Differential expression of the nonmuscle-type cofilin gene between subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue

Visceral adipocytes differ in various biochemical properties from adipocytes of subcutaneous origin. However, information on differences in gene expression between visceral and subcutaneous fat depots is limited. Expression of the genes for the nonmuscle and muscle isoforms of the actin-binding protein cofilin was examined in subcutaneous and visceral fat depots of mice, pigs, and cattle by semiquantative reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction analysis. The abundance of nonmuscle-type cofilin mRNA was markedly higher in visceral adipose tissue than in subcutaneous adipose tissue of mouse and pig. This difference was more pronounced in mice fed a high-fat diet than in those fed a standard diet. In cattle, however, the amount of non-muscle-type cofilin mRNA was greater in subcutaneous fat than in visceral fat. Muscle-type cofilin mRNA was not detected in either adipose tissue of any of the three species. These results suggest that the nonmuscle isoform of cofilin, and therefore the cytoskeleton, may play a role in lipid accumulation in visceral adipose tissue.