EHD2 regulates adipocyte function and is enriched at cell surface-associated lipid droplets in primary human adipocytes

Mol Biol Cell. 2019 May 1;30(10):1147-1159. doi: 10.1091/mbc.E18-10-0680. Epub 2019 Feb 27.

Abstract

Adipocytes play a central role in energy balance, and dysfunctional adipose tissue severely affects systemic energy homeostasis. The ATPase EH domain-containing 2 (EHD2) has previously been shown to regulate caveolae, plasma membrane-specific domains that are involved in lipid uptake and signal transduction. Here, we investigated the role of EHD2 in adipocyte function. We demonstrate that EHD2 protein expression is highly up-regulated at the onset of triglyceride accumulation during adipocyte differentiation. Small interfering RNA-mediated EHD2 silencing affected the differentiation process and impaired insulin sensitivity, lipid storage capacity, and lipolysis. Fluorescence imaging revealed localization of EHD2 to caveolae, close to cell surface-associated lipid droplets in primary human adipocytes. These lipid droplets stained positive for glycerol transporter aquaporin 7 and phosphorylated perilipin-1 following adrenergic stimulation. Further, EHD2 overexpression in human adipocytes increased the lipolytic signaling and suppressed the activity of transcription factor PPARγ. Overall, these data suggest that EHD2 plays a key role for adipocyte function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3T3-L1 Cells
  • Adipocytes / cytology
  • Adipocytes / metabolism*
  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Carrier Proteins / physiology*
  • Caveolae / metabolism
  • Caveolin 1 / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lipid Droplets / metabolism*
  • Lipid Droplets / pathology
  • Lipolysis
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Primary Cell Culture
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Caveolin 1
  • EHD2 protein, human
  • EHD2 protein, mouse
  • Membrane Proteins