Topics in Transcriptional Control of Lipid Metabolism: from Transcription Factors to Gene-Promoter Polymorphisms

Abstract

The central dogma of biology (DNA>>RNA>>Protein) has remained as an extremely useful scaffold to guide the study of molecular regulation of cellular metabolism. Molecular regulation of cellular metabolism has been pursued from an individual enzyme to a global assessment of protein function at the genomic (DNA), transcriptomic (RNA) and translation (Protein) levels. Details of a key role by inhibitory small RNAs and post-translational processing of cellular proteins on a whole cell/global basis are now just emerging. Below we emphasize the role of transcription factors (TF) in regulation of adipogenesis and lipogenesis. Additionally we have also focused on emerging additional TF that may also have hitherto unrecognized roles in adipogenesis and lipogenesis as compared to our present understanding. It is generally recognized that SNPs in structural genes can affect the final structure/function of a given protein. The implications of SNPs located in the non-transcribed promoter region on transcription have not been examined as extensively at this time. Here we have also summarized some emerging results on promoter SNPs for lipid metabolism and related cellular processes.

Introduction

The central dogma of biology 1 as coined by Francis Crick not only explained the sequential interactions of major cellular processes for replication and to synthesize proteins, but remains an important scaffold for our understanding of gene regulation. The concepts of transcriptional or pre-translational controls (related to gene expression), translational controls (related to protein biosynthesis) and post translational processes (related to protein processing and folding) are reflected in evolution of the contemporary knowledge base for regulation of gene expression and enzymatic activity 2. Much of our current understanding of gene regulation, protein synthesis and processing arose from studies of individual genes/enzymes considered rate limiting or very critical within a given pathway 3 (often related to rapid hormone responsiveness); however, more recently workers have been able to measure expression of genes (mRNA abundance) and the proteome expression utilizing DNA-micro-arrays 4, isoelectric focusing (IEF) and capillary electrophoresis and MALDI-mass spectroscopy 5, 6. Transcription is the starting point for eventual protein synthesis and function and is followed by other post-transcriptional processes. DNA polymorphisms (SNP) may also modify activity of an enzyme via structural modifications; such polymorphisms may be present in non-coding (introns) and coding (exons) regions of the structural gene giving rise to different alleles of a given gene. Additionally in the core promoter and enhancers/response elements (5' upstream from transcription start site) SNPs in regulatory sites or cis response elements may modify gene expression 7.

Post-transcriptional processes include translational control, protein processing and post-translational folding 2, 8. Newer emerging translational control mechanisms include non-coding microRNA (miRNA), which are now emerging as a major factor in the regulation of mRNA utilization for translation, 9,10. Processed miRNA are specific inhibitors of translation which do not participate in transcription per se. An example of a regulatory loop of transcription and subsequent translation (endogenous RNA interference pathway in post-translational regulation) has been described where an intron of a given structural gene contains a complete sequence for an unprocessed specific miRNA 11. Hence as the rate of transcription for such a gene increases (as would be noted via micro-array gene expression studies), a countervailing regulatory mechanisms is present to possibly attenuate translation and hence protein expression possibly leading to erroneous conclusions about the regulating effects of transcription 11. Other pre-translational gene expression regulatory events include snRNA processing, nucleosome remodeling, histone methylation, acetylation and ubiquination 12.

Adipose Tissue

Adipose tissue (AT) is present in all mammals to store excess nutritional energy in the form of triacylglycerol 13,14,15 such that during periods when nutrient availability is low or energy demand is high this energy can be mobilized and used as a readily available energy source (Thrifty gene hypothesis). Once thought of as simply a storage depot for excess dietary energy with lesser roles as a cushion and insulator in the body, we now know that AT participates in whole body endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine signaling networks that play critical roles in energy homeostasis, immune function and in reproductive processes 16, 17. AT also serves as the primary site for de novo fatty acid synthesis in livestock species such as pigs, and ruminant species; but much less so for humans and rodents 18. The contributions of AT to whole-body energy metabolism and cell-signaling in humans and animals have begun to garner much more appreciation. One of the highest research impact areas has been the discovery and characterization of specific transcription factors (TF) and adipokines in the metabolic processes of adipogenesis, lipogenesis, triacylglycerol (TAG) deposition, fat mobilization, transport and fatty acid oxidation. The role of TFs and adipokines as components of the regulatory network of lipid metabolism (for adipogenesis, lipogenesis and de novo fatty acid synthesis) has been well established and extensively reviewed 19, 20. Here we present a short overview to set the stage for some newer emerging processes that affect transcriptional control.

