FIGURE 11.

The proposed role of FAM57B in adipogenesis. PPARγ directly controls FAM57B var2 expression, and consequently FAM57B synthesizes ceramides during adipogenesis. PPARγ is the master regulator of adipogenesis. FAM57B also regulates adipogenesis through ceramide metabolism. High ceramide levels could inhibit adipogenesis, whereas low levels might promote adipogenesis by being converted to sphingosin 1-phosphate (S1P), which is another sphingolipid that promotes adipogenesis and generally works contrary to ceramides.