Plays a role in stimulating adipocyte differentiation and development. Selectively expressed in adipose tissue where it is particularly enriched in brown adipose tissue. In adipose tissue, expressed exclusively in adipocytes and not in the stromal-vascular cell population. Expressed at much lower levels in heart, stomach and muscle and barely detected in kidney and lung. Induced during adipose conversion of 3T3-L1 cells. Up-regulated in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by troglitazone which stimulates PPARG expression during differentiation. Down-regulated in 3T3-L1 adipocytes exposed to TNF-alpha and to retinoic acid. Belongs to the adipogenin family.