Expression of p68 RNA helicase is closely related to the early stage of adipocyte differentiation of mouse 3T3-L1 cells

We have previously identified the genes expressed early in the differentiat ion of mouse 3T3-L1 cells into adipocytes. Since these genes were isolated as small fragments, many were unknown. In this study, we have cloned two fu ll-length cDNAs and identified them as p68 RNA helicase and mc3s5/mtCLIC. T he expression of these genes was rapidly induced, and specific to the adipo cyte differentiation. When the expression of p68 RNA helicase was inhibited using an inducible antisense system, the differentiation into adipocytes w as partially blocked, and the expression levels of some marker genes decrea sed. These findings strongly indicate that the expression of the above two genes was closely related to the adipocyte differentiation, and p68 RNA hel icase in particular is crucial to the differentiation. (C) 2001 Academic Pr ess.