Kathy JAWORSKI whish has a 5 years post-graduate research experience in Metabolic Diseases acquired at the Department of Nutritional Science and Toxicology of the University of California, is co-author of an article, published in Nature Medicine (11 Jan 2009) and entitled: "AdPLA ablation increases lipolysis and prevents obesity iduced by high-fat or leptin deficiency".

A main function of white adipose tissue is released fatty acids from stored triacylglycerol for other tissues to use as an energy source. Whereas endocrine regulation of lipolysis has been extensively studied, autocrine and paracrine regulation is not well understood. Here we describe the role of the newly identified major adipocyte phospholipase A(2), AdPLA (encoded by Pla2g16, also called HREV107), in the regulation of lipolysis and adiposity. AdPLA-null mice have a markedly higher rate of lipolysis owing to increased cyclic AMP levels arising from the marked reduction in the amount of adipose prostaglandin E(2) that binds the Galpha(i)-coupled receptor, EP3. AdPLA-null mice have markedly reduced adipose tissue mass and triglyceride content but normal adipogenesis. They also have higher energy expenditure with increased fatty acid oxidation within adipocytes. AdPLA-deficient ob/ob mice remain hyperphagic but lean, with increased energy expenditure, yet have ectopic triglyceride storage and insulin resistance. AdPLA is a major regulator of adipocyte lipolysis and is crucial for the development of obesity.

Kathy Jaworski has been engaged at IMI in September 2009 in the team of Veronique Flamand.

Read more: