日本分子生物学会

February 2021
ベージュ脂肪細胞と化した雪の大玉
As with brown adipocytes, beige adipocytes are rich in mitochondria expressing Uncoupling Protein 1 (UCP1) and produce heat. However, their origin is white adipocytes, and their differentiation is induced by exposure to cold environments or stimulation with certain antidiabetic drugs. Now, in the cold snow scene where the induction of beige adipocytes is likely to progress, the snowball made by the children seems to have been changing into a beige adipocyte-like ball perhaps due to some stimulus.
ベージュ脂肪細胞は褐色脂肪細胞と同様に脱共役タンパク質UCP1（Uncoupling protein 1）を発現したミトコンドリアに富み、熱産生を行う。しかしその由来は白色脂肪細胞であり、寒冷環境への曝露やある種の糖尿病治療薬により分化が誘導される。今、ベージュ脂肪細胞の誘導が進みそうな寒い雪景色の中、子ども達が作った雪玉に、何か刺激が加わったのか、ベージュ脂肪細胞様に変化してきたようだ。