The invention provides methods and compositions relating to molecular targets identified as being capable of increasing or decreasing thermogenic potential in cells, including preadipocytes. Included in the invention are methods and compositions relating to inhibiting or suppressing the activity of an uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) negative regulator, such as cardiac actin 1 (ACTC1), somatostatin receptor 1 (SSTR1), FAT atypical cadherin 1 (FAT1), and protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type B (PTPRB). Also included in the invention are methods and compositions relating to activating a UCP1 positive regulator, such as phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-triphosphate-dependent Rac exchange factor 1 (PREX1), cortactin binding protein 2 (CTTNBP2), doublesex and mab-3-related transcription factor-like family A1 (DMRTA1), and endothelin receptor type B (ENDRB). The invention also provides methods and compositions relating to enrichment of cells having thermogenic potential based on cell surface markers, e.g., CD29, identified as being predictive of such.