title: Dexras1 mediates glucocorticoid-associated adipogenesis and diet-induced obesity.
abstract: Adipogenesis, the conversion of precursor cells into adipocytes, is associated with obesity and is mediated by glucocorticoids acting via hitherto poorly characterized mechanisms. Dexras1 is a small G protein of the Ras family discovered on the basis of its marked induction by the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone. We show that Dexras1 mediates adipogenesis and diet-induced obesity. Adipogenic differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells is abolished with Dexras1 depletion, whereas overexpression of Dexras1 elicits adipogenesis. Adipogenesis is markedly reduced in mouse embryonic fibroblasts from Dexras1-deleted mice, whereas adiposity and diet-induced weight gain are diminished in the mutant mice.
authors.affiliation: The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience and Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205.
authors.forename: Jiyoung Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Cha
authors.forename: Hyo Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jung Hwan
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Daham
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Bindu D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: Hyeonjin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Seyun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Yoo Jeong
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Gary P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Solomon H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Snyder
authors.forename: Jae-Woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D041721:3T3-L1 Cells; D050156:Adipogenesis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009765:Obesity / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018631:ras Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone; C498511:Rasd1 protein, mouse; D018631:ras Proteins
keywords: Cushing disease; cyclic AMP; insulin; nitric oxide