Adipogenesis

Adipogenesis is an inclusive term that describes the cellular events responsible for the commitment of pluripotent stem cells to the adipocyte lineage to form pre-adipocytes, and the proliferation and differentiation of these pre-adipocytes into mature adipocytes capable of assimilating and storing lipids as well as responding to various external stimuli 21,22. De novo AT development occurs in multiple distinct sites in animals including subcutaneous and visceral fat depots, kidney, and heart and between and within skeletal muscles. Adipogenic events are accompanied by functional and morphological changes that occur at the cellular level and lead to the formation and accretion of distinct AT depots in vivo 23,24. Adipose tissue expansion can be attributed to adipogenic processes that lead to hyperplastic and hypertrophic expansion of the depot during the course of growth and development. Numerous detailed studies on the stages and indices of adipogenesis have been conducted due to the agricultural and biomedical ramifications of AT biology and pathology, particularly with respect to excessive AT accretion. Much of our understanding of these events has been established using in-vitro techniques and various cell-lines (Reviewed in 24, 25).

The process of adipogenesis occurs as a series of temporally regulated events that are responsible for the development and expansion of AT in specific depots. Several studies have helped to determine that this process is under the control of specific transcription factors (TFs) that respond to environmental and developmental cues to establish and maintain adipogenic gene-expression paradigms 26-29, 30. The gene products targeted by these TFs include metabolic proteins, lipid transport proteins, and those that impart hormone responsiveness on the adipocyte 18, 31. The ultimate fate of adipocyte precursor cells is determined by several factors including the immediate endocrine/paracrine environment, adhesion to the extracellular matrix, the specific milieu of transcription and regulatory factors, and nutrient availability 22, 25, 32, 33. The balances of pro- and anti-adipogenic factors present in the local environment dictate the commitment to, and progression through adipogenic cascades 34.

Transcription factors have been identified which regulate/modulate adipogenesis as well as de novo fatty acid synthesis and lipogenesis (formation of fat) in differentiated adipose tissues. Much of this work continues to be repeatedly reviewed and updated. Findings have indicated that Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), Liver X receptor (LXR), Sterol regulatory element binding protein/factor-1c (SREBP-1c) and MLX interacting protein-like (MLXIPL; formerly Carbohydrate response element binding protein, ChREBP) are major regulatory factors both in adipogenesis, pre-adipocyte differentiation and fat deposition 22, 35, 36. Numerous other transcription factors have additional important roles in overall regulation of adipogenesis and lipogenesis 37. Many species (principally herbivores) utilize acetate as the primary precursor for de novo fatty acid synthesis 18 and here the roles of ATP-citrate lyase and MLXIPL would be less significant. A discussion of some of the well-characterized adipogenic TFs and other markers of differentiation follows below.

Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptors (PPARs)

PPARs belong to a family of ligand-dependent nuclear receptor transcription factors and the role of these TFs as master regulators of adipogenesis is supported by both in vivo and in vitro studies. Members of the PPAR family included PPAR-alpha, PPAR-beta/delta, and PPAR-gamma (PPAR-γ).

In terms of adipogenesis, the regulatory transcription cascade is centered on the expression of PPAR-γ 21, 38-40. PPAR-γ is a lipid activated nuclear receptor that is considered to be both necessary and sufficient to initiate the entire program of adipogenesis 21, 38, 40, 41. PPAR-γ is expressed as two isoforms designated PPAR-γ1 and PPAR-γ2, which are derived from alternative promoter regions in the same gene. PPAR-γ2 is identical to PPAR-γ1 with the exception of an additional 30 amino acid segment at the N-terminus of the peptide 42. While the PPAR-γ1 isoform is expressed in various tissues, PPAR-γ2 expression appears to be restricted to AT.

