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Vestal KA, Kattamuri C, Koyiloth M, Ongaro L, Howard JA, Deaton AM, Ticau S, Dubey A, Bernard DJ, Thompson TB. Activin E is a transforming growth factor β ligand that signals specifically through activin receptor-like kinase 7. Biochem J 2024; 481:547-564. [PMID: 38533769 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20230404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Activins are one of the three distinct subclasses within the greater Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) superfamily. First discovered for their critical roles in reproductive biology, activins have since been shown to alter cellular differentiation and proliferation. At present, members of the activin subclass include activin A (ActA), ActB, ActC, ActE, and the more distant members myostatin and GDF11. While the biological roles and signaling mechanisms of most activins class members have been well-studied, the signaling potential of ActE has remained largely unknown. Here, we characterized the signaling capacity of homodimeric ActE. Molecular modeling of the ligand:receptor complexes showed that ActC and ActE shared high similarity in both the type I and type II receptor binding epitopes. ActE signaled specifically through ALK7, utilized the canonical activin type II receptors, ActRIIA and ActRIIB, and was resistant to the extracellular antagonists follistatin and WFIKKN. In mature murine adipocytes, ActE invoked a SMAD2/3 response via ALK7, like ActC. Collectively, our results establish ActE as a specific signaling ligand which activates the type I receptor, ALK7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kylie A Vestal
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, U.S.A
| | - Chandramohan Kattamuri
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, U.S.A
| | - Muhasin Koyiloth
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, U.S.A
| | - Luisina Ongaro
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Centre for Research in Reproduction and Development, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - James A Howard
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, U.S.A
| | | | | | - Aditi Dubey
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA, U.S.A
| | - Daniel J Bernard
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Centre for Research in Reproduction and Development, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Thomas B Thompson
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, U.S.A
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Kentistou KA, Lim BEM, Kaisinger LR, Steinthorsdottir V, Sharp LN, Patel KA, Tragante V, Hawkes G, Gardner EJ, Olafsdottir T, Wood AR, Zhao Y, Thorleifsson G, Day FR, Ozanne SE, Hattersley AT, O'Rahilly S, Stefansson K, Ong KK, Beaumont RN, Perry JRB, Freathy RM. Rare variant associations with birth weight identify genes involved in adipose tissue regulation, placental function and insulin-like growth factor signalling. medRxiv 2024:2024.04.03.24305248. [PMID: 38633783 PMCID: PMC11023655 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.03.24305248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Investigating the genetic factors influencing human birth weight may lead to biological insights into fetal growth and long-term health. Genome-wide association studies of birth weight have highlighted associated variants in more than 200 regions of the genome, but the causal genes are mostly unknown. Rare genetic variants with robust evidence of association are more likely to point to causal genes, but to date, only a few rare variants are known to influence birth weight. We aimed to identify genes that harbour rare variants that impact birth weight when carried by either the fetus or the mother, by analysing whole exome sequence data in UK Biobank participants. We annotated rare (minor allele frequency <0.1%) protein-truncating or high impact missense variants on whole exome sequence data in up to 234,675 participants with data on their own birth weight (fetal variants), and up to 181,883 mothers who reported the birth weight of their first child (maternal variants). Variants within each gene were collapsed to perform gene burden tests and for each associated gene, we compared the observed fetal and maternal effects. We identified 8 genes with evidence of rare fetal variant effects on birth weight, of which 2 also showed maternal effects. One additional gene showed evidence of maternal effects only. We observed 10/11 directionally concordant associations in an independent sample of up to 45,622 individuals (sign test P=0.01). Of the genes identified, IGF1R and PAPPA2 (fetal and maternal-acting) have known roles in insulin-like growth factor bioavailability and signalling. PPARG, INHBE and ACVR1C (all fetal-acting) have known roles in adipose tissue regulation and rare variants in the latter two also showed associations with favourable adiposity patterns in adults. We highlight the dual role of PPARG in both adipocyte differentiation and placental angiogenesis. NOS3, NRK, and ADAMTS8 (fetal and maternal-acting) have been implicated in both placental function and hypertension. Analysis of rare coding variants has identified regulators of fetal adipose tissue and fetoplacental angiogenesis as determinants of birth weight, as well as further evidence for the role of insulin-like growth factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Kentistou
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Box 285 Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Brandon E M Lim
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Lena R Kaisinger
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Box 285 Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | | | - Luke N Sharp
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Kashyap A Patel
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | | | - Gareth Hawkes
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Eugene J Gardner
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Box 285 Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | | | - Andrew R Wood
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Yajie Zhao
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Box 285 Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | | | - Felix R Day
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Box 285 Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Susan E Ozanne
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Andrew T Hattersley
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Stephen O'Rahilly
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Kari Stefansson
- deCODE genetics/Amgen, Inc., 102 Reykjavik, Iceland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Ken K Ong
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Box 285 Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Robin N Beaumont
