MicroRNA-27a/b-3p and PPARG regulate SCAMP3 through a feed-forward loop during adipogenesis

Sci Rep. 2019 Sep 25;9(1):13891. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-50210-3.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNA) modulate gene expression through feed-back and forward loops. Previous studies identified miRNAs that regulate transcription factors, including Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor Gamma (PPARG), in adipocytes, but whether they influence adipogenesis via such regulatory loops remain elusive. Here we predicted and validated a novel feed-forward loop regulating adipogenesis and involved miR-27a/b-3p, PPARG and Secretory Carrier Membrane Protein 3 (SCAMP3). In this loop, expression of both PPARG and SCAMP3 was independently suppressed by miR-27a/b-3p overexpression. Knockdown of PPARG downregulated SCAMP3 expression at the late phase of adipogenesis, whereas reduction of SCAMP3 mRNA levels increased PPARG expression at early phase in differentiation. The latter was accompanied with upregulation of adipocyte-enriched genes, including ADIPOQ and FABP4, suggesting an anti-adipogenic role for SCAMP3. PPARG and SCAMP3 exhibited opposite behaviors regarding correlations with clinical phenotypes, including body mass index, body fat mass, adipocyte size, lipolytic and lipogenic capacity, and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. While adipose PPARG expression was associated with more favorable metabolic phenotypes, SCAMP3 expression was linked to increased fat mass and insulin resistance. Together, we identified a feed-forward loop through which miR-27a/b-3p, PPARG and SCAMP3 cooperatively fine tune the regulation of adipogenesis, which potentially may impact whole body metabolism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipocytes / physiology
  • Adipogenesis / genetics*
  • Adipogenesis / physiology
  • Adipose Tissue / physiology
  • Body Mass Index
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics*
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Down-Regulation / genetics
  • Down-Regulation / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Insulin Resistance / genetics
  • Insulin Resistance / physiology
  • Lipogenesis / genetics
  • Lipogenesis / physiology
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • PPAR gamma / genetics*
  • Phenotype
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Up-Regulation / genetics
  • Up-Regulation / physiology

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • MIRN27 microRNA, human
  • Membrane Proteins
  • MicroRNAs
  • PPAR gamma
  • PPARG protein, human
  • RNA, Messenger
  • SCAMP3 protein, human