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are a class of pharmacological compounds that have insulin-sensitizing effects and have been shown to be ligands for PPAR-γ 39, 43, 44. These compounds are effective at improving insulin sensitivity in part by the PPAR-γ induced changes in expression of lipid metabolism and adipogenesis related genes including glucose transporters, fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs), lipogenic enzymes and lipoprotein lipase and other PPAR-γ targets 44. TZDs have been shown to effectively induce adipogenesis in several in vitro systems including rodent, human, bovine, and porcine adipose tissue stromal-vascular cell cultures 45. While these compounds are widely used in treatment of type-2 diabetes, their usefulness in livestock species to improve quality of muscle foods has garnered recent attention and warrants further consideration.

CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins (C/EBPs)

C/EBPs are a family of TFs, which consists of six members (C/EBP α to C/EBP δ). The expression of each of the C/EBP proteins occurs at specific time points during adipogenesis, indicative of their distinct roles in the process. CEBP/α and CEBP/δ are expressed early in adipogenesis and are responsible for initiating the differentiation of preadipocytes through eventual activation of PPAR-γ. Tang et al. 46 provided evidence for the role of CEBP/β in the adipogenic process. Using 3T3-L1 cells and murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) they determined that CEBP/β is involved in regulating mitotic clonal expansion of preadipocytes which is required for adipogenesis to occur, and precedes the expression of the TFs that give rise to the mature adipocyte phenotype 47.

C/EBPα is also known as a master regulator of adipogenesis and cooperates with PPAR-γ to establish and maintain the adipogenic program. In cell culture, expression of C/EBPα occurs relatively late during adipogenesis after the induction of PPARγ 48, 49. Rosen et al. 50 determined that while important, C/EBPα is not required to drive adipogenesis in the same manner that PPARγ does. This suggests that PPARγ and C/EBPα induce adipogenesis using a single pathway with PPARγ playing the predominant role and C/EBPα acting in a feed-forward loop to drive PPAR-γ expression. Terminal adipogenesis appears to be dependent on C/EBPα because failure to express C/EBPα results in insulin resistance and failure to accumulate white adipose tissue (WAT) in vivo suggesting that C/EBPα is required to maintain PPARγ expression which in turn contributes to insulin sensitivity and AT accretion 48.

MLX interacting protein-like protein

MLX interacting protein-like (MLXIPL; also known as carbohydrate response element binding protein, ChREBP) is a regulatory transcription factor that enhances the expression of lipogenic enzymes in response to cellular carbohydrate metabolite levels 35. Studies have shown that targeted disruption of MLXIPL results in aberrant lipid metabolism in vitro and in vivo 51. Further work showed that mRNA levels for all of the major lipogenic enzyme genes, as well as for hepatic pyruvate kinase (PKLR), were significantly lower in MXLIPL-null mice fed a high-starch diet compared to those in WT mice. In addition these mice showed decreased liver triacylglycerol and total body lipogenesis providing evidence for a significant role of MLXIPL in glucose regulation of lipid metabolism in vivo 51-53. Ishii et al. 54 also provided evidence for the direct role of MXLIPL in lipogenic gene expression utilizing various reporter-constructs containing acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthase (FAS), or PKLR promoters. Additionally, MXLIPL was responsive to glucose when transfected into WT but not MXLIPL null hepatocytes. In addition glucose transactivation of the constructs in MXLIPL null hepatocytes was restored by co-transfection with a functional MXLIPL expression plasmid 54.

Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Proteins (SREBPs)

Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Proteins (SREBPs) are helix-loop-helix TFs (bHLH) involved in adipogenesis and lipid metabolism; lipogenic genes possess a sterol response element for SREBP-1c binding 27, 55-57. SREBP-2 has been recognized as a cholesterol 'sensing” molecule 56, 58. Working with adipose rather than liver, Tontonoz et al. 27 described what was known as adipocyte determination and differentiation factor-1 (ADD1) as a basic helix loop helix domain containing protein which was expressed in brown adipose tissue and showed increased expression during differentiation of adipocytes in cell culture. They also showed that similar to SREBP-1, ADD1 could increase expression of the adipose fatty acid synthase (FAS gene), but was incapable of binding to other bHLH domain containing genes indicating the sequence specificity of this TF was high. The principal isoform of SREBPs that is insulin responsive and enhances liver and adipose lipogenesis is SREBP-1c. 59. Multiple possible insulin signaling pathways have been implicated in SREBP-1c induction. The mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), a target of insulin signaling, has recently been implicated in the induction of SREBP-1c 60. The SREBPs are unique proteins in that their nascent form is tethered in the endoplasmic reticulum and when their release by signal pathways is stimulated they are processed by highly specific proteases, released and processed before acting as a nuclear transcription factor 56.

