Enhanced glycogen metabolism in adipose tissue decreases triglyceride mobilization.

Adipose tissue is a primary site for lipid storage containing trace amounts of glycogen. However, refeeding after a prolonged partial fast produces a marked transient spike in adipose glycogen, which dissipates in coordination with the initiation of lipid resynthesis. To further study the potential interplay between glycogen and lipid metabolism in adipose tissue, the aP2-PTG transgenic mouse line was utilized since it contains a 100- to 400-fold elevation of adipocyte glycogen levels that are mobilized upon fasting.

The silencing mediator of retinoid and thyroid hormone receptors (SMRT) regulates adipose tissue accumulation and adipocyte insulin sensitivity in vivo.

The silencing mediator of retinoid and thyroid hormone receptors (SMRT) serves as a corepressor for nuclear receptors and other factors. Recent evidence suggests that SMRT is an important regulator of metabolism, but its role in adipocyte function in vivo remains unclear. We generated heterozygous SMRT knock-out (SMRT(+/-)) mice to investigate the function of SMRT in the adipocyte and the regulation of adipocyte insulin sensitivity.

Natural angiogenesis inhibitor signals through Erk5 activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma).

Erk-5, a member of the MAPK superfamily, has a catalytic domain similar to Erk1/2 and a unique C-terminal domain enabling binding with transcription factors. Aberrant vascularization in the Erk5-null mice suggested a link to angiogenesis. Ectopic expression of constitutively active Erk5 blocks endothelial cell morphogenesis and causes HIF1-alpha destabilization/degradation.

Altering PPARgamma ligand selectivity impairs adipogenesis by thiazolidinediones but not hormonal inducers.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) acts as a ligand-dependent transcription factor with a key role in mediating adipocyte differentiation and insulin sensitivity. Recently, we and others have shown that PPARgamma recruits the nuclear corepressors NCoR and silencing mediator for retinoid and thyroid hormone receptors (SMRT) to modulate adipogenesis. While the synthetic ligands for PPARgamma, the thiazolidinediones (TZD), are widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, the biologically relevant endogenous PPARgamma ligand involved in adipogenesis remains unidentified.

SMRT recruitment by PPARgamma is mediated by specific residues located in its carboxy-terminal interacting domain.

The silencing mediator of retinoid and thyroid hormone receptors (SMRT) has been shown to play an important role in adipogenesis and PPARgamma transcriptional activity. SMRT contains two interacting domains that mediate interactions with nuclear receptors. Interestingly, SMRT is recruited to PPARgamma via its C-terminal interacting domain, and mutation of the proximal interacting domain does not interfere with recruitment via PPARgamma.

SMRT recruitment by PPARgamma is mediated by specific residues located in its carboxy-terminal interacting domain.

The silencing mediator of retinoid and thyroid hormone receptors (SMRT) has been shown to play an important role in adipogenesis and PPARgamma transcriptional activity. SMRT contains two interacting domains that mediate interactions with nuclear receptors. Interestingly, SMRT is recruited to PPARgamma via its C-terminal interacting domain, and mutation of the proximal interacting domain does not interfere with recruitment via PPARgamma.