SFPQ associated with a co-activator for PPARγ, HELZ2, regulates key nuclear factors for adipocyte differentiation

We recently isolated a novel co-activator of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, helicase with zinc finger 2 (HELZ2). HELZ2 null mice were resistant to diet-induced obesity and NAFFL/NASH, was phosphorylated at tyrosine residues. In order find factor related HELZ2, we analyzed products co-immunoprecipitated by mass spectrometry analyses. identified proline- glutamine-rich (SFPQ) as protein associating tyrosine-phosphorylated HELZ2. The knockdown SFPQ in 3T3-L1 cells downregulated mRNA levels transcription factors including Krox20, Cebpβ, Cebpδ: key for early-stage adipocyte differentiation. addition, inhibited cell differentiation mature adipocytes. These findings demonstrated that is an important transcriptional regulator