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Title: MicroRNA regulation in mammalian adipogenesis

Author
item ROMAO, J - University Of Alberta
item WEIWU, J - University Of Alberta
item DODSON, M - Washington State University
item Hausman, Gary
item LELU, G - University Of Alberta
item MOORE, S - University Of Alberta
item GUAN, L - Ministry Of Science And Innovation, Csic

Submitted to: Experimental Biology and Medicine
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/23/2011
Publication Date: 9/1/2011
Citation: Romao, J.M., Weiwu, J., Dodson, M.V., Hausman, G.J., Lelu, G., Moore, S.S., Guan, L.L. 2011. MicroRNA regulation in mammalian adipogenesis. Experimental Biology and Medicine. 236(9):997-1004.

Interpretive Summary: Fat cell formation is a very complex process that is regulated by a number of factors. Recent studies have discovered a family of small RNA molecues that are involved in the regulatory network of many developmental processes including fat cell formation. Understanding the role of these small RNA molecues in fat cell formation in meat animals is extremely important to our potential success to regulate and control fat tissue deposition. Identification of small RNA molecues in fat cells will provide more potential points to block or antagonize fat cell growth in meat animals.

Technical Abstract: Adipogenesis, the complex fat cell development from preadipocyte or mesenchymal stem cell to mature adipocytes, is essential for fat formation and metabolism of adipose tissues in mammals. It has been reported to be regulated by hormones and various adipogenic transcription factors which are expressed as a transcriptional cascade promoting the adipocyte differentiation, leading to the mature adipocyte phenotype. Recent findings indicate that microRNAs (miRNAs), a family of small RNA molecules of approximately 22 nucleotides in length, are involved in the regulatory network of many biological processes, including cell differentiation, through post-transcriptional regulation of transcription factors and/or other genes. In this review, we focus on the recent understanding of the roles of microRNAs in the adipogenesis, including the most recent and relevant findings that support the role of several microRNAs as pro or anti-adipogenic factors regulating adipogenesis in mice, human and cattle to propose the future role of miRNA in adipogenesis of farm animal models.