Pref-1, a protein containing EGF-like repeats, inhibits adipocyte differentiation.
With the aim of identifying novel regulators of adipocyte differentiation, we have cloned and characterized preadipocyte factor 1 (pref-1), a novel member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like family of proteins. Pref-1 is synthesized as a transmembrane protein with six tandem EGF-like repeats. In preadipocytes, multiple discrete forms of pref-1 protein of 45-60 kd are present, owing in part to N-linked glycosylation. While pref-1 mRNA is abundant in preadipocytes, its expression is completely abolished during differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes to adipocytes. Moreover, constitutive expression of pref-1 in preadipocytes, which in effect blocks its down-regulation, drastically inhibits adipose differentiation. This indicates that pref-1 functions as a negative regulator of adipocyte differentiation, possibly in a manner analogous to EGF-like proteins that govern cell fate decisions in invertebrates.
Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.
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D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000166:cytology*; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010949:Plasma / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D017385:Sequence Homology
D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; C512925:Dlk1 protein, mouse; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor