Figure 7.

Role of Akr1b7 in adipose tissue homeostasis. In preadipocytes, arachidonic acid (AA) is metabolized into PGH₂ by COX and is further converted into PGF_2α by the PGFS activity of Akr1b7. PGF_2α is supposed to mediate an autocrine activation of FP receptors on preadipocytes that inhibits their differentiation into adipocytes. In addition, PGF_2α inhibits lipogenesis in mature adipocytes. Accordingly, altered production of PGF_2α in Akr1b7^−/− mice leads to an expansion of adipose tissue due to both hyperplasia and hypertrophy of adipocytes.