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - John R B Perry
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Box 285 Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Rachel M Freathy
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
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Du R, Wen L, Niu M, Zhao L, Guan X, Yang J, Zhang C, Liu H. Activin receptors in human cancer: Functions, mechanisms, and potential clinical applications. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 222:116061. [PMID: 38369212 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Activins are members of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily and act as key regulators in various physiological processes, such as follicle and embryonic development, as well as in multiple human diseases, including cancer. They have been established to signal through three type I and two type II serine/threonine kinase receptors, which, upon ligand binding, form a final signal-transducing receptor complex that activates downstream signaling and governs gene expression. Recent research highlighted the dysregulation of the expression or activity of activin receptors in multiple human cancers and their critical involvement in cancer progression. Furthermore, expression levels of activin receptors have been associated with clinicopathological features and patient outcomes across different cancers. However, there is currently a paucity of comprehensive systematic reviews of activin receptors in cancer. Thus, this review aimed to consolidate existing knowledge concerning activin receptors, with a primary emphasis on their signaling cascade and emerging biological functions, regulatory mechanisms, and potential clinical applications in human cancers in order to provide novel perspectives on cancer prognosis and targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruochen Du
- First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China; Department of Laboratory Animal Center, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China
| | - Liqi Wen
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China; Shanxi Province Clinical Medical Research Center for Precision Medicine of Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China
| | - Min Niu
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China; Shanxi Province Clinical Medical Research Center for Precision Medicine of Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China
| | - Liting Zhao
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China; Shanxi Province Clinical Medical Research Center for Precision Medicine of Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China
| | - Xiaoya Guan
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China; Shanxi Province Clinical Medical Research Center for Precision Medicine of Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China
| | - Jiao Yang
- Department of Anatomy, the Basic Medical School of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China
| | - Chunming Zhang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China; Shanxi Province Clinical Medical Research Center for Precision Medicine of Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China; Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China.
| | - Hongliang Liu
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China; Shanxi Province Clinical Medical Research Center for Precision Medicine of Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China; First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China; Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, the Basic Medical School of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China.
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Tangseefa P, Jin H, Zhang H, Xie M, Ibáñez CF. Human ACVR1C missense variants that correlate with altered body fat distribution produce metabolic alterations of graded severity in knock-in mutant mice. Mol Metab 2024; 81:101890. [PMID: 38307384 PMCID: PMC10863331 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2024.101890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Genome-wide studies have identified three missense variants in the human gene ACVR1C, encoding the TGF-β superfamily receptor ALK7, that correlate with altered waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (WHR/BMI), a measure of body fat distribution. METHODS To move from correlation to causation and understand the effects of these variants on fat accumulation and adipose tissue function, we introduced each of the variants in the mouse Acvr1c locus and investigated metabolic phenotypes in comparison with a null mutation. RESULTS Mice carrying the I195T variant showed resistance to high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity, increased catecholamine-induced adipose tissue lipolysis and impaired ALK7 signaling, phenocopying the null mutants. Mice with the I482V variant displayed an intermediate phenotype, with partial resistance to HFD-induced obesity, reduction in subcutaneous, but not visceral, fat mass, decreased systemic lipolysis and reduced ALK7 signaling. Surprisingly, mice carrying the N150H variant were metabolically indistinguishable from wild type under HFD, although ALK7 signaling was reduced at low ligand concentrations. CONCLUSION Together, these results validate ALK7 as an attractive drug target in human obesity and suggest a lower threshold for ALK7 function in humans compared to mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawanrat Tangseefa
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, 102206 Beijing, China; Peking University School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, 100871 Beijing, China; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Jin
- Peking University School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, 100871 Beijing, China; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Houyu Zhang
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, 102206 Beijing, China; Peking University School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Meng Xie
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China; Peking University School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, 100871 Beijing, China; Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge 14157, Sweden
| | - Carlos F Ibáñez
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, 102206 Beijing, China; Peking University School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, 100871 Beijing, China; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China; Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm 17177, Sweden; Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study, Wallenberg Research Centre at Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa.
