Initiation of a process of differentiation by stable transfection of ob17 preadipocytes with the cDNA of human A1 adenosine receptor

• Published in: Biochemical pharmacology 1999-07, Vol.58 (1), p.167-170
• Main Authors: TATSIS-KOTSIDIS, I, ERLANGER, B. F
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adipocytes - cytology; Adipocytes - physiology; Azo Compounds; Biological and medical sciences; Cell Differentiation - physiology; Cell differentiation, maturation, development, hematopoiesis; Cell physiology; Cells, Cultured; Coloring Agents; DNA, Complementary - genetics; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Molecular and cellular biology; Receptors, Purinergic P1 - genetics; Receptors, Purinergic P1 - physiology; Transfection
• ISSN: 0006-2952; 1873-2968
• DOI: 10.1016/S0006-2952(99)00069-6

A process of differentiation was observed when ob17 preadipocyte cells were stably transfected with a vector containing the cDNA of the human A1 adenosine receptor of adipose tissue. Growth of the cell lines continued but was slowed relative to untransfected cells and cells transfected with vector alone, never attaining confluence. During this process, cells were observed to differentiate morphologically and to accumulate lipid droplets in their cytoplasm, droplets that stained with Oil red-O. During that same period of time, cells transfected with vector alone multiplied rapidly, attained confluence, and showed no signs of differentiation. We conclude that expression of the A1 adenosine receptor initiated a differentiation process that resembled aspects of the normal differentiation of preadipocytes. If so, a role for the A1 receptor in normal preadipocyte differentiation should be considered, perhaps after cell-to-cell contact occurs at confluence.