Cold induces a ß-adrenergic–independent thermogenic gene program in subcutaneous adipose tissue.

Classic brown fat and inducible beige fat both dissipate chemical energy in the form of heat through the actions of mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1. This nonshivering thermogenesis is crucial for mammals as a defense against cold and obesity/diabetes. Cold is known to act indirectly through the sympathetic nervous systems and ß-adrenergic signaling, but here we report that cold temperature can directly activate a thermogenic gene program in adipocytes independent of ß-adrenergic signaling.