SFPQ associated with a co-activator for PPARγ, HELZ2, regulates key nuclear factors for adipocyte differentiation

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2021 Jul 12:562:139-145. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.05.014. Epub 2021 May 27.

Abstract

We recently isolated a novel co-activator of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, helicase with zinc finger 2 (HELZ2). HELZ2 null mice were resistant to diet-induced obesity and NAFFL/NASH, and HELZ2 was phosphorylated at tyrosine residues. In order to find a factor related to HELZ2, we analyzed products co-immunoprecipitated with phosphorylated HELZ2 by mass spectrometry analyses. We identified proline- and glutamine-rich (SFPQ) as a protein associating with tyrosine-phosphorylated HELZ2. The knockdown of SFPQ in 3T3-L1 cells downregulated mRNA levels of transcription factors including Krox20, Cebpβ, and Cebpδ: key factors for early-stage adipocyte differentiation. In addition, knockdown of SFPQ inhibited 3T3-L1 cell differentiation to mature adipocytes. These findings demonstrated that SFPQ associating with HELZ2 is an important novel transcriptional regulator of adipocyte differentiation.

Keywords: Adipocyte; Adipogenesis; Differentiation; Transcription.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3T3-L1 Cells
  • Adipocytes / cytology*
  • Adipocytes / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation*
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Lipid Droplets / metabolism
  • Mice
  • PPAR gamma / metabolism*
  • PTB-Associated Splicing Factor / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Phosphotyrosine / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • PPAR gamma
  • PTB-Associated Splicing Factor
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors
  • Phosphotyrosine