Hepatic Crtc2 controls whole body energy metabolism via a miR-34a-Fgf21 axis

Nat Commun. 2017 Nov 30;8(1):1878. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-01878-6.

Abstract

Liver plays a crucial role in controlling energy homeostasis in mammals, although the exact mechanism by which it influences other peripheral tissues has yet to be addressed. Here we show that Creb regulates transcriptional co-activator (Crtc) 2 is a major regulator of whole-body energy metabolism. Crtc2 liver-specific knockout lowers blood glucose levels with improved glucose and insulin tolerance. Liver-specific knockout mice display increased energy expenditure with smaller lipid droplets in adipose depots. Both plasma and hepatic Fgf21 levels are increased in Crtc2 liver-specific knockout mice, as a result of the reduced miR-34a expression regulated by Creb/Crtc2 and the induction of Sirt1 and Pparα. Ectopic expression of miR-34a reverses the metabolic changes in knockout liver. We suggest that Creb/Crtc2 negatively regulates the Sirt1/Pparα/Fgf21 axis via the induction of miR-34a under diet-induced obesity and insulin-resistant conditions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / metabolism
  • Energy Metabolism*
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Insulin Resistance*
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Mice, Knockout
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Obesity / metabolism*
  • PPAR alpha / metabolism
  • Sirtuin 1 / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • CREB1 protein, human
  • CRTC2 protein, human
  • Creb1 protein, mouse
  • Crtc2 protein, mouse
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein
  • MIRN34 microRNA, human
  • MIRN34a microRNA, mouse
  • MicroRNAs
  • PPAR alpha
  • Transcription Factors
  • fibroblast growth factor 21
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors
  • SIRT1 protein, human
  • Sirt1 protein, mouse
  • Sirtuin 1