Abstract: Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of transforming growth factor β receptor type Ⅰ (TGFBRⅠ) on adipocyte differentiation by using a small interference RNA (siRNA). Methods The siRNA targeting TGFBRⅠwas synthesized as experimental group, and negative control siRNA was used as control group. The efficiency of TGFBR Ⅰ depletion and the expression levels of adipocyte- specific transcription factors CCAAT enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα)， peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and adipocyte marker gene fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) were detected by quantitative real-time PCR. After treating with adipocyte differentiation agents for 5 days, the cells were stained with oil red O, and the staining of adipocyte was observed and photographed by laser confocal microscope. In addition, with isopropanol extracted oil red O, optical density values of oil red O were measured at a wavelength of 520, and which were compared between groups. Results After transfection of TGFBR Ⅰ siRNA, gene expression levels of TGFBR Ⅰ were significantly reduced in ST2 cells, the number of differentiated adipocytes was significantly increased, and the mRNA levels of adipocyte specific transcription factor C/EBP α and PPARγ and adipocyte marker gene FABP4 were enhanced compared with those of control group. After treating with adipocyte differentiation agents for 5 days， the number of lipid droplets of cells with transfection of TGFBRⅠsiRNA was increased than that of cells with transfection of control siRNA. The value of optical density was higher in cells with transfection of TGFBRⅠsiRNA than that of control siRNA group. Conclusion TGFBRⅠ siRNA can effectively facilitate adipocyte formation, which suggests that TGFBR Ⅰis an important regulator of adipogenic differentiation from prog

Key words: adipocytes, cell differentiation, receptors, transforming growth factor beta, CCAAT-enhancer-binding pro?
tein-alpha, RNA, small interfering, adipocyte characterization factor FABP4