J Genomics 2012; 1:1-4. doi:10.7150/jgen.3276

Editorial

Adipogenesis: It Is Not Just Lipid That Comprises Adipose Tissue

Michael V. Dodson^1✉, Zhihua Jiang¹, Min Du¹, Gary J. Hausman²

1. Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
2. USDA-ARS, Richard B. Russell Agricultural Research Station, Athens, GA 30604, USA

Abstract

Adipogenesis is the initial component of forming cells (adipocytes) capable of assimilating lipid. Lipid metabolism is a metabolic process whereby lipid is stored for use when energy is required. Both processes involve cellular and molecular components. The gene regulations of each are different and (yet) confusingly, markers for both are used interchangeably. The focus of this paper is to provide elementary information regarding both processes and to introduce this issue of Journal of Genomics, whereby important aspects of adipogenesis and lipid metabolism involving gene expression are provided.

Keywords: Adipogenesis, Lipid Metabolism, Gene Regulation