Table 2 List of adipocyte and adipose tissue lineage markers analysed in SGBS adipocytes compared to PHWSC adipocytes.

From: SGBS cells as a model of human adipocyte browning: A comprehensive comparative study with primary human white subcutaneous adipocytes

Gene Name

Lineage

Fold Change (SGBS vs PHWSC)

FDR

Function of gene/encoded protein

Reference

EDNRB

BAT

−5.14

0.005

UCP1 regulator.

Xue and Tseng et al. 2015

EBF2

BAT

−4.68

0.000

Recruits PPARϒ to brown fat-selective gene targets, including PRDM16.

Rajakumari, Wu et al. 2013

PDK4

BAT

4.57

0.030

Stimulated by PPARα and PPARδ. Inhibits PDH/TCA cycle, decreasing glucose utilization and promoting fat metabolism.

Mottillo et al. 2012

PREX1

BAT

5.74

0.000

UCP1 regulator.

Xue and Tseng et al. 2015

MYF5

BAT

NA

NA

Myogenic regulatory factor expressed in skeletal muscle and brown adipocyte precursors.

Seale, Bjork et al. 2008

ZIC1

BAT

NA

NA

Expressed in anterior somites in embryonic development and in anterior adipose tissues.

De Jong and Larsson et al. 2015

BMP7

BAT

NA

NA

Promotes browning; induces PRDM16, PGC1α, UCP-1, PPARϒ, C/EBPs.

Tseng et al., 2008

MTUS1

BAT and beige

−61.91

0.000

A mitochondria-localized protein. Required for beige adipocyte differentiation and thermogenic function.

Shinoda, Luijten et al. 2015

PGC1α

BAT and beige

−20.66

0.000

Promotes browning. Stimulates expression of FNDC5/Irisin.

Bostrom, Wu et al. 2012

HSPB7

BAT and beige

−5.22

0.002

Marker gene. Function in adipose tissue is unclear.

Wu, Bostrom et al. 2012

EBF3

BAT and beige

−2.18

0.015

Transcription factor.

De Jong and Larsson et al. 2015

PRDM16

BAT and beige

−1.74

0.449

Encodes a Zinc-finger protein. Induces browning via PGC1α, UCP-1 and other key regulatory genes.

Seale et al. 2007

KCNK3

BAT and beige

−1.40

0.819

A potassium channel. Required for beige adipocyte differentiation and thermogenic function.

Shinoda, Luijten et al. 2015

SIRT1

BAT and beige

1.90

0.024

Deacetylates PPARϒ to facilitate docking of PRDM16. Promotes browning.

Qiang, Wang et al. 2012

UCP1

BAT and beige

8.84

0.037

Uncouples respiration to dissipate chemical energy as heat.

Wu, Bostrom et al. 2012

PLIN5

BAT and beige

9.50

0.010

Expressed in highly oxidative tissues like heart and BAT. Possible regulation of ATGL-mediated lipolysis. Suggested protective role against excessive production of reactive oxygen species by controlling FA mitochondrial oxidation and their incorporation to LDs.

Barneda, Frontini et al. 2013

LHX8

BAT and beige

NA

NA

Transcription factor.

De Jong and Larsson et al. 2015

FGF21

BAT and beige

NA

NA

Stimulates glucose uptake in differentiated adipocytes via induction of GLUT1 expression.

De Jong and Larsson et al. 2015

CIDEA

BAT and beige

NA

NA

Promotes LD enlargement by LD–LD lipid transference. Cide (A, B or C) deficient mice are resistant to obesity.

Barneda, Frontini et al. 2013

PAT2

BAT and beige

NA

NA

An amino acid transmembrane transporter.

Ussar, Lee et al. 2014

P2RX5

BAT and beige

NA

NA

A purinergic receptor and ligand-gated ion channel.

Ussar, Lee et al. 2014

B3AR/ADRB3R

BAT and beige

NA

NA

Receptor which mediates catecholamine-induced browning.

Lidell et al. 2013

CD40

Beige

−6.62

0.002

Important in immune and inflammatory response pathways. Member of TNF-receptor superfamily.

Wu, Bostrom et al. 2012

EPSTI1

Beige

−4.18

0.011

Marker gene. Function in adipose tissue is unclear.

De Jong and Larsson et al. 2015

SP100

Beige

−2.44

0.007

Binds heterochromatin proteins; involved in gene regulation.

Wu, Bostrom et al. 2012

EAR2/NR2F6

Beige

1.85

0.000

Transcription factor.

Wu, Bostrom et al. 2012

SHOX2

Beige

2.03

0.063

Member of homeobox family.

Lidell 2013

SLC27A1

Beige

4.48

0.000

Component of lipid metabolism pathways.

Wu, Bostrom et al. 2012

TBX1

Beige

NA

NA

A developmental transcription factor

De Jong and Larsson et al. 2015

TNFRSF9/CD137

Beige

NA

NA

Member of TNF-receptor superfamily.

De Jong and Larsson et al. 2015

TMEM26

Beige

NA

NA

Marker gene. Function in adipose tissue is unclear.

De Jong and Larsson et al. 2015

PDGFRα

WAT and Beige

−8.03

0.000

A growth factor receptor expressed by bipotent preadipocytes.

Yun-Hee Lee 2012

HOXC9

WAT and Beige

−1.68

0.205

Developmental transcription factor with posteriorly restricted expression.

De Jong and Larsson et al. 2015

HOXC8

WAT and Beige

−1.27

0.599

Developmental transcription factor with posteriorly restricted expression. A negative regulator of the adipocyte browning process.

De Jong and Larsson et al. 2015

RBL1

WAT

−2.29

0.050

Represses PGC1α transcription, preventing browning.

Scime, Grenier et al. 2005

Leptin

WAT

−0.71

0.530

A secreted protein involved with regulation of body weight.

Ussar, Lee et al. 2014

NRIP1/RIP140

WAT

1.09

0.827

Binds and inhibits PGC1α.

Hallberg, Morganstein et al. 2008

RB1

WAT

1.34

0.380

Represses PGC1α transcription, preventing browning.

Hansen, Jorgensen et al. 2004

TCF21

WAT

2.94

0.026

Developmental transcription factor with posteriorly restricted expression.

De Jong and Larsson et al. 2015

LPL

WAT

13.47

0.001

Involved in the metabolism of fat.

Dani, Amri et al. 1990

NR1H3/LXRA

WAT

16.32

0.000

Blocks UCP1 expression by recruiting Rip140 and displacing PGC1α at an LXR binding site.

Wang, Zhang et al. 2008

ASC-1/slc7a10

WAT

17.47

0.000

A cell surface amino acid transporter.

Ussar, Lee et al. 2014

ADIPONECTIN

Ubiquitous in AT

12.44

0.003

Hormone that regulates lipid and glucose metabolism and modulates insulin sensitivity.

Zhang, Matheny et al. 2002

CITED1

Ubiquitous in AT

48.18

0.000

Involved with CBP/SMAD signaling.

De Jong and Larsson et al. 2015

  1. Genes were pooled from published literature and their expression was analysed in the RNA sequencing data.