GSK126 alleviates the obesity phenotype by promoting the differentiation of thermogenic beige adipocytes in diet-induced obese mice

A close relationship between epigenetic regulation and obesity has been demonstrated in several recent studies. Histone methyltransferase enhancer of Zeste homolog 2 (Ezh2), which mainly catalyzes trimethylation of histone H3K27 to form H3K27me3 was found to be required for the differentiation of white and brown adipocytes in vitro. Here, we investigated the effects of the Ezh2-specific inhibitor GSK126 in a mouse model of obesity induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). We found that GSK126 treatment reduced body fat, improved glucose tolerance, increased lipolysis and improved cold tolerance in mice by promoting the differentiation of thermogenic beige adipocytes. Moreover, we discovered that GSK126 inhibited the differentiation of white adipocytes, and the decrease of Ezh2 enzymatic activity and H3K27me3 also changed the morphology of brown adipocytes but did not alter the expression of thermogenic genes in these cells. Our results indicated that GSK126 was a novel chemical inducer of beige adipocytes and may be a potential therapeutic agent for the management of obesity. Furthermore, they also prompted that Ezh2 and H3K27me3 play different roles in the differentiation of the white, brown, and beige adipocytes in vivo. •GSK126, a chemical inducer of beige adipocytes, was identified in mice.•GSK126 induced the browning phenotype in subcutaneous and visceral WAT in mice.•Ezh2 and H3K27me3 promoted the differentiation of white adipocytes in mice.•Ezh2 and H3K27me3 inhibited the differentiation of beige adipocytes in mice.•Ezh2 and H3K27me3 played complex roles in brown adipocytes differentiation in mice.