Details for: CL1000309

Cell ID: CL1000309

Cell Name: epicardial adipocyte

Description: An adipocyte that is part of the epicardial fat.

Synonyms: adipocyte of epicardial fat, epicardial fat cell

Selected Context(s): Overall

Gene Significance Landscape

Display Options
Score:
Display
Genes

Contexts:

Cell Significance Index (CSI) is uniquely calculated to reveal cell-specific gene markers. More info here

Significant Genes List

Genes with the highest and lowest Percentile Rank Scores (PRS) for epicardial adipocyte within the selected context(s).

Gene ID: A unique numerical identifier for this specific gene.
Symbol: Shortened abbreviation or name that represents this gene.
Ensembl Gene ID: A unique identifier assigned by Ensembl for genomic data mapping.
CSI Score: A combined effect size and statistical significance measure for epicardial adipocyte. Higher scores indicate a stronger, more significant difference in expression.
(Previously described as "Fold Change", but now represents Cliff's Delta × –log10(p).)

Gene ID: A unique numerical identifier for this specific gene.
Symbol: Shortened abbreviation or name that represents this gene.
Ensembl Gene ID: A unique identifier assigned by Ensembl for genomic data mapping.
CSI Score: A combined effect size and statistical significance measure for epicardial adipocyte. Higher scores indicate a stronger, more significant difference in expression.
Average CSI: csi sum / gene count
Cell network configuration

This network visualizes key genes for epicardial adipocyte. It primarily includes:
1. Top genes highly significant for this cell (Num. Top Cell Genes - based on the 'Min. CSI' setting).
2. Any additional specific 'Context Genes' you add below.
The final network is a combined view. Choose an Interaction Source (pathways or protein interactions) and optionally compare CSI scores with a Baseline Cell Type.

Maximum number of selected genes.
Select a context for the baseline cell.
Select a context for the target cell.
Target Cell for CSI:  epicardial adipocyte (CL1000309)

 Legend
Nodes (Genes):
 Query Gene
Node size also reflects Target Cell CSI magnitude.
Node Color (Target Cell CSI in specific network):
 Very High
 High
 Medium
 Low
 Very Low
 N/A or Not Sig.
Edges (Interactions):
 STRING (Protein-Protein)
 ONTOLOGY (Shared Pathway)
 Colors vary by pathway category; default arrow applies.