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Nunn E, Jaiswal N, Gavin M, Uehara K, Stefkovich M, Drareni K, Calhoun R, Lee M, Holman CD, Baur JA, Seale P, Titchenell PM. Antibody blockade of activin type II receptors preserves skeletal muscle mass and enhances fat loss during GLP-1 receptor agonism. Mol Metab 2024; 80:101880. [PMID: 38218536 PMCID: PMC10832506 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2024.101880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists reduce food intake, producing remarkable weight loss in overweight and obese individuals. While much of this weight loss is fat mass, there is also a loss of lean mass, similar to other approaches that induce calorie deficit. Targeting signaling pathways that regulate skeletal muscle hypertrophy is a promising avenue to preserve lean mass and modulate body composition. Myostatin and Activin A are TGFβ-like ligands that signal via the activin type II receptors (ActRII) to antagonize muscle growth. Pre-clinical and clinical studies demonstrate that ActRII blockade induces skeletal muscle hypertrophy and reduces fat mass. In this manuscript, we test the hypothesis that combined ActRII blockade and GLP-1 receptor agonism will preserve muscle mass, leading to improvements in skeletomuscular and metabolic function and enhanced fat loss. METHODS In this study, we explore the therapeutic potential of bimagrumab, a monoclonal antibody against ActRII, to modify body composition alone and during weight loss induced by GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide in diet-induced obese mice. Mechanistically, we define the specific role of the anabolic kinase Akt in mediating the hypertrophic muscle effects of ActRII inhibition in vivo. RESULTS Treatment of obese mice with bimagrumab induced a ∼10 % increase in lean mass while simultaneously decreasing fat mass. Daily treatment of obese mice with semaglutide potently decreased body weight; this included a significant decrease in both muscle and fat mass. Combination treatment with bimagrumab and semaglutide led to superior fat mass loss while simultaneously preserving lean mass despite reduced food intake. Treatment with both drugs was associated with improved metabolic outcomes, and increased lean mass was associated with improved exercise performance. Deletion of both Akt isoforms in skeletal muscle modestly reduced, but did not prevent, muscle hypertrophy driven by ActRII inhibition. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, these data demonstrate that blockade of ActRII signaling improves body composition and metabolic parameters during calorie deficit driven by GLP-1 receptor agonism and demonstrate the existence of Akt-independent pathways supporting muscle hypertrophy in the absence of ActRII signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Nunn
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Natasha Jaiswal
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Matthew Gavin
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kahealani Uehara
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Megan Stefkovich
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Karima Drareni
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ryan Calhoun
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michelle Lee
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Corey D Holman
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joseph A Baur
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Patrick Seale
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Paul M Titchenell
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Zhong S, Du X, Gao J, Ji G, Liu Z. BMP8B Activates Both SMAD2/3 and NF-κB Signals to Inhibit the Differentiation of 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes into Mature Adipocytes. Nutrients 2023; 16:64. [PMID: 38201894 PMCID: PMC10780770 DOI: 10.3390/nu16010064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic protein 8B (BMP8B) has been found to regulate the thermogenesis of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and the browning process of white adipose tissue (WAT). However, there is no available information regarding the role of BMP8B in the process of adipocyte differentiation. Here, we showed that BMP8B down-regulates transcriptional regulators PPARγ and C/EBPα, thereby impeding the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes into fully mature adipocytes. BMP8B increased the phosphorylation levels of SMAD2/3, and TP0427736 HCl (SMAD2/3 inhibitor) significantly reduced the ability of BMP8B to inhibit adipocyte differentiation, suggesting that BMP8B repressed adipocyte differentiation through the SMAD2/3 pathway. Moreover, the knockdown of BMP I receptor ALK4 significantly reduced the inhibitory effect of BMP8B on adipogenesis, indicating that BMP8B triggers SMAD2/3 signaling to suppress adipogenesis via ALK4. In addition, BMP8B activated the NF-κB signal, which has been demonstrated to impede PPARγ expression. Collectively, our data demonstrated that BMP8B activates both SMAD2/3 and NF-κB signals to inhibit adipocyte differentiation. We provide previously unidentified insight into BMP8B-mediated adipogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenjie Zhong
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; (S.Z.); (X.D.); (J.G.); (G.J.)
