Leptin and UCP1 genes are reciprocally regulated in brown adipose tissue

In a previous work we showed that only unilocular brown adipocytes express leptin. In order to investigate the relationship between leptin gene expression, brown adipocyte activity (UCP1) and morphology, we studied brown adipose tissues of mice (C57BL, female, 7 weeks old) acclimated at different te...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Endocrinology (Philadelphia) 1998-11, Vol.139 (11), p.4747-4750
Main Authors: Cancello, R, Zingaretti, M C, Sarzani, R, Ricquier, D, Cinti, S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adipose Tissue, Brown - physiology
Animals
Blotting, Northern
Carrier Proteins - biosynthesis
Carrier Proteins - genetics
Densitometry
Female
Immunohistochemistry
In Situ Hybridization
Ion Channels
Leptin
Membrane Proteins - biosynthesis
Membrane Proteins - genetics
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Mitochondrial Proteins
Protein Biosynthesis
Proteins - genetics
Uncoupling Protein 1
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Summary:In a previous work we showed that only unilocular brown adipocytes express leptin. In order to investigate the relationship between leptin gene expression, brown adipocyte activity (UCP1) and morphology, we studied brown adipose tissues of mice (C57BL, female, 7 weeks old) acclimated at different temperatures (19 degrees C and 28 degrees C). Northern blot analysis revealed higher leptin and lower UCP1 mRNA levels in mice exposed to 28 degrees C than in the group acclimated at 19 degrees C. Also protein expression (immunohistochemistry) differed in the two groups: at 28 degrees C brown adipocytes were positive for leptin and only weakly positive for UCP1, while at 19 degrees C they were leptin-negative and UCP1-positive. In the former group the morphology was mainly unilocular. Our data suggest that in brown adipocytes of warm-acclimated mice leptin expression is closely related to their hypoactive functional stage, as evidenced by their low level of UCP1 synthesis and the morphological rearrangement of the lipid content (unilocularity).
ISSN:0013-7227
DOI:10.1210/en.139.11.4747