LRH-1-dependent glucose sensing determines intermediary metabolism in liver

J Clin Invest. 2012 Aug;122(8):2817-26. doi: 10.1172/JCI62368. Epub 2012 Jul 9.

Abstract

Liver receptor homolog 1 (LRH-1), an established regulator of cholesterol and bile acid homeostasis, has recently emerged as a potential drug target for liver disease. Although LRH-1 activation may protect the liver against diet-induced steatosis and insulin resistance, little is known about how LRH-1 controls hepatic glucose and fatty acid metabolism under physiological conditions. We therefore assessed the role of LRH-1 in hepatic intermediary metabolism. In mice with conditional deletion of Lrh1 in liver, analysis of hepatic glucose fluxes revealed reduced glucokinase (GCK) and glycogen synthase fluxes as compared with those of wild-type littermates. These changes were attributed to direct transcriptional regulation of Gck by LRH-1. Impaired glucokinase-mediated glucose phosphorylation in LRH-1-deficient livers was also associated with reduced glycogen synthesis, glycolysis, and de novo lipogenesis in response to acute and prolonged glucose exposure. Accordingly, hepatic carbohydrate response element-binding protein activity was reduced in these animals. Cumulatively, these data identify LRH-1 as a key regulatory component of the hepatic glucose-sensing system required for proper integration of postprandial glucose and lipid metabolism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors
  • Glucokinase / genetics
  • Glucokinase / metabolism
  • Glucose / metabolism*
  • Glycogen Synthase / metabolism
  • Glycolysis
  • Lipid Metabolism
  • Liver / metabolism*
  • Liver Glycogen / biosynthesis
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Models, Biological
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / deficiency
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / genetics
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors
  • Liver Glycogen
  • Mlxipl protein, mouse
  • Nr5a2 protein, mouse
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • Transcription Factors
  • Glycogen Synthase
  • Glucokinase
  • Glucose