Back
Science

KAIST Researchers Uncover Epigenetic "Switch" Preventing Fat Formation

Generated on: Last updated: 1 sources
View source

KAIST Researchers Discover Epigenetic Switch Halting Fat Formation

Scientists at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have identified a mechanism that prevents fat formation, offering new insights into the regulation of obesity and metabolic diseases.

A research team, led by Professor Dae-Sik Lim and Professor Ju-Gyeong Kang, discovered that 'YAP/TAZ,' key regulators of the Hippo signaling pathway, function as an 'epigenetic differentiation inhibition switch' during the process of adipocyte differentiation.

Key Research Findings

  • The study determined that when YAP/TAZ are activated, the genetic program responsible for establishing adipocyte identity fails to operate. This suppresses the overall adipocyte differentiation network, which centers around PPARγ.
  • Single-cell analysis of adipose tissue revealed VGLL3 as a novel target gene of YAP/TAZ. While YAP/TAZ was known to directly inhibit PPARγ, this research found that VGLL3 indirectly controls the entire adipocyte differentiation program by suppressing 'enhancers,' which are DNA regulatory regions of adipocyte genes.
  • This mechanism indicates that the Hippo signaling pathway plays a crucial role in regulating the core timing and strength of fat cell creation.

Potential Implications

Dysfunction of adipose tissue is associated with various metabolic diseases, including obesity, insulin resistance, and fatty liver. Researchers anticipate that further studies on the YAP/TAZ–VGLL3–PPARγ axis regulatory principle could provide new directions for managing or treating metabolic diseases.

Professor Dae-Sik Lim commented that the study is the first to establish precise epigenetic control of adipocyte differentiation, moving beyond simple gene regulation. This contributes to a more sophisticated understanding of adipocyte identity changes and supports the long-term development of personalized treatment strategies for metabolic disease patients.

This research, with Ph.D. student TaeJun Seol and Dr. Ju-Gyeong Kang as co-first authors, was published in the international academic journal Science Advances.