前脂肪细胞的分化是由多个转录因子组成的一个精细调控网络所控制的。小鼠上的研究表明，转录因子TCF21在白色前脂肪细胞中特异表达，暗示其可能在前脂肪细胞分化过程中扮演重要角色。鸡TCF21基因对前脂肪细胞分化的影响和调控机制尚不明确。本项目拟采用基因过表达、干扰及敲除技术，观察脂滴沉积和前脂肪细胞分化标志基因表达水平等的变化，明确鸡TCF21基因对前脂肪细胞分化的影响；随后，利用ChIP-Seq技术筛选TCF21的靶基因，并开展候选靶基因的鉴定工作；利用IP-MS技术筛选TCF21的互作蛋白，并进行验证和功能分析；利用细胞通路筛选阵列试剂盒鉴定TCF21调控前脂肪细胞分化所参与的细胞信号通路；比较高、低脂系鸡只腹部脂肪组织中TCF21全基因的甲基化程度。通过上述研究，揭示鸡TCF21基因调控前脂肪细胞分化的机制。

Preadipocyte differentiation is orchestrated by a fine regulatory network composed of multiple transcription factors. In mice, the transcription factor TCF21 expressed specifically in white preadipocytes, implying that TCF21 potentially plays an important role in preadipocyte differentiation. To date, the role of TCF21 and how it regulates preadipocyte differentiation remain unknown in chickens. In the current project we aim to investigate the effects of TCF21 on preadipocyte differentiation, if lipid droplet deposition and adipogenic marker gene expression will be disturbed by gene over-expression, knockdown and knockout techniques. Next, we will screen the target genes of TCF21 by ChIP-Seq; verify the function of proteins interacted with TCF21 by IP-MS; identify cellular signaling pathways in which TCF21 regulates preadipocyte differentiation by cignal finder reporter assay kit; and assay the DNA methylations levels of TCF21 gene in the adipose tissues of lean and fat chicken lines. Combining all these approaches, the regulatory mechanism of TCF21 on chicken preadipocyte differentiation will be clarified.