CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta is not affected by tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) inhibition of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation.

The differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes is induced by the coordinate activation of trans-acting factors in response to inducers. Depending on the time of treatment, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) was effective in inhibiting 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation and the expression of differentiation-dependent trans-acting factors. Based on glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity, in the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells was decreased by 70% in cells treated with TCDD before the induction of differentiation, 25% during induction, and not at all after induction. This time-dependent inhibition of cell differentiation by TCDD was correlated with the levels of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). TCDD treatment decreased the mRNA levels of C/EBP alpha and PPAR gamma 2 but did not affect the mRNA levels of RXR alpha and RAR alpha. Furthermore, TCDD did not change the mRNA or protein levels of C/EBP beta, which is thought to play a role in inducing C/EBP alpha and PPAR gamma 2 expression. These results suggest that TCDD inhibited 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation through the AhR pathway, and the change of C/EBP beta mRNA and protein was not involved in reducing mRNA expression of C/EBP alpha and PPAR gamma 2.