Inhibition of ASCT2 is essential in all-trans retinoic acid-induced reduction of adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells

Vitamin A has preventive effects on obesity. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), the active form of vitamin A, inhibits lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells in an experimental adipogenesis model. We found that ATRA suppressed up-regulation of the amino acid transporter, Asct2, in adipogenerating 3T3-L1 cells. We observed that Asct2 was up-regulated at 1 day after adipogenesis stimuli. The Asct2 inhibitor l-γ-glutamyl-p-nitroanilide (GPNA) decreased lipid accumulation. Glutamine-free conditions also suppressed adipogenesis. Suppression of adipogenesis by ATRA may be through Asct2 reduction. These results indicate that Asct2 could be a target for obesity prevention and treatment.