The Effect of Sex and Obesity on the Gene Expression of Lipid Flippases in Adipose Tissue

Molecular mechanisms behind obesity and sex-related effects in adipose tissue remain elusive. During adipocyte expansion, adipocytes undergo drastic remodelling of lipid membrane compositions. Lipid flippases catalyse phospholipid translocation from exoplasmic to the cytoplasmic leaflet of membranes. The present study aimed to analyse the effect of sex, obesity, and their interactions on the gene expression of two lipid flippases—ATP8A1 and ATP8B1—and their possible microRNA (miR) modulators in visceral adipose tissue (VAT). In total, 12 normal-weight subjects (5 premenopausal women and 7 men) and 13 morbidly obese patients (7 premenopausal women and 6 men) were submitted to surgery, and VAT samples were obtained. Gene expression levels of ATP8A1, ATP8B1, miR-548b-5p, and miR-4643 were measured in VAT. Our results showed a marked influence of obesity on VAT ATP8A1 and ATP8B1, although the effects of obesity were stronger in men for ATP8A1. Both genes positively correlated with obesity and metabolic markers. Furthermore, ATP8B1 was positively associated with miR-548b-5p and negatively associated with miR-4643. Both miRs were also affected by sex. Thus, lipid flippases are altered by obesity in VAT in a sex-specific manner. Our study provides a better understanding of the sex-specific molecular mechanisms underlying obesity, which may contribute to the development of sex-based precision medicine.