Unlocking the thermogenic program in mature white adipocytes through transdifferentiation.

• Grant number: 23/05370-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: June 01, 2023
• End date: February 28, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Metabolism and Bioenergetics
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Henrique Grossi Sponton
• Grantee: Flávia Caroline Gan
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 19/15025-5 - Unveiling the PRDM16 transcriptional complex related to the inhibition of ceramides synthesis genes in adipocytes, AP.JP

Abstract

Thermogenic adipocytes (brown and beige) are known for their ability to dissipate energy in the form of heat, a process known as thermogenesis. Furthermore, current studies show that these adipocytes can counteract the deleterious metabolic effects induced by obesity, such as inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, hypoxia, fibrosis, and de novo synthesis of ceramides through processes that are dependent and independent of thermogenesis. Although the transcription factors (TF's) involved in the differentiation of beige adipocytes from progenitors (de novo adipogenesis) are well established, the transcriptional mediators responsible for the transdifferentiation process (white-to-beige adipocyte conversion) are still not understood. Thus, the objective of this study will be to evaluate the mechanisms of transdifferentiation through screening of TF's. The results of this study may reveal a new mechanism of beige adipocyte activation and potential gene therapy aimed at mitigating the development of obesity and its related diseases.