Yunbo Ke
University of Illinois at Chicago, USA
Title: Gender specific regulation of adiposity by p21 activated kinase-1
Biography
Biography: Yunbo Ke
Abstract
Abnormal accumulation of visceral fats is a major cause of obesity that prompts diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Gender specific advancement of obesity has been observed for a long time, but the molecular mechanism remains unclear. Our studies indicate that the abundance and activity of p21 activated kinase-1 (Pak1) is a significant element in gender specific regulation of fat accumulation. In mice with Pak1 deficiency (Pak1-/-), there was a significant increase in expansion of adipose tissues in females. The enhanced adipose tissue growth in the Pak1-/- mice occurred especially in the visceral fat pads with adipocyte hypertrophy and higher body weight under standard chow diet compared to WT control mice. These changes were either much less or absent in males. Even though the Pak1-/- females had a higher body weight and much more fat accumulation, their food intake was significantly lower than the WT littermates. Pak1 deficiency is associated with impaired glucose homeostasis, which occurred in both male and females. In adipose tissues of Pak1-/- females, expression of PGC1-alpha and Cox8b were down regulated and phosphorylation of Akt was increased suggesting Pak1 involvement in regulation of energy metabolism and adipocyte physiology.