The conversion of white adipocytes to thermogenic beige adipocytes represents a potential mechanism to treat obesity and related metabolic disorders. However, the mechanisms involved in converting white to beige adipose tissue remain incompletely understood. Here we show profound beiging in a genetic mouse model lacking the transcriptional repressor Krüppel-like factor 3 (KLF3).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGenome editing to introduce specific mutations or to knock out genes in model cell systems has become an efficient platform for research in the fields of molecular biology, genetics, and cell biology. With recent rapid improvements in genome editing techniques, bench-top manipulation of the genome in cell culture has become progressively easier. The application of this knowledge to erythroid cell culture systems now allows the rapid analysis of the downstream effects of virtually any engineered gene disruption or modification in cell systems.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Lgals3 gene encodes a multifunctional β-galactoside-binding protein, galectin-3. Galectin-3 has been implicated in a broad range of biological processes from chemotaxis and inflammation to fibrosis and apoptosis. The role of galectin-3 as a modulator of inflammation has been studied intensively, and recent evidence suggests that it may serve as a protective factor in obesity and other metabolic disorders.
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