title: Characterization of Pref-1 and its inhibitory role in adipocyte differentiation.
abstract: Differentiation of preadipocytes to mature adipocytes is accompanied by marked increases in enzymes of lipid metabolism and cytoskeletal remodelling of fibroblastic preadipocytes to rounded lipid-filled mature adipocytes. Studies to date indicate this process is under the control of specific transcription factors, cell-cell and cell-environment interactions. Preadipocyte factor-1 (pref-1), a member of the EGF-like protein family, was identified during the differential screening of cDNAs expressed in differentiating preadipocytes. Multiple forms of the protein are present in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes with heterogeneity attributable both to alternate splicing and various post-translational modifications. Pref-1 is unique in that its expression is completely abolished during the maturation of preadipocytes to adipocytes. Moreover, blocking down-regulation via constitutive expression of pref-1 in preadipocytes inhibits their differentiation. The expression pattern of pref-1 in embryonic tissues and its presence in tumors indicate that in addition to its function in adipocyte differentiation, pref-1 may have a broader role in differentiation and development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of California, Berkeley 94720, USA.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Smas
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Sul
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D017385:Sequence Homology
chemical_list: D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; C512925:Dlk1 protein, mouse; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor