Foxk1 stimulates adipogenic differentiation via a peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma 2‐dependent mechanism

Abstract Adipogenesis is a tightly regulated process, and its dysfunction has been linked to metabolic disorders such as obesity. Forkhead box k1 (Foxk1) is known to play a role in the differentiation of myogenic precursor cells and tumorigenesis of different types of cancers; however, it is not clear whether and how it influences adipocyte differentiation. Here, we found that Foxk1 was induced in mouse primary bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and established mesenchymal progenitor/stromal cell lines C3H/10T1/2 and ST2 after adipogenic treatment. In addition, obese db/db mice have higher Foxk1 expression in inguinal white adipose tissue than nonobese db/m mice. Foxk1 overexpression promoted adipogenic differentiation of C3H/10T1/2, ST2 cells and BMSCs, along with the enhanced expression of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein‐α, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (Pparγ), and fatty acid binding protein 4. Moreover, Foxk1 overexpression enhanced the expression levels of lipogenic factors during adipogenic differentiation in both C3H/10T1/2 cells and BMSCs. Conversely, Foxk1 silencing impaired these cells from fully differentiating. Furthermore, adipogenic stimulation induced the nuclear translocation of Foxk1, which depended on the mTOR and PI3‐kinase signaling pathways. Subsequently, Foxk1 is directly bound to the Pparγ2 promoter, stimulating its transcriptional activity and promoting adipocyte differentiation. Collectively, our study provides the first evidence that Foxk1 promotes adipocyte differentiation from progenitor cells by promoting nuclear translocation and upregulating the transcriptional activity of the Pparγ2 promoter during adipogenic differentiation.