Formation of thermogenic adipocytes: What we have learned from pigs  

作　　者：Jianguo Zhao Cong Tao Chuanhe Chen Yanfang Wang Tianxia Liu 

机构地区：[1]State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology,Institute of Zoology,Chinese Academy of Sciences,Beijing,China [2]Savaid Medical School,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences,Beijing 100049,China [3]Institute of Animal Science,Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences,Beijing 100193,China [4]College of Life Sciences,Qingdao Agricultural University,Qingdao 266109,China [5]Institute for Stem cell and Regeneration,Chinese Academy of Sciences,Beijing 100101,China

出　　处：《Fundamental Research》2021年第4期495-502,共8页自然科学基础研究（英文版）

基　　金：This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31601008,81671274,31272440 and 31801031);the National Transgenic Project of China(2016ZX08009003–006–007)。

摘　　要：Thermogenic adipocytes, including brown and beige adipocytes, are capable of dissipating energy via heat production in response to external stimuli, such as cold exposure and exercise. This distinct feature makes them promising targets for therapy of obesity and related metabolic disease. In most mammals, the thermogenic function relies on uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), which creates a proton leak across the inner mitochondrial membrane, diverting protons away from ATP synthesis and resulting in heat dissipation. However, that is not the case in pigs. Accumulating evidence suggested that in pigs neither functional UCP1 nor brown adipocytes were identified, which might be the leading cause for cold stress-caused neonatal mortality and greater adiposity. In our previous study, beige adipocyte formation was found in cold-tolerant pig breeds, together with the finding that UCP1 knock-in improved thermoregulatory ability and decreased fat deposition in pigs, suggesting the potential application of beige induction in pigs for both agricultural purpose and biomedical implication. In this context, we review the anatomical features, developmental origins, plasticity, transcriptional regulation, and the metabolic benefits of thermogenic adipocytes. Particularly, we describe the contribution of beige adipocytes and reconstitution of UCP1 to improve cold sensitivity and decrease fat deposition in pigs. Furthermore, future undertaking regarding beige adipocyte formation in pigs and its potential application is also discussed.

关 键 词：THERMOGENESIS Beige adipocytes PIGS 

分 类 号：Q27[生物学—细胞生物学]