Description
PPARg and C/EBPa cooperate to control preadipocyte differentiation (adipogenesis). However, the factors that regulate PPARg and C/EBPa expression during adipogenesis remain largely unclear. Here we show PTIP, a protein that associates with histone H3K4 methyltransferases, regulates PPARg and C/EBPa expression in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and during preadipocyte differentiation. PTIP deletion in MEFs leads to marked decreases of PPARg expression and PPARg-stimulated C/EBP expression. Further, PTIP is essential for induction of PPARg and C/EBPa expression during preadipocyte differentiation. Deletion of PTIP impairs the enrichment of H3K4 trimethylation and RNA polymerase II on PPARg and C/EBPa promoters. Accordingly, PTIP-/- MEFs and preadipocytes all show striking defects in adipogenesis. Furthermore, rescue of the adipogenesis defect in PTIP-/- MEFs requires co-expression of PPARg and C/EBPa. Finally, deletion of PTIP in brown adipose tissue significantly reduces tissue weight in mice. Thus, by regulating PPARg and C/EBPa expression, PTIP plays a critical role in adipogenesis.