| | - Xueqing Du
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; (S.Z.); (X.D.); (J.G.); (G.J.)
| | - Jing Gao
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; (S.Z.); (X.D.); (J.G.); (G.J.)
| | - Guangdong Ji
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; (S.Z.); (X.D.); (J.G.); (G.J.)
- Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Zhenhui Liu
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; (S.Z.); (X.D.); (J.G.); (G.J.)
- Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao 266237, China
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Cho CH, Patel S, Rajbhandari P. Adipose tissue lipid metabolism: lipolysis. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2023; 83:102114. [PMID: 37738733 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2023.102114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
White adipose tissue stores fatty acid (FA) as triglyceride in the lipid droplet organelle of highly specialized cells known as fat cells or adipocytes. Depending on the nutritional state and energy demand, hormonal and biochemical signals converge on activating an elegant and fundamental process known as lipolysis, which involves triglyceride hydrolysis to FAs. Almost six decades of work have vastly expanded our knowledge of lipolysis from enzymatic processes to complex protein assembly, disassembly, and post-translational modification. Research in recent decades ushered in the discovery of new lipolytic enzymes and coregulators and the characterization of numerous factors and signaling pathways that regulate lipid hydrolysis on transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. This review will discuss recent developments with particular emphasis on the past two years in enzymatic lipolytic pathways and transcriptional regulation of lipolysis. We will summarize the positive and negative regulators of lipolysis, the adipose tissue microenvironment in lipolysis, and the systemic effects of lipolysis. The dynamic nature of adipocyte lipolysis is emerging as an essential regulator of metabolism and energy balance, and we will discuss recent developments in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung Hwan Cho
- Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sanil Patel
- Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Prashant Rajbhandari
- Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism Institute, Department of Endocrinology and Bone Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place New York, NY 10029 USA.
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Vestal KA, Kattamuri C, Koyiloth M, Ongaro L, Howard JA, Deaton A, Ticau S, Dubey A, Bernard DJ, Thompson TB. Activin E is a TGFβ ligand that signals specifically through activin receptor-like kinase 7. bioRxiv 2023:2023.09.25.559288. [PMID: 37808681 PMCID: PMC10557571 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.25.559288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Activins are one of the three distinct subclasses within the greater Transforming Growth Factor β (TGFβ) superfamily. First discovered for their critical roles in reproductive biology, activins have since been shown to alter cellular differentiation and proliferation. At present, members of the activin subclass include activin A (ActA), ActB, ActC, ActE, and the more distant members myostatin and GDF11. While the biological roles and signaling mechanisms of most activins class members have been well-studied, the signaling potential of ActE has remained largely unknown. Here, we characterized the signaling capacity of homodimeric ActE. Molecular modeling of the ligand:receptor complexes showed that ActC and ActE shared high similarity in both the type I and type II receptor binding epitopes. ActE signaled specifically through ALK7, utilized the canonical activin type II receptors, ActRIIA and ActRIIB, and was resistant to the extracellular antagonists follistatin and WFIKKN. In mature murine adipocytes, ActE invoked a SMAD2/3 response via ALK7, similar to ActC. Collectively, our results establish ActE as an ALK7 ligand, thereby providing a link between genetic and in vivo studies of ActE as a regulator of adipose tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kylie A Vestal
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Chandramohan Kattamuri
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Muhasin Koyiloth
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Luisina Ongaro
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Centre for Research in Reproduction and Development, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - James A Howard
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | | | | | | | - Daniel J Bernard
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Centre for Research in Reproduction and Development, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Thomas B Thompson
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
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