The role of adipocyte-derived chemerin in adipogenesis and adipocyte metabolism

Obesity is a condition of energy imbalance characterized by excess accumulation adipose (fat) tissue. The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide and is a major contributor to chronic health problems including insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. The mechanisms that link excess adipose tissue and type II diabetes have not been worked out but are thought to involve protein factors (adipokines) secreted from adipose tissue. During my postdoctoral studies I discovered that adipose tissue is a both a source and target for a novel adipokine chemerin. We hypothesize that chemerin will have an important regulatory role in adipose metabolism and pathophysiological processes such as insulin resistance and type II diabetes. We will undertake experiments to fully characterize the actions of chemerin in adipose tissue with an emphasis on gene expression, receptor binding and metabolic pathways that are relevant to formation of new adipocytes, energy storage and energy mobilization. The long-term goal of the project is to generate increased knowledge of the causes and consequences of obesity. With this information in hand, it may be possible for the scientific community to develop new strategies for prevention or treatment of obesity and type II diabetes.