Effect of methylxanthin derivatives on obesity

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K18701
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Food science
• Research Institution: Shinshu University
• Principal Investigator: Mitani Takakazu 信州大学, 先鋭領域融合研究群バイオメディカル研究所, 助教(特定雇用) (40773304)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: テオブロミン / 脂肪細胞 / アデノシン受容体 / 機能性食品成分

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Theobromine is a methylxanthine derived from cacao beans. In this study, we aimed to clarify the molecular mechanisms of the anti-adipogenic effect of theobromine. Theobromine administration attenuated gains in adipose tissue weights in mice. In addition, theobromine suppressed expression of adipogenic-associated genes in mouse adipose tissue. we found that theobromine selectively interacts with adenosine receptor A1 (AR1) and induced degradation of C/EBPβ protein by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Furthermore, theobromine increased sumoylation of C/EBPβ. These results indicate that theobromine suppresses adipocyte differentiation and induced C/EBPβ degradation by increasing its sumoylation, and suggest that the inhibition of AR1 signaling is important for theobromine-induced C/EBPβ degradation.

Free Research Field

農学