GSBS Dissertations and Theses
Approval Date
10-28-2015
Document Type
Doctoral Dissertation
Academic Program
Cell Biology
Department
Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology
First Thesis Advisor
Anthony N. Imbalzano, PhD
Keywords
Adipocytes, Cell Differentiation, Gene Expression Regulation, Protein-Arginine N-Methyltransferases, Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases
Subjects
Dissertations, UMMS; Adipocytes; Cell Differentiation; Gene Expression Regulation; Protein-Arginine N-Methyltransferases; Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases
Abstract
Regulation of gene expression comprises a wide range of mechanisms that control the abundance of gene products in response to environmental and developmental changes. These biological processes can be modulated by posttranslational modifications including arginine methylation. Among the enzymes that catalyze the methylation, protein arginine methyltransferase 7 (PRMT7) is known to modify histones to repress gene expression. Jumonji domain-containing protein 6 (JMJD6) is a putative arginine demethylase that potentially antagonize PRMT7. However, the biological significance of these enzymes is not well understood. This thesis summarizes the investigation of both PRMT7 and JMJD6 in cell culture models for adipocyte differentiation. The results suggest that PRMT7 is not required for the differentiation, whereas JMJD6 is necessary for the differentiation by promoting the expression of the lineage determining transcription factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancerbinding proteins (C/EBPs). The underlying mechanisms by which JMJD6 regulate differentiation involve transcriptional and post-transcriptional control of gene expression. Unexpectedly, the adipogenic function of JMJD6 is independent of its enzymatic activity. Collectively, the present research reveals a novel role of JMJD6 in gene regulation during the differentiation of adipocytes.
Repository Citation
Hu, Y. Roles of Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 7 and Jumonji Domain-Containing Protein 6 in Adipocyte Differentiation: A Dissertation. (2015). University of Massachusetts Medical School. GSBS Dissertations and Theses. Paper 797. DOI: 10.13028/M2R300. https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/gsbs_diss/797
DOI
10.13028/M2R300
DOI Link
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