Cystathionine gamma-lyase/hydrogen sulfide system is essential for adipogenesis and fat mass accumulation in mice

Abstract Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) has been recognized as an important gasotransmitter analogous to nitric oxide and carbon monoxide. Cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE)-derived H 2 S is implicated in the regulation of insulin resistance and glucose metabolism, but the involvement of CSE/H 2 S system in energy homeostasis and fat mass has not been extensively explored. In this study, a potential functional role of the CSE/H 2 S system in in vitro adipocyte differentiation and in vivo adipogenesis and the underlying mechanism was investigated. CSE expression and H 2 S production were increased during adipocyte differentiation, and that the pattern of CSE mRNA expression was similar to that of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) β and δ, two key regulators for adipogenesis. C/EBPβ and γ bind to the CCAAT box in CSE promoter and stimulate CSE gene transcription. H 2 S induced PPARγ transactivation activity by S -sulfhydrating all the cysteine residues in the DNA binding domain and stimulated adipogenesis. High fat diet-induced fat mass was lost in CSE deficient mice, and exogenously applied H 2 S promoted fat mass accumulation in fruit flies. In conclusion, CSE/H 2 S system is essential for adipogenesis and fat mass accumulation through enhancement of PPARγ function in adipocytes. This study suggests that the CSE/H 2 S system is involved in the pathogenesis of obesity in mice.