Volume: 4, 2025
4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: A005
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.A005
Published online: 9 April 2025
ICDSUPL, 4, A005 (2025)
Phoenixin – a novel modulator of the proliferation of rat brown preadipocytes
Joanna Fiedorowicz1*, Małgorzata Krążek1, Joanna Grześkowiak1, Tatiana Wojciechowicz1, Marek Skrzypski1
1 Department of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Biostructure, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wołyńska 35, 60-637 Poznań, Poland
* Corresponding author: joanna.fiedorowicz@up.poznan.pl
Abstract
Phoenixin is a neuropeptide cleaved from small integral membrane protein 20. Previous studies have found that phoenixin modulates reproduction and energy homeostasis. Recent findings indicate that phoenixin is synthesized and released by mature white adipocytes. Moreover, studies have revealed that this neuropeptide promotes the proliferation and differentiation of white preadipocytes. Although phoenixin has been shown to play a role in the regulation of the biology of white preadipocytes, its role in controlling brown adipogenesis is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of G protein-coupled receptor 173 (GPR173), the putative receptor for phoenixin, during the differentiation of rat brown preadipocytes into mature adipocytes. Additionally, we investigated the impact of phoenixin on the proliferation of brown preadipocytes. Furthermore, we assessed the mechanism by which phoenixin influences the proliferation of brown preadipocytes. Brown preadipocytes were isolated from the intracapsular brown adipose tissue of male Wistar rats weighing 100–120 g. Gene expression was analyzed using real-time PCR. Protein production was examined using Western blot. Preadipocyte proliferation was measured using a BrdU incorporation assay. Intracellular cAMP levels were measured using an ELISA kit. The differentiation of brown preadipocytes was accompanied by an increase in mRNA expression of the phoenixin potential receptor, Gpr173. Additionally, it was found that phoenixin enhanced the proliferation of rat primary brown preadipocytes after 24 and 48 hours of incubation. Furthermore, phoenixin increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation and intracellular cAMP level. Phoenixin failed to stimulate the proliferation of brown preadipocyte in the presence of ERK1/2 and exchange protein directly activated by cAMP inhibitors (U0126 and ESI-09). These results indicate that phoenixin stimulates brown preadipocyte proliferation through a cAMP and ERK1/2- dependent signaling pathway. Overall, these findings suggest that phoenixin may play a role in regulating energy homeostasis by affecting the development of brown adipose tissue.
This study was financed by the National Science Centre, Poland (NCN), under project no. 2022/45/B/NZ5/03453.
Keywords: phoenixin, brown adipocytes, proliferation, adipogenesis
How to cite
J. Fiedorowicz, M. Krążek, J. Grześkowiak, T. Wojciechowicz, M. Skrzypski, 2025. Phoenixin – a novel modulator of the proliferation of rat brown preadipocytes. In: 4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.A005