Expression of activin receptor-like kinase 7 in adipose tissues.

The tissue distribution of activin receptor-like kinase 7 (Alk7) expression, the signaling ability of Alk7 variants, and Alk7 expression in response to β3-adrenergic receptor activation were examined. Expression levels of Alk7 varied greatly among tissues but were highest in white adipose tissue and brown adipose tissue. In addition to full-length Alk7 (Alk7-v1), Alk7-v3, an Alk7 variant, was expressed in adipose tissues, brain, and ovary. Nodal transmits signals via Alk7 in cooperation with its coreceptor, Cripto. Evaluation of the ability of Alk7 variants to confer Nodal signaling using luciferase-based reporter assays showed that Alk7-v3 does not transmit Nodal-Cripto-mediated signals. Expression of Alk7 was down-regulated in brown but not in white adipose tissue treated with CL316,243, a β3-adrenergic receptor agonist. These results suggest involvement of Alk7 in modulation of metabolism in the adipose tissues in response to β3-adrenergic receptor activation.