Coiled Coil Domain Containing Protein 3 (CCDC3)

CCDC3 was expressed abundantly in the aorta and adipose tissues. The mRNA levels of CCDC3 were higher in adipose tissues of obese db/db mice than control mice, and induced during differentiation of rat primary adipocytes. CCDC3 mRNA expression was enhanced by insulin and pioglitazone, a PPARgamma agonist, and suppressed by TNF-alpha, isoproterenol and norepinephrine. Transient expression experiments followed by N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis revealed secretion of CCDC3 protein into the culture medium, which was dose-dependently reduced by brefeldin A. CCDC3 protein was post-transcriptionally modified with N-glycosylation, and formed a dimer complex. CCDC3 is a protein secreted by adipocytes and endothelial cells, and that its level is regulated both hormonally and nutritionally.