Evidence from in vitro differentiating cells that adrenoceptor agonists can increase uncoupling protein mRNA level in adipocytes of adult humans: an RT-PCR study.
In vivo data have suggested that adrenergic signals can reactivate dormant brown adipocytes in adult humans. We report here a system based on primary cultures of perirenal adipocytes from human adults and reverse transcription-PCR of uncoupling protein mRNA. Norepinephrine and compounds classified as beta 3-adrenoceptor agonists in rodents increased uncoupling protein mRNA level in human adipocytes (presumably brown adipocytes). Although we did not demonstrate that the observed effect was mediated by beta 3-adrenoceptors, it is proposed that this system could be used to appreciate the ability of beta-adrenoceptor agonists to activate UCP gene transcription and help to select beta 3-adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists prior to in vivo trials; indeed, the difficulty in developing such drugs that are effective in humans may result from the fact that the screening of molecules has historically been made in rodents.
Champigny
O
O
Centre de Recherche sur l'Endocrinologie Moléculaire et le Développement, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Meudon, France.
Ricquier
D
D
D017667:Adipocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D002001:Adipose Tissue, Brown / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D006929:Hyperaldosteronism / Q000378:metabolism; D007473:Ion Channels; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000378:metabolism; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000187:drug effects; D022702:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-3; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D000071256:Uncoupling Protein 1
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D007473:Ion Channels; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D022702:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-3; D000071256:Uncoupling Protein 1; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase