RNA sequencing of db/db mice liver identifies lncRNA H19 as a key regulator of gluconeogenesis and hepatic glucose output

Sci Rep. 2017 Aug 16;7(1):8312. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-08281-7.

Abstract

Liver plays a key role in maintaining glucose homeostasis and impaired hepatic glucose metabolism is associated with type 2 diabetes. In the present study, we used RNA sequencing to profile the transcriptome of the livers of diabetic db/db mice as compared to the normal db/+ mice and identified 218 differentially expressed genes. Amongst these, there were 3 lncRNAs that were significantly downregulated and H19 was the most altered lncRNA in the livers of db/db mice. H19 expression significantly correlated with the expression of genes of the glycolysis and gluconeogenesis pathways, which suggest that altered hepatic H19 levels can directly or indirectly modulate their expression. Inhibition of H19 using specific siRNA in HepG2 cells and primary mouse hepatocytes significantly increased the levels of gluconeogenic genes. This was subsequently accompanied by increased hepatic glucose output. Further,H19 depletion in HepG2 cells impaired insulin signaling and increased nuclear localization of FoxO1, an important transcriptional regulator of gluconeogenic gene expression. Our results reveal a novel link between decreased H19 levels and impaired gluconeogenesis via regulation of FoxO1 nuclear levels. These put forth interesting observations on the regulatory role of H19 in altering hepatic physiology during diabetes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Forkhead Box Protein O1 / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Gluconeogenesis / genetics*
  • Glucose / metabolism*
  • Glycolysis
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Insulin / metabolism
  • Liver / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Protein Transport
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / genetics*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transcriptome

Substances

  • Forkhead Box Protein O1
  • H19 long non-coding RNA
  • Insulin
  • RNA, Long Noncoding
  • Glucose