Delta-kinase homolog 1

The differentiation of adipocyte progenitor cells to adipocytes is subject to induction by transcriptional activators and suppression by transcriptional inhibitors 40. The balance of inhibitors and activators is responsible for the rate and extent of adipogenesis among a population of progenitor cells. Delta-like kinase homolog 1 (DLK-1; also known as preadipocyte factor or Pref1) ) is a member of the epidermal growth factor-like protein family that was identified during differential screening of cDNAs expressed in differentiating murine 3T3-L1 adipocytes 61,62. DLK-1/Pref-1 expression is high in preadipocytes and is down-regulated during the conversion of preadipocytes to adipocytes. Smas and Sul 61 reported that DLK-1 was important in maintaining the preadipocyte state and that overexpression of DLK-1or addition of the soluble ectodomain of DLK-1 to 3T3-L1-cell culture was sufficient to prevent adipogenic conversion in these cells. DLK-1 also has an inhibitory effect on expression of PPAR-γ and CEBP/α. The role of DKL-1 as an anti-adipogenic TF has since been characterized in beef cattle and other livestock species with the bovine DLK-1 gene being mapped to chromosome 21q24 63 and its importance in adipogenesis particularly in the development of intramuscular fat has recently gained attention.

Multipotent mesenchymal cells (MSC) commit and differentiate into various cell lineages including myocytes, adipocytes, osteoblasts, and chondrocytes 15. DLK-1 is capable of regulating both the commitment of multipotent MSCs to a particular cell lineage and the maintenance of these committed cells in an immature state 64. Using DLK-1 knockout and transgenic murine embryonic fibroblasts, Wang and Sul 64 were able to elucidate some details on DLK-1 mechanism of action. They showed that DLK-1 inhibits the differentiation of adipocytes by upregulating the expression of SRY-sex determining region Y-box 9 (Sox9) which is expressed in progenitor cells that give rise to osteocytes and chondrocytes and promotes chondrogenic commitment. Cells that eventually give rise to chondrocytes and adipocytes come from a common source of MSCs; Sox9 inhibits adipogenesis while promoting chondrogenesis in this pool of progenitor cells. It was concluded that down regulation of Sox9 is required for adipocyte differentiation and that DLK-1 inhibits adipocyte differentiation through upregulation of Sox9 expression. Sox9 directly binds C/EBPβ/δ promoters and inhibits their expression thereby preventing adipocyte differentiation. Additionally authors showed that DLK-1 promotes chondrogenic determination of MSCs using a combination of DLK-1 null and overexpression mouse models. This provides evidence that DLK-1 directly targets and promotes Sox9 expression and that DLK-1 is capable of inhibiting MSC differentiation into adipocytes and directing them to chondrogenic lineage 65. Other workers have studied the relationship between Forkhead box-2 (Foxa-2) and DLK-1. Both DLK-1 and Foxa-2 expression is increased by growth hormone (GH), a potent adipogenesis and fat deposition inhibitor, and Foxa-4 appears to mediate the GH dependent inhibition of adipogenesis 66. There is further evidence that Foxa-2 attenuates adipocytes differentiation via direct activation of DLK-1 expression 66. As a further confirmation of Foxa-4 as an adipogenesis inhibitor, in hyper-insulinemic states such as obesity, Foxa-4 is not expressed in liver and adipose tissue. In addition Foxa-2 is phosphorylated by insulin/PI3K/Akt signaling which leads to the nuclear exclusion of this transcription factor 67.

Zinc-finger protein 423

Zinc finger protein 423 (Zfp423) is a recently identified regulator of adipogenesis and preadipocyte determination that unlike DLK-1, appears to promote the adipogenic events. Zfp423 is enriched in preadipogenic fibroblasts relative to non-adipogenic fibroblasts and its expression occurs upstream of PPARγ 68. Ablation of Zfp243 expression via short-hairpin RNA reduces PPARγ expression and impairs differentiation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. In undifferentiated cells, overexpression of Zfp423 results in PPAR-γ induction and adipogenic differentiation of these cells (under appropriate differentiation conditions). Zfp423 has also been implicated as a regulator of neurologic development; therefore other specifying factors are likely to be involved in obtaining adipogenic competency in non-committed precursor cells. Taken together these data indicate a permissive role of Zfp243 in commitment of precursor cells to their adipogenic fate 68.

