MRG15 orchestrates rhythmic epigenomic remodelling and controls hepatic lipid metabolism

Nat Metab. 2020 May;2(5):447-460. doi: 10.1038/s42255-020-0203-z. Epub 2020 May 4.

Abstract

The rhythmic regulation of transcriptional processes is intimately linked to lipid homeostasis, to anticipate daily changes in energy access. The Rev-erbα-HDAC3 complex was previously discovered to execute the rhythmic repression of lipid genes; however, the epigenetic switch that turns on these genes is less clear. Here, we show that genomic recruitment of MRG15, which is encoded by the mortality factor on chromosome 4 (MORF4)-related gene on chromosome 15, displays a significant diurnal rhythm and activates lipid genes in the mouse liver. RNA polymerase II (Pol II) recruitment and histone acetylation correspond to MRG15 binding, and the rhythm is impaired upon MRG15 depletion, establishing MRG15 as a key modulator in global rhythmic transcriptional regulation. MRG15 interacts with the nuclear receptor LRH-1, rather than with known core clock proteins, and is recruited to genomic loci near lipid genes via LRH-1. Blocking of MRG15 by CRISPR targeting or by the FDA-approved drug argatroban, which is an antagonist to MRG15, attenuates liver steatosis. This work highlights MRG15 as a targetable master regulator in the rhythmic regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arginine / analogs & derivatives
  • Arginine / pharmacology
  • Arginine / therapeutic use
  • Cell Line
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / genetics*
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / metabolism*
  • Circadian Rhythm
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / drug effects
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / genetics*
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / physiology*
  • Epigenomics
  • Fatty Liver / drug therapy
  • Glucose Tolerance Test
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lipid Metabolism / drug effects
  • Lipid Metabolism / genetics*
  • Lipid Metabolism / physiology*
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Pipecolic Acids / pharmacology
  • Pipecolic Acids / therapeutic use
  • RNA Polymerase II / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / genetics
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / metabolism
  • Sulfonamides / pharmacology
  • Sulfonamides / therapeutic use
  • Trans-Activators / genetics*
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism*

Substances

  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
  • Histones
  • MRG15 protein, mouse
  • Nr5a2 protein, mouse
  • Pipecolic Acids
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • Sulfonamides
  • Trans-Activators
  • Arginine
  • RNA Polymerase II
  • argatroban