Obesity is characterized by both an increase in adipocyte cell size and number.
Adipocyte development is a highly regulated process involving the activation of signaling pathways controlling cellular proliferation and differentiation. Our research has shown that inhibition of the protease calpain blocks not only cell cycle progression but also inhibits the priming of the differentiation pathway during adipogenesis. Since calpains are a large family of structurally similar proteases, we are currently characterizing the localization and calcium regulation of the specific calpain isoform involved in adipocyte differentiation. Role of cellular proliferation in adipocyte differentiation Cellular proliferation is a requirement for subsequent adipocyte differentiation. We are investigating the role cellular proliferation plays in adipocyte differentiation.