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Transcriptional regulation of uncoupling protein-2 gene expression in L6 myotubes

International Journal of Obesity volume 25, pages 1619–1624 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To increase the understanding of the transcriptional regulation of UCP2 gene expression in skeletal muscle cells, we examined the effect of all-trans-retinoic acid (tRA), a ligand (after the conversion to 9-cis-RA) of the retinoid X receptor (RXR), and linolenic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) ligand, on the expression of UCP2 mRNA in cultured L6 myotubes.

RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: UCP2 gene expression in L6 myotubes was confirmed by Northern blot analysis. The time- and concentration-dependency of tRA and linolenic acid on UCP2 gene expression was assessed by dot blot quantification. The mRNA levels of PPAR subtypes (α, γ and δ) were determined by RT-PCR.

RESULTS: tRA induced UCP2 gene expression in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Similar to tRA, UCP2 mRNA was markedly increased by 0.5 mM linolenic acid. In L6 myotubes, PPARδ mRNA was abundant, whereas PPARα mRNA was lower and PPARγ mRNA was minimal.

CONCLUSIONS: UCP2 mRNA expression in L6 myotubes is up-regulated by tRA and linolenic acid, possibly through a mechanism involving PPAR and RXRs.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Mike Matheny for skillful technical assistance. We also thank Shigeru Takeshita for his special support in RT-PCR. This work was supported by the Medical Research Service of the Department of Veterans Affairs and National Institute on Aging Grant AG-17047.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Metabolic Diseases, Medicinal Biology Research Laboratories, Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, Osaka, Japan

    Y Hatakeyama

  2. Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida, USA

    PJ Scarpace

  3. Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA

    PJ Scarpace

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  1. Y Hatakeyama
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Correspondence to Y Hatakeyama.

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Hatakeyama, Y., Scarpace, P. Transcriptional regulation of uncoupling protein-2 gene expression in L6 myotubes. Int J Obes 25, 1619–1624 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801812

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