Serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) regulates several physiological processes such as the cell cycle, cell growth, apoptosis, and signal transduction. In this study, we examined the expression and role of PP2A Cα in adipocyte differentiation. PP2A Cα expression and PP2A activity decreased during adipocyte differentiation in C3H10T1/2 and 3T3-L1 cells and the expression of adipocyte marker genes such as PPARγ and adiponectin increased. To further clarify the role of PP2A Cα in adipocyte differentiation, we constructed PP2A knockdown cells by infecting C3H10T1/2 cells with a lentivirus expressing a shRNA specific for the PP2A Cα (shPP2A cells). Silencing of PP2A Cα in C3H10T1/2 cells dramatically stimulated adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation, which were accompanied by expression of adipocyte marker genes. Silencing of PP2A Cα suppressed Wnt10b expression and reduced the levels of the inactivated form of GSK-3β (phospho-GSK-3β), leading to the reduction of β-catenin levels in the nucleus and its transcriptional activity. Treatment with LiCl, a GSK-3β inhibitor, and inhibition of PPARγ expression suppressed the accelerated adipogenesis of shPP2A cells. Our data indicate that PP2A Cα plays an important role in the regulation of adipocyte differentiation by regulating the Wnt/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway and PPARγ expression.
