This study determined the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial function and adipogenesis at mRNA and protein levels by transfecting rat differentiating preadipocytes with siRNA/Lipofectamine complex and pcDNA-PGC-1β (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1β)/Lipofectamine complex, respectively, to further elucidate the role of PGC-1β in white preadipocyte differentiation. The results showed that the transfection of PGC-1β siRNA inhibited the expressions of mitochondrial genes malate dehydrogenase, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1, nuclear respiratory factor 1, ATP synthesis, adipocyte differentiation key transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c and fatty acid synthetase, whereas the triglyceride synthesis was retarded (p < 0.05). Furthermore, overexpression of PGC-1β up-regulated the expressions of adipogenic and mitochondrial biosynthetic marker genes and promoted triglyceride accumulation during 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation. These observations suggest that PGC-1β modulates the expression of mitochondrial function and adipogenesis-related genes and affects white preadipocyte differentiation.
© 2011 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.