Abstract

Long noncoding RNAs are crucial factors for modulating adipogenic differentiation, but only a few have been identified in humans. In the current study, we identified a previously unknown human long noncoding RNA, LYPLAL1-antisense RNA1 (LYPLAL1-AS1), which was dramatically upregulated during the adipogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs). Based on 5′ and 3′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends assays, full-length LYPLAL1-AS1 was 523 nt. Knockdown of LYPLAL1-AS1 decreased the adipogenic differentiation of hAMSCs, whereas overexpression of LYPLAL1-AS1 enhanced this process. Desmoplakin (DSP) was identified as a direct target of LYPLAL1-AS1. Knockdown of DSP enhanced adipogenic differentiation and rescued the LYPLAL1-AS1 depletion-induced defect in adipogenic differentiation of hAMSCs. Further experiments showed that LYPLAL1-AS1 modulated DSP protein stability possibly via proteasome degradation, and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway was inhibited during adipogenic differentiation regulated by the LYPLAL1-AS1/DSP complex. Together, our work provides a new mechanism by which long noncoding RNA regulates adipogenic differentiation of human MSCs and suggests that LYPLAL1-AS1 may serve as a novel therapeutic target for preventing and combating diseases related to abnormal adipogenesis, such as obesity.