Reduced PDE4 expression and activity contributes to enhanced catecholamine‐induced cAMP accumulation in adipocytes from FOXC2 transgenic mice

Abstract

Overexpression of forkhead transcription factor FOXC2 in white adipose tissue (WAT) leads to a lean phenotype resistant to diet‐induced obesity. This is due, in part, to enhanced catecholamine‐induced cAMP‐PKA signaling in FOXC2 transgenic mice. Here we show that rolipram treatment of adipocytes from FOXC2 transgenic mice did not increase isoproterenol‐induced cAMP accumulation to the same extent as in wild type cells. Accordingly, phosphodiesterase‐4 (PDE4) activity was reduced by 75% and PDE4A5 protein expression reduced by 30–50% in FOXC2 transgenic WAT compared to wild type. Thus, reduced PDE4 activity in adipocytes from FOXC2 transgenic mice contributes to amplified β‐AR induced cAMP responses observed in these cells.