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## Summary The [epicardial adipocyte](/details-cell/CL1000309) is a specialized fat cell located within the epicardial fat depot surrounding the heart. Based on its gene significance profile, this cell type is not merely a passive energy storage site but a metabolically dynamic cell with a highly distinct transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory landscape. Its identity is uniquely defined by the high expression of [SAT1](/details-gene/6303), the rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine catabolism, alongside a suite of classic adipocyte markers such as [ADIPOQ](/details-gene/9370) and [PLIN1](/details-gene/5346). Intriguingly, this cell also expresses genes typically associated with cardiac muscle and neuronal function, suggesting a complex, specialized role in cardiac homeostasis. **Overall**, the [epicardial adipocyte](/details-cell/CL1000309) appears to be a highly specialized cell with functions extending beyond lipid metabolism to potentially include paracrine signaling, regulation of the local cellular environment, and direct modulation of cardiac function. ## Key Characteristics and Function The functional profile of the [epicardial adipocyte](/details-cell/CL1000309), as inferred from its top marker genes, can be organized into several key biological themes. * **Adipocyte Identity and Lipid Metabolism:** The cell strongly expresses a canonical set of genes essential for adipocyte function. This includes [ADIPOQ](/details-gene/9370) (adiponectin), a key adipokine involved in systemic insulin sensitivity; [PLIN1](/details-gene/5346) (Perilipin 1), which coats lipid droplets to regulate lipolysis; [PNPLA3](/details-gene/80339), a hydrolase involved in lipid metabolism; [GPAM](/details-gene/57678), critical for triglyceride synthesis; and [AQP7](/details-gene/364), a channel that facilitates glycerol release from the cell ([Link](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9405233/)). This signature confirms its primary role in lipid storage and mobilization. * **Transcriptional and Post-Transcriptional Regulation:** A notable feature is the high significance of genes involved in RNA processing. These include the DEAD-box RNA helicases [DDX5](/details-gene/1655) and [DDX17](/details-gene/10521), which are involved in alternative splicing, and RNA-binding proteins like [RBM39](/details-gene/9584) and [PNISR](/details-gene/25957). The high expression of the long non-coding RNA [NEAT1](/details-gene/283131), a core structural component of nuclear paraspeckles, further suggests a complex layer of gene regulation. This robust machinery for RNA metabolism may be required to maintain the unique and specialized transcriptional program of these cells. * **Specialized Metabolic Pathways:** The most specific marker for this cell is [SAT1](/details-gene/6303), spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase, which is the key regulatory enzyme in polyamine catabolism ([Link](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1985966/)). High [SAT1](/details-gene/6303) activity suggests a high flux through this pathway, which is involved in cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. This distinguishes epicardial adipocytes from many other cell types. * **Interaction with the Cardiac Environment:** The expression profile suggests significant cross-talk with the surrounding cardiac tissue. The cell expresses [MYH7](/details-gene/4625), the beta-myosin heavy chain characteristic of cardiac muscle, and [TCAP](/details-gene/8557) (telethonin), a sarcomeric protein. Additionally, it expresses genes with roles in cell adhesion and signaling such as [CDH19](/details-gene/28513) (cadherin 19) and [NLGN1](/details-gene/22871) (neuroligin 1), the latter typically found at neuronal synapses. * **Distinctly Low Mitochondrial Respiration Profile:** The anti-marker profile is strikingly coherent, with a profound negative enrichment for genes encoding components of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. This includes multiple subunits of NADH dehydrogenase ([ND1](/details-gene/4535), [ND2](/details-gene/4536), [ND3](/details-gene/4537), [ND4](/details-gene/4538)), cytochrome c oxidase ([COX1](/details-gene/4512), [COX2](/details-gene/4513), [COX3](/details-gene/4514)), and ATP synthase ([ATP6](/details-gene/4508)). This strongly suggests that, relative to other cells, the [epicardial adipocyte](/details-cell/CL1000309) has a reduced reliance on oxidative phosphorylation for energy production. ## Clinical Significance and Contextual Roles **Overall**, the unique gene signature of the [epicardial adipocyte](/details-cell/CL1000309) places it at the intersection of metabolic disease and cardiovascular health. Epicardial adipose tissue is increasingly recognized as a local, pathogenic organ in coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure, functioning beyond simple energy storage. The specific expression of [TECRL](/details-gene/253017) is of high clinical importance. Mutations in [TECRL](/details-gene/253017) are known to cause a life-threatening inherited arrhythmia syndrome with features of both Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) and Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT) ([Link](https://doi.org/10.15252/emmm.201505719)). Its high significance in a non-myocyte cell type within the heart suggests a potential paracrine mechanism whereby epicardial adipocytes could modulate cardiac electrophysiology, possibly contributing to arrhythmogenesis in certain pathological states. Furthermore, the expression of [ADRA1A](/details-gene/148) (alpha-1A adrenergic receptor) indicates that these cells are responsive to catecholamines, linking them to the sympathetic nervous system which plays a critical role in cardiac regulation and pathology. The expression of [MYH7](/details-gene/4625), a gene whose mutations are a primary cause of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, further deepens the connection between this adipocyte and cardiac muscle disease, although the functional role of this protein in an adipocyte is unclear. ## Potential Mechanisms and Research Directions 1. **Hypothesis:** Epicardial adipocytes directly modulate cardiac electrophysiology via expression of arrhythmia-associated genes. The high expression specificity of [TECRL](/details-gene/253017) in these cells suggests they may synthesize and secrete the TECRL protein or related metabolites, which then act on adjacent [cardiomyocytes](/details-cell/CL0000746) to alter ion channel function and action potential duration. * **Surprising Findings:** The identification of a potent arrhythmogenic gene, [TECRL](/details-gene/253017), as a top marker for a non-excitable fat cell is highly unexpected. Similarly, the expression of sarcomeric proteins like [MYH7](/details-gene/4625) and [TCAP](/details-gene/8557) in an adipocyte challenges conventional understanding of this cell's lineage and function, suggesting potential plasticity or a shared developmental origin with cardiac muscle. * **Testable Questions:** Can TECRL protein be detected in the secretome of cultured human epicardial adipocytes? Does co-culturing these adipocytes with human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived [cardiomyocytes](/details-cell/CL0000746) lead to changes in the cardiomyocytes' action potential duration or calcium handling, and is this effect abrogated by [TECRL](/details-gene/253017) knockdown in the adipocytes? 2. **Hypothesis:** The unique metabolic phenotype of epicardial adipocytes, characterized by low oxidative phosphorylation and high polyamine catabolism, creates a distinct local microenvironment that contributes to cardiac inflammation and dysfunction. * **Surprising Findings:** The strong and consistent negative signature for nearly every major mitochondrial respiratory chain complex is a profound finding. It suggests a metabolic state that may favor the production of signaling molecules or inflammatory mediators over efficient ATP generation via respiration, a feature that could be central to its pathological role. * **Testable Questions:** Using Seahorse metabolic analysis, what is the extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) to oxygen consumption rate (OCR) ratio for primary epicardial adipocytes compared to subcutaneous adipocytes? Does pharmacological inhibition of [SAT1](/details-gene/6303) in these cells alter their secretion profile of pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-6 and TNF-alpha, particularly in response to hypoxic or adrenergic stress?