The role and possible mechanism of lncRNA U90926 in modulating 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a risk factor for metabolic diseases, while preadipocyte differentiation or adipogenesis is closely related to obesity occurrence. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a unique class of transcripts in regulation of a variety of biological processes. Using cDNA microarray, we found lncRNA U90926 is negatively correlated with 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the role of lncRNA U90926 (lnc-U90926) in adipogenesis and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was performed to determine lnc-U90926 expression in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, differentiated adipocytes, and in adipose tissues form mice. RNA fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed to determine the localization of lnc-U90926 in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The effects of lnc-U90926 on 3T3-L1 adipogenesis were analyzed with lentivirus-mediated gain- and loss-of-function experiments. Lipid accumulation was evaluated by oil red O staining; several adipogenesis makers were analyzed by qPCR and western blotting. Dual luciferase assay was applied to explore the transactivation of target genes modulated by lnc-U90926. All measurements were performed at least for three times. RESULTS: Lnc-U90926 expression decreased along the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. In mice, lnc-U90926 is predominantly expressed in adipose tissue. Obese mice have lower lnc-U90926 expression in subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue than non-obese mice. FISH results showed that lnc-U90926 was mainly located in the cytoplasm. Overexpression lnc-U90926 attenuated 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation as evidenced by its ability to inhibit lipid accumulation, to decrease the mRNA levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 2 (PPARγ2), fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) and adiponectin (AdipoQ) as well as to reduce the protein levels of PPARγ and FABP4 (P<0.05). Knockdown of lnc-U90926 showed opposite effects, which increased mRNA expression of PPARγ2, FABP4, CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteinα (C/EBPα) and AdipoQ. CONCLUSION: Lnc-U90926 attenuates 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation via inhibiting the transactivation of PPARγ2 or PPARγ.