Acylation stimulating protein induces preadipocyte differentiation

AIM: To study the role of acylation stimulating protein (ASP) in the differentiation of 3T3-F442A preadipocytes. METHODS: Differentiation of 3T3-F442A preadipocytes was induced by ASP. The morphological changes were observed by Oil-Red O staining and the differentiation rate was compared. TG synthesis and TG mass in these cells were also assayed. DNA synthesis was measured by ［3H］-TdR incorporation. A typical differentiation inducer, insulin, was used as a positive control to compare these results. RESULTS: (1) 3T3-F442A preadipocytes were induced to differentiate by ASP alone. Fat droplets were clearly visible in the cytoplasm of 3T3-F442A cells. The differentiation rate was high (90%), but no significant difference was observed, compared with that in insulin group (95%). (2) In ASP group, TG synthesis and TG mass were significantly increased, both of them were higher than that in control group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference, compared with insulin group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: As a new adipocytes hormone, ASP plays an important biological role in the differentiation of preadipocytes.