SIRT1 induces the adipogenic differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells by regulating RA-induced RAR expression via NCOR1 acetylation.

SIRT1 (NAD+-dependent deacetylase) plays a suppressive role during the late stages of adipogenesis. However, the effects of SIRT1 on the early phases of adipogenic differentiation from embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are poorly understood. We employed Sirt1+/+ and Sirt1-/- mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) to evaluate the role of SIRT1 during the early stage mESC differentiation to adipocytes in response to retinoic acid (RA) treatment. Treatment with EX527 (a SIRT1 inhibitor) during the early phase and SIRT1 knockout both significantly diminished differentiation to mature adipocytes. Expressions of marker genes of preadipocytes, brown adipocytes, and brite cells were significantly lower in Sirt1-/- mESCs than in Sirt1+/+ mESCs. Furthermore, SIRT1 knockout reduced RA-induced RA receptor (RAR)α and RARß mRNA and protein expressions during early adipocyte differentiation. Nuclear receptor corepressor 1 (NCOR1), a negative regulator of RAR signaling, expression, and acetylation levels were higher in Sirt1-/- than in Sirt1+/+ mESCs. After RA treatment, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays using an antibody against NCOR1, revealed that NCOR1 binding to RARß promoters was significantly lower in Sirt1-/- mESCs than in Sirt1+/+ mESCs, and luciferase reporter assays showed SIRT1 knockdown decreased RA-induced RARα activity. Taken together, these observations show SIRT1 is required during the early phase of mESC adipogenesis and that SIRT1 deficiency inhibits adipogenesis by increasing NCOR1 acetylation and down-regulating the expressions of RARα and RARß.

Glucocorticoid Suppresses Connexin 43 Expression by Inhibiting the Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway in Osteoblasts.

The inhibition of proliferation or functional alteration of osteoblasts by glucocorticoids (GCs) has been recognized as an important etiology of GC-induced osteoporosis (GIO). Connexin 43 (Cx43) is the most abundant connexin isoform in bone cells and plays important roles in bone remodeling. Despite the important role of Cx43 in bone homeostasis and the prevalence of GIO, the direct action of GCs on Cx43 expression in osteoblasts has been poorly described. The aim of the present study was to evaluate how GCs affect Cx43 expression in osteoblasts. Dexamethasone (Dex) treatment decreased expression of Cx43 RNA and protein in MC3T3-E1 mouse osteoblastic cells. Reduction of Cx43 expression by Dex was dependent on the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), as it was abolished by pretreatment with a GR blocker. Treatment with PTH (1-34), a medication used for GIO management, counteracted the suppression of Cx43 by Dex. Akt or mTOR signaling modulators revealed the involvement of the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in Dex-induced reduction of Cx43 expression. Moreover, overexpression of Cx43 significantly attenuated Dex-inhibited cell viability and proliferation, as evidenced by MTT and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay of MC3T3-E1 cells. To account for possible species or cell type differences, human primary osteoblasts were treated with Dex and similar downregulation of Cx43 by Dex was observed. In addition, immunofluorescent staining for Cx43 further demonstrated an apparent decrease in Dex-treated human osteoblasts, while analysis of lucifer yellow propagation revealed reduced gap junction intercellular communication by Dex. Collectively, these findings indicate that GCs suppress Cx43 expression in osteoblasts via GR and the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and overexpression of Cx43 may, at least in part, rescue osteoblasts from GC-induced reductions in proliferation.