Early B-cell factor (O/E-1) is a promoter of adipogenesis and involved in control of genes important for terminal adipocyte differentiation

Olf-1/early B-cell factor (O/E-1) is a transcription factor important for B-lymphocyte and neuronal gene regulation. Here we report that all three known O/E genes (O/E-1, -2, and -3) are expressed in mouse adipose tissue and are upregulated during adipocyte differentiation. Forced expression of O/E-1 in either the preadipocyte cell line 3T3-L1 or mouse embryonic fibroblasts augmented adipogenesis, and constitutive expression of O/E-1 in uncommitted NIH 3T3 fibroblasts led to initiation of adipocyte differentiation. Furthermore, a dominant negative form of O/E-1 partially suppressed 3T3-L1 adipogenesis, indicating that expression from endogenous O/E target genes is required for 3T3-L1 terminal differentiation. Thus, our data point to the importance of O/E target genes for adipocyte differentiation and suggest a novel role for O/E-1 as an initiator and stimulator of adipogenesis.