JNK activation of BIM promotes hepatic oxidative stress, steatosis and insulin resistance in obesity
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: The BCL-2 family are crucial regulators of the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis in normal physiology and disease. Besides their role in cell death, BCL-2 proteins have been implicated in the regulation of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and cellular metabolism. However, it remains unclear whether these proteins have a physiological role in glucose homeostasis and metabolism in vivo. Here we report that fat accumulation in the liver increases JNK-dependent BIM expression in hepatocytes. We generated liver-specific BIM knockout (BLKO) mice to determine the consequences of hepatic BIM deficiency in diet-induced