Bisindoylmaleimide I suppresses adipocyte differentiation through stabilization of intracellular β-catenin protein

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays important roles in cell differentiation. Activation of this pathway, likely by Wnt-10b, has been shown to inhibit adipogenesis in cultured 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and mice. Here we revealed that bisindoylmaleimide I (BIM), which is widely used as a specific inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), inhibits adipocyte differentiation through activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. BIM increased β-catenin responsive transcription (CRT) and up-regulated intracellular β-catenin levels in HEK293 cells and 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. BIM significantly decreased intracellular lipid accumulation and reduced expression of important adipocyte marker genes including peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and CAATT enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα) in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Taken together, our findings indicate that BIM inhibits adipogenesis by increasing the stability of β-catenin protein in 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cells.