Fig 2: ADAR2 knockdown accelerates lipogenesis in hepatocytes. (A) The mRNA levels of ADAR2 relative to GAPDH were analyzed by qRT-PCR after transfection with ADAR2-siRNA in HepG2 cells. (B) The lipid content of HepG2 cells was determined by Nile Red staining. (C) The TG levels of HepG2 cells. (D) The mRNA levels of lipogenesis-related genes (Fasn and Srebp1c) relative to GAPDH were analyzed by qRT-PCR. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001; n = 6. OA, oleic acid; TG, triglyceride; ADAR2, adenosine deaminases acting on RNA 2; Fasn, fatty acid synthase; Srebp1c, sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c. Scale bar = 100 μm.

Fig 3: miR-34a is negatively regulated by ADAR2. (A) The miR-34a levels relative to U6 were analyzed by qRT-PCR after transfection with ADAR2 overexpression plasmid/vector in HepG2 cells. ? Con+FUGW; ¦ Con+OE-ADAR2-FUGW; ? OA+FUGW; ? OA+OE-ADAR2-FUGW. (B) The miR-34a levels relative to U6 were analyzed by qRT-PCR after transfecting with ADAR2-siRNA/vector in HepG2 cells. ? Con+si-NC; ¦ Con+si-ADAR2; ? OA+si-NC; ? OA+si-ADAR2. (C) The miR-34a levels relative to U6 in the livers of mice with NAFLD. ? Con+Sed; ¦ Con+Run; ? HFD+L-NAME+Sed; ? HFD+L-NAME+Run. *** p < 0.001; n = 6. OE, overexpression; OA, oleic acid; Sed, sedentary; HFD, high-fat diet; L-NAME, N?-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, hydrochloride; ADAR2, adenosine deaminases acting on RNA 2.

Fig 4: ADAR2 overexpression suppresses lipogenesis in hepatocytes. (A) The mRNA levels of ADAR2 relative to GAPDH were analyzed by qRT-PCR after transfection with the ADAR2 overexpression plasmid in HepG2 cells. (B) The lipid content of HepG2 cells was determined by Nile Red staining. (C) The TG levels of HepG2 cells. (D) The mRNA levels of lipogenesis-related genes (Fasn and Srebp1c) relative to GAPDH were analyzed by qRT-PCR. *** p < 0.001; n = 6. OE, overexpression; OA, oleic acid; TG, triglyceride; ADAR2, adenosine deaminases acting on RNA 2; Fasn, fatty acid synthase; Srebp1c, sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c. Scale bar = 100 µm.

Fig 5: miR-34a blocks the inhibitory effect of ADAR2 on lipogenesis in hepatocytes. (A) The expression levels of miR-34a relative to U6 were analyzed by qRT-PCR after transfection with miR-34a mimic in HepG2 cells. (B) The lipid content of HepG2 cells was determined by Nile Red staining. (C) The TG levels of HepG2 cells. (D) The mRNA levels of lipogenesis-related genes (Fasn and Srebp1c) relative to GAPDH were analyzed by qRT-PCR. * p < 0.05, *** p < 0.001; n = 6. OE, overexpression; OA, oleic acid; TG, triglyceride; ADAR2, adenosine deaminases acting on RNA 2; Fasn, fatty acid synthase; Srebp1c, sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c. Scale bar = 100 µm.