Role of 14-3-3ζ in the adipogenesis program and the differentiation of healthy adipose tissue

Obesity is an independent risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Before effective anti-obesity therapies can be developed, understanding of what governs the production of healthy versus unhealthy fat tissue is required, as not all types confer equal risk. Adipogenesis requires the precise transduction of signals and coordination of transcription factor cascades. Molecular adaptor proteins of the 14-3-3 family are known to coordinate signaling events from multiple cues, but whether specific isoforms have unique, non-redundant roles in adipogenesis remains unclear. RNAi screening revealed 14-3-3ζ as the critical isoform for in vitro adipocyte differentiation. This study aims to understand the role of 14-3-3ζ in adipogenesis program and the differentiation in health adipose tissue.