrote the paper. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.