miR-27a is a negative regulator of adipocyte differentiation via suppressing PPAR gamma expression

Abstract

microRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding small RNAs regulating gene expression, cell growth, and differentiation Although several miRNAs have been implicated in cell growth and differentiation, it is barely understood their roles in adipocyte differentiation. In the present Study, we reveal that miR-27a is involved in adipocyte differentiation by binding to the PPAR gamma 3'-UTR whose sequence motifs are highly conserved in mammals. During adipogenesis, the expression level of miR-27a was inversely correlated with that of adipogenic marker genes such as PPAR gamma and adiponectin In white adipose tissue, miR-27a was more abundantly expressed in stromal vascular cell fraction than in mature adipocyte fraction Ectopic expression of miR-27a in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes repressed adipocyte differentiation by reducing PPAR gamma expression Interestingly, the level of miR-27a in mature adipocyte fraction of obese mice was down-regulated than that of lean mice Together. these results suggest that miR-27a would suppress adipocyte differentiation through targeting PPAR gamma and thereby clown-regulation of miR-27a might be associated with adipose tissue dysregulation in obesity (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc All rights reserved.