Extended Data Fig. 1: Loss of Bcat2 in adipocytes protects mice against obesity.

(a) Bcat1 is not expressed in iWAT, gWAT and BAT. Bcat2 protein levels as indicated were quantified and normalized against Tubulin. Representative result from 2 independent biological experiments. (b and c) Bcat2 expression in indicated organs from adipose tissue specific Bcat2^KO mice. Bcat2 protein levels as indicated were quantified and normalized against Tubulin. n=1. (d) Plasma BCAA levels in Bcat2^WT and Bcat2^KO mice. n=5–6 mice. (e) Body weight of Bcat2^WT and Bcat2^KO mice fed with normal chow diet. n=5–6 mice. (f) Food intake is similar in Bcat2^WT and Bcat2^KO mice fed with normal chow food. Representative mean value from 5 mice in a cage. (g) Bcat2 KO prevents HFD-induced weight gain. Body weight was measured after 13-week HFD feeding. n=6 mice. (h) Computed tomography imaging showed Bcat2 KO prevents HFD-induced fat tissue weight gain. n=3 mice. (i) High fat Food intake is similar in Bcat2^WT and Bcat2^KO mice. (j) GTT and ITT experiment in Bcat2^WT and Bcat2^KO mice. n=6 mice. (k) Bcat2 KO has no effect on other main organ weights. Weights of indicated organs derived from Bcat2^WT and Bcat2^KO mice fed with HFD were measured. n=6 mice. (l) Bcat2 KO prevents HFD-induced fatty liver. Representative result from 4 mice. (m) Bcat2 KO decreases adipocyte size. Adipocyte sizes of iWAT from Bcat2^WT and Bcat2^KO mice fed with HFD were calculated from the H&E staining results. n=6 per group. (n) No morphological change is observed in muscle from Bcat2^KO mouse via HE staining analysis. Representative H&E staining of muscle derived from Bcat2^WT and Bcat2^KO mice fed with HFD. Representative result from 4 mice. Bars and error bars represent mean values and SDs, with biologically individual data points shown. n, cohort size. P values are derived from unpaired, two-tailed t-test.

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