title: The mitogenic and antiapoptotic actions of ghrelin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.
abstract: Ghrelin, a stomach-derived hormone, induces adiposity when administered to rodents. Because ghrelin receptor is abundantly expressed in adipose tissue, we investigated the role of ghrelin in adipocyte biology. We observed ghrelin receptor expression in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and adipocytes. Treatment of preadipocytes with ghrelin induced cellular proliferation and differentiation to mature adipocytes, as well as basal and insulin-stimulated glucose transport, but it inhibited adipocyte apoptosis induced by serum deprivation. Exposure of 3T3-L1 cells to ghrelin caused a rapid activation of MAPKs, especially ERK1/2. Chemical inhibition of MAPK blocked the mitogenic and antiapoptotic effects of ghrelin. Ghrelin also stimulated the insulin receptor substrate-associated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and adipocytes, whereas inhibition of this pathway blocked the effects of ghrelin on cell proliferation, antiapoptosis and glucose uptake. These findings suggest that the direct effects of ghrelin on proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis in adipocytes may play a role in regulating fat cell number. These effects may be mediated via activation of the MAPK and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathways.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 28 Yongon-dong, Chongno-gu, Seoul 110-744, Korea.
authors.forename: Min Seon
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Cho Ya
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Pil Geum
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Young Joo
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Chan Soo
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Hye Sun
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Je Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.forename: Youngmi Kim
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Pak
authors.forename: Joong Yeol
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Ki Up
authors.initials: KU
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Seong Yeon
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hong Kyu
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Young Bum
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kyong Soo
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D041721:3T3-L1 Cells; D017667:Adipocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D015870:Gene Expression; D054439:Ghrelin; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D036361:Peptide Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology; D017853:Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor) / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D054440:Receptors, Ghrelin
chemical_list: D054439:Ghrelin; D036361:Peptide Hormones; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D054440:Receptors, Ghrelin; D017853:Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor); D005947:Glucose