C/EBP alpha helps regulate terminal adipocyte differentiation by turning on fat-specific genes required for the synthesis, uptake, and storage of long chain fatty acids. Studies have shown that C/EBP delta and C/EBP beta play an early catalytic role in the differentiation pathway, relaying the effects of the hormonal stimulants DEX and MIX in a cascade-like fashion, leading to the activation of the gene encoding C/EBP alpha.