Notch, Wnt and other novel inductive agents

We described above the basic program for adipogenesis involving transcription factors C/ERB β/δ to C/ERB α, PPARγ, followed by lipogenesis as determined in many cell culture studies 22, 29, 30, 55. Upstream or early factors that provide initial signals for downstream adult cell development for adipogenesis are first involved with the transition of early stem cells to multipotent mesochymal cells, followed by step wise developmental changes to specific progenitor cells for preadipocytes. Chondrocytes and myocytes also arise from the mesodermal cell lineage and share early developmental events with adipocytes 22. A competition between osteogenesis and adipogenesis for MSC occurs in bone and has received attention because of bone mineral loss in women 69. During periods of mineral loss in bones, marrow stromal fat cells show an increased differentiation, growth and fat deposition. Factors that enhance osteogenesis strongly inhibit adipogenesis. Utilizing primary human bone marrow stromal cells, Ugarte et al. 69 showed that Notch signaling enhanced osteogenic differentiation but inhibited adipogenesis. Recent work utilizing epididymal white adipose tissue (WAT) and 3T3 and ST cell lines showed that Wnt 6, 10a and 10b expression was lowered during adipogenesis in vivo and in vitro while ectopic expression of Wnt 6, 10a, 10b inhibited adipogenesis in cell lines. These Wnt proteins however stimulated osteoblastogenesis in STcells 70. The Wnt TF signaling involved in adipogenesis and osteogenesis is dependent on β-catenin 70. Wnt ligands may also stimulate adipogenesis under different circumstances 71-73. There is a growing list of additional transcription factors and ligands that appear to participate in the molecular regulation of adipogenesis 10,74,75, including Krűppel like factors (KLF) a large family of zinc-finger TFs. These TFs appear to positively or negatively affect adipogenesis via crosstalk with C/ERBβ/δ and PPARγ 10, 75-80.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in lipogenic gene promoters

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) based alleles in the structural genes may be utilized as genetic markers 81; however such SNP depending on intron or exon location may also alter functional characteristics of gene products. SNP in regulatory elements in promoters or 5' flanking regions could also alter expression of genes. Several groups noted that about 30% of SNP in gene regulatory regions may have functional consequences 82, 83. Several examples for human and animal lipid metabolism are related below followed by a brief summary of very recent examples of SNP in gene regulatory-promoter regions.

While genome wide association studies based on high genome coverage SNP genotyping have related alleles/polymorphisms with phenotypes/traits (such as resistance or sensitivities to diseases, nutrient requirements, changes in metabolism) in both human and animal systems 81, 84, 85, the extent of polymorphisms /multiple alleles as assessed by SNP in the non-transcribed promoter/regulatory regions has been evaluated to a more limited extent. A SNP within a cis response element may weaken the binding of key transcription factors resulting in a lowered transcription. The 5' (upstream) flanking promoter elements of many genes coding for enzymes involved in de novo fatty acid synthesis are characterized by multiple response elements. Among these are sites for the following transcription factors MLXIPL, Hepatic nuclear factor (HNF-4α), LXR, Retinoid X receptor (RXR), SREBP-1c, Specificity protein transcription factor 1/3 (Sp1/3) and trans-Upstream stimulatory factor (USF) binding CCAAT/E box cis-promoter elements in fatty acid synthase 86. As shown by Jump et al. 87 promoter binding of individual “lipogenic TF” may be relatively weak, but in concert these TF provide a strong impetus to transcription.

