SENP2 regulates UCP1-dependent thermogenesis in brown adipocytes via deSUMOylation of ERRα.

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is responsible for energy homeostasis and adaptive thermogenesis. SUMO-specific protease 2 (SENP2) plays an essential role in adipogenesis; however, the role of SENP2 in BAT metabolism has not been explored. Here we investigated the role of SENP2 in mature brown adipocytes with a brown adipocyte-specific SENP2 knockout (Senp2-BKO) mouse model generated using the uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1)-Cre.

The brown fat-specific overexpression of RBP4 improves thermoregulation and systemic metabolism by activating the canonical adrenergic signaling pathway.

Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), the sole specific carrier for retinol (vitamin A) in circulation, is highly expressed in liver and adipose tissues. Previous studies have demonstrated that RBP4 plays a role in cold-mediated adipose tissue browning and thermogenesis. However, the role of RBP4 in brown adipose tissue and its metabolic significance remain unclear.

In Vivo Differentiation of Endogenous Bone Marrow-Derived Cells into Insulin-Producing Cells Using Four Soluble Factors.

Four soluble factors-putrescine, glucosamine, nicotinamide, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibitor BP-1-102-were shown to differentiate bone marrow mononucleated cells (BMNCs) into functional insulin-producing cells (IPCs) in vitro. Transplantation of these IPCs improved hyperglycemia in diabetic mice. However, the role of endogenous BMNC regeneration in this effect was unclear.

Direct Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mononucleated Cells Into Insulin-Producing Cells Using 4 Specific Soluble Factors.

Bone marrow-derived stem cells are self-renewing and multipotent adult stem cells that differentiate into several types of cells. Here, we investigated a unique combination of 4 differentiation-inducing factors (DIFs), including putrescine (Put), glucosamine (GlcN), nicotinamide, and BP-1-102, to develop a differentiation method for inducing mature insulin-producing cells (IPCs) and apply this method to bone marrow mononucleated cells (BMNCs) isolated from mice. BMNCs, primed with the 4 soluble DIFs, were differentiated into functional IPCs.