ABSTRACT
AIM: To study the role of acylation stimula ting protein (ASP) in the differentiation of 3T3-F442A preadipocytes. METHODS: Differentiation of 3T3-F442A preadipocytes was induced by ASP. The morphological changes were observed by Oil-Red O staining and the di fferentiation rate was compared. TG synthesis and TG mass in these cells were al so assayed. DNA synthesis was measured by -TdR incorporation. A typical differentiation inducer, insulin, was used as a positive control to compare thes e results. RESULTS: (1) 3T3-F442A preadipocytes were induced to differentia te by ASP alone. Fat droplets were clearly visible in the cytoplasm of 3T3-F442A cells. The differentiation rate was high (90%), but no significant difference w as observed, compared with that in insulin group (95%). (2) In ASP group, TG syn thesis and TG mass were significantly increased, both of them were higher than t hat in control group (P0.05). CONCLUSION: As a new adipocytes hormone, ASP plays an important biological role in the differentiation of preadipocytes.