A g.841G>C SNP, located within a GC-rich region has been characterized in bovine fatty acid synthase 82. These workers demonstrated that this SNP appears to affect Sp3 binding ability in bovine lactating mammary gland fatty acid synthase promoter, thereby affecting milk fatty acid content 83. Milk fat in dairy cows on pasture may contain widely varying content of conjugated fatty acids (CLA) and stearoyl CoA desaturase (SCD) is involved in CLA synthesis in the bovine mammary gland. Keating et al 88 hypothesized SNP in critical promoter sites of bovine SCD may account for the observed high variations in milk CLA of animals on the same diet, however they found that sequences in segments of the 5' region of SCD did not differ between high and low milk CLA producers. Lee et al. 89 detected a SNP at -368 C>T in the promoter region of the acetyl CoA carboxylase B isoform (rodent) with the T allele showing significantly lower activity than the C allele. Other more recent work in other tissue systems for example has shown that a mutation in the cytochrome P450, family 11, subfamily A polypeptide (CYP11a1) promoter resulted in its down regulation of expression in adrenal, testis, ovary and placental tissues 90. Additionally Richter et al. 91 using bio-informatics tools identified 3 SNPs in the ESR2 gene (encodes estrogen receptor beta protein) in humans. Utilizing a cell line, an ESR2 gene (3 SNPs singly or in combination) promoter luciferase reporter assays resulted in a fifty percent decline in ESR2 expression. Working with a Korean adult population, Kang et al. 92 associated SNP s in the leukemia inhibitory factor receptor gene promoter with schizophrenia.

Conclusions and future research directions

Fat cells may differentiate pre and postnatal. Hence well characterized cell lines and primary cell lines such as stromal vascular cells and collagenase digests of adipose tissues may all be extremely useful to continue ongoing paths of investigations in the molecular regulation of adipogenesis/differentiation in fat cells 93. Additional understanding is needed on earlier, upstream molecular events of development in fat cells than the canonical adipogenic program principally derived with work from cell lines. Biopsies of preadipocyte containing tissue over time may be an excellent resource to identify upstream regulatory events. In all tissue samples obtained early in the development process, multi-potent as well as committed cells may be present. It may then be difficult to discern the role of specific transcription factors in molecular regulation in specific cell types or its precursors. In our view, comprehensive genome-wide data interpretation to obtain clearer understanding of the myriad of molecular regulatory factors for adipose development for health and disease studied with many different experimental systems will be incremental. At the present time relevant transcription factors are still being discovered and characterized 70, 76, 79, 80. In addition our technical abilities (such as LC-MS proteomic analysis, second generation sequencing) appear to surpass for the most part our interpretive capabilities. New computational approaches are thus required and development of multiple software resources is presently a major activity in the bioinformatics community.

Summary

Increasing understanding of regulation of lipid metabolism is being addressed utilizing molecular studies. Global gene expression profiling and genome wide association studies are being utilized extensively for diagnostic, predictive and functional studies at the genome level. These studies are especially valuable for studying control of lipid anabolism where most important genes are under transcriptional control. There appears to be ever burgeoning number of transcription factors to regulate lipid and cholesterol synthesis. The rate of expression may be critically affected by SNP/mutations in critical response elements of gene promoters. Putative effects of SNP in promoter response elements of lipogenenic enzymes can presently not be predicted, however lowering TF binding capacity may result in a mechanism for the regulation of the rate of gene expression. While from a human perspective, the overriding desire is to control fat deposition and cholesterol excess to maintain or improve health, a more complete understanding of lipid metabolism regulation in farm/food producing species will enable the production of lower fat but higher quality muscle food products.

Biographies

Dr. Werner G. Bergen is Professor of Biochemistry and Nutrition in the Department of Animal Sciences at Auburn University (AU) and Professor-Emeritus in Animal Science at Michigan State University (MSU). For over four decades Dr. Bergen has studied biochemical and molecular-regulatory aspects of amino acids/protein and lipid metabolism and growth & development principally in beef cattle and pigs with occasional work with laboratory rodents or cell lines in culture. His work has resulted in 133 peer-reviewed journal articles, numerous abstracts and state agricultural experiment station reports. He has also been cooperating in USDA sponsored multi-state research programs in muscle biology and growth (NCCC131) and food animal lipid metabolism (NCCC210) and has successfully supervised/mentored 25 PhD students and many Master of Science students at MSU and AU.

Mr. Derris D. Burnett is a PhD candidate in the area of growth, development and lipid metabolism of ruminants in the Department of Animal Sciences at Auburn University. He has completed his bachelor's and master's degrees at Tuskegee University. He has been conducting research on the molecular regulation of differentiation of intramuscular preadipocytes in grazing cattle. This work is being conducted to more fully understand the mechanism of potential intramuscular fat (marbling) deposition in cattle primarily raised and finished on pasture/forage systems.