Expression landscape of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) during adipogenesis and diet-induced obesity

Abstract

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are key regulators of various cellular processes, including mRNA splicing, transport, stability, and translation. They play a crucial role in post-transcriptional gene regulation by interacting with specific RNA sequences or structures. RBPs can also influence the localization of mRNAs within the cell and participate in the formation of RNA-protein complexes that control gene expression. Dysregulation or mutations in RBPs have been associated with a wide range of diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, and developmental abnormalities. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of RBPs in regulating adipocyte differentiation, lipid metabolism, and insulin sensitivity. However, the global expression patterns and functional contributions of RBPs during adipogenesis and in regulating adipocyte functioning remain poorly understood. Identifying and characterizing RBPs during adipogenesis could provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying adipocyte differentiation and potentially lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for obesity-related disorders. Using a combination of bioinformatics tools and experimental validation, we identified a set of novel RBPs that may have important roles in adipogenesis and adipocyte functioning. We analyzed the expression of the entire repertoire of RBPs during the adipogenic differentiation of murine adipocyte cell line, 3T3-L1 and assessed the expression of RBPs in stromal vesicular fraction (SVF) and adipocyte fraction of mouse epididymal adipose tissue. We also evaluated the impact of high fat diet on the expression of RBPs in adipocytes isolated from mouse epididymal adipose tissue. We found a number of RBPS that were significantly up- or down-regulated in 3T3-L1 cells during adipogenic differentiation and were enriched in the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) or adipocyte fraction of mouse adipose tissue. In addition, they exhibited differential expression in adipocytes isolated from diet-induced obese mice compared to control mice. The majority of these RBPs have no known role in adipogenesis or adipose metabolism. These proteins could potentially play a novel role in adipogenic differentiation and adipose metabolism, suggesting the presence of previously unknown regulatory mechanisms. Further investigation is needed to understand the specific functions of these RBPs and their potential impact on adipose tissue development and metabolism. This discovery opens up new avenues for research in uncovering the intricate regulatory networks involved in adipogenesis and adipose tissue homeostasis.