C EBP-ALPHA - A CRITICAL REGULATOR OF GENES GOVERNING INTEGRATIVE METABOLIC PROCESSES/

The role of C/EBP alpha in the developmental expression of a subset of genes governing essential metabolic processes has recently been eluci dated using a mutant mouse model that lacks this transcription factor. The mutation results in a failure of the liver and white and brown ad ipose tissue to develop normal metabolic functions in the immediate pe rinatal period, including hepatic glycogen synthesis and gluconeogenes is and the synthesis and deposition of triglyceride in adipose tissue. These metabolic alterations are very similar to those of human infant s born prior to the third trimester and suggest that many of the medic al complications of prematurity are a result of the tack of activation of C/EBP alpha in development.