Differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells and of human adult stem cells into adipocytes.

The authors describe protocols for culture conditions in which mouse ES cells can be maintained in an undifferentiated state or committed to undergo adipocyte differentiation at a high rate and in a highly reproducible fashion. There is also a protocol for maintaining and differentiating human adult stem cells, isolated form adipose tissue and from bone marrow, into adipocytes. These culture systems provide a powerful means for studying the first step of adipose cell development and a means to investigate effects of drugs on the biology of adipocytes. There are also protocols for detection of adipocytes and analysis of their gene expression.