Sequences of acetyl CoA carboxylase promoter for tumour necrosis factor action
1993
How TNF Affects Fat Cell Development
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Keerang Park, Michael E. Pape, Ki-Han Kim
Primary Institution: Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University
Hypothesis
TNF inhibits the accumulation of acetyl CoA carboxylase mRNA by decreasing the rate of ACC gene transcription.
Conclusion
The study shows that TNF significantly inhibits the transcription of the ACC gene, which is crucial for fat cell development.
Supporting Evidence
- TNF treatment causes a decrease in the binding activity of nuclear proteins specific to the TNF responsive element.
- TNF completely inhibits the conversion of preadipocytes to adipocytes in culture.
- Specific binding of nuclear proteins to the TNF responsive region is diminished upon TNF treatment.
Takeaway
When the body has a chronic infection or cancer, a substance called TNF stops fat cells from forming, which can lead to weight loss.
Methodology
The study used 5' deletion mutants of promoter II fused to the CAT gene, DNA mobility shift assays, and DNase I footprinting assays to analyze the effects of TNF.
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