LEPROT and LEPROTL1 cooperatively decrease hepatic growth hormone action in mice

J Clin Invest. 2009 Dec;119(12):3830-8. doi: 10.1172/JCI34997. Epub 2009 Nov 9.

Abstract

Growth hormone (GH) is a major metabolic regulator that functions by stimulating lipolysis, preventing protein catabolism, and decreasing insulin-dependent glucose disposal. Modulation of hepatic sensitivity to GH and the downstream effects on the GH/IGF1 axis are important events in the regulation of metabolism in response to variations in food availability. For example, during periods of reduced nutrient availability, the liver becomes resistant to GH actions. However, the mechanisms controlling hepatic GH resistance are currently unknown. Here, we investigated the role of 2 tetraspanning membrane proteins, leptin receptor overlapping transcript (LEPROT; also known as OB-RGRP) and LEPROT-like 1 (LEPROTL1), in controlling GH sensitivity. Transgenic mice expressing either human LEPROT or human LEPROTL1 displayed growth retardation, reduced plasma IGF1 levels, and impaired hepatic sensitivity to GH, as measured by STAT5 phosphorylation and Socs2 mRNA expression. These phenotypes were accentuated in transgenic mice expressing both proteins. Moreover, gene silencing of either endogenous Leprot or Leprotl1 in H4IIE hepatocytes increased GH signaling and enhanced cell-surface GH receptor. Importantly, we found that both LEPROT and LEPROTL1 expression were regulated in the mouse liver by physiologic and pathologic changes in glucose homeostasis. Together, these data provide evidence that LEPROT and LEPROTL1 influence liver GH signaling and that regulation of the genes encoding these proteins may constitute a molecular link between nutritional signals and GH actions on body growth and metabolism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / genetics
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / metabolism
  • Fasting / metabolism
  • Female
  • Growth Hormone / metabolism
  • Growth Hormone / pharmacology*
  • Hepatocytes / drug effects
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Liver / drug effects*
  • Liver / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Receptors, Somatotropin / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • STAT5 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • LEPROT protein, human
  • Obrgrp protein, mouse
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Somatotropin
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • STAT5 Transcription Factor
  • Socs2 protein, mouse
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins
  • Growth Hormone