J. Biol. Chem., Vol. 258, Issue 6, 3559-3564, 03, 1983
Increased synthesis and accumulation of phospholipids during differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells into adipocytes
R Kasturi and SJ Wakil
Conversion of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes to fully developed adipocytes in culture
under the influence of dexamethasone, 1-methyl-3-isobutyl xanthine, and
insulin offers a unique system to investigate differentiation-related
changes in lipid metabolism. Depending on the type of isotopic precursors
([3H2]O, 32Pi, and [1-14C]acetate) used, a 10-170-fold increase in the rate
of incorporation into lipid was observed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes which
contained 5-10-fold higher amounts of cellular protein/culture than
preadipocytes. In preadipocytes and adipocytes, the major lipids
synthesized were phospholipids, triglycerides, and fatty acids. The rate of
32Pi incorporation into total lipids was 21-fold higher in adipocytes than
that in preadipocytes, and 90% of the total radioactivity in both
preadipocytes and adipocytes was contributed by phosphatidylcholine (PC),
phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidylinositol (PI). The content
of phospholipids was 7-8-fold higher/culture in adipocytes than that in
preadipocytes, and 65 and 80% of the total phospholipids of preadipocytes
and adipocytes, respectively, were composed of PC and PE. Based on DNA
measurements, there was a 3-fold increase in phospholipids and an
approximately 3-fold increase in protein/cell. During 3T3-L1 adipose
conversion, a detectable increase in cellular protein, triglycerides, and
phospholipids was observed on day 3 after induction and, thereafter, these
constituents increased continuously up to day 11. Among the different
phospholipids of both preadipocytes and differentiating 3T3-L1 cells, PC,
PE, and PI exhibited significant changes in their rate of 32Pi
incorporation during adipogenesis. While there was a continuous increase in
the incorporation of 32Pi into PI, there was preferential incorporation of
32Pi into PC and PE, the significance of which is not clear. The increase
in phospholipids and protein content during adipogenesis suggests that
phospholipids are required for membrane biosynthesis.