Glucose induces expression of stearoyl-CoA desaturase in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD; EC 1.14.99.5) is a key enzyme in the synthesis polyunsaturated fatty acids. Liver and ose tissue are the predominant sites of SCD expression. Regulation of tic SCD by various nutritional and hormonal ors, such as insulin, dietary carbohydrates and polyunsaturated fatty s, has been well documented. Little is known, ver, about adipocyte SCD regulation despite high levels of SCD activity adipose tissue. The present study was gned to investigate SCD regulation in adipocytes by examining the cts of glucose and insulin on SCD expression. We rt here that glucose availability directly increased SCD gene scription in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. This response was pendent of insulin, and insulin alone in the absence of glucose had no ct on SCD mRNA levels. SCD thus represents a l model in which to investigate the mechanisms of direct regulation of expression by glucose in adipose cells.