AICAR, an activator of AMPK, inhibits adipogenesis via the WNT/β-catenin pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

  • Authors:
    • Haeyong Lee
    • Ryunhwa Kang
    • Sungmin Bae
    • Yoosik Yoon
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: April 13, 2011     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2011.674
  • Pages: 65-71
Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


Abstract

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is known to sense the cellular energy state and regulates various cellular energy metabolism pathways through its activation by AMP, an indicator of a low-energy state. 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR), an activator of AMPK, efficiently inhibited the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells. To elucidate its possible mechanism of action, the expression levels of β-catenin and other members of the WNT/β-catenin pathway were analyzed during the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells in the presence or absence of AICAR. It was found that AICAR significantly enhanced β-catenin expression and its nuclear accumulation. Transfection of β-catenin small interfering RNA (siRNA) significantly prevented the effects of AICAR on the expression of various genes. The expression of the major genes of adipogenesis including the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ, the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EPB)α, the fatty acid binding protein (FABP)4 and lipoprotein lipase (LPL), which were all reduced by AICAR treatment, were significantly recovered in β-catenin siRNA-transfected cells. Among the members of the WNT/β-catenin pathway, the expression of low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP)6, dishevelled (DVL)2 and DVL3 were significantly up-regulated by AICAR treatment, whereas the expression of AXIN was down-regulated. The present study provides compelling evidence that AICAR inhibits adipogenesis through the modulation of the WNT/β‑catenin pathway.

Related Articles

Journal Cover

July 2011
Volume 28 Issue 1

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Lee H, Kang R, Bae S and Yoon Y: AICAR, an activator of AMPK, inhibits adipogenesis via the WNT/β-catenin pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Int J Mol Med 28: 65-71, 2011.
APA
Lee, H., Kang, R., Bae, S., & Yoon, Y. (2011). AICAR, an activator of AMPK, inhibits adipogenesis via the WNT/β-catenin pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 28, 65-71. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2011.674
MLA
Lee, H., Kang, R., Bae, S., Yoon, Y."AICAR, an activator of AMPK, inhibits adipogenesis via the WNT/β-catenin pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 28.1 (2011): 65-71.
Chicago
Lee, H., Kang, R., Bae, S., Yoon, Y."AICAR, an activator of AMPK, inhibits adipogenesis via the WNT/β-catenin pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 28, no. 1 (2011): 65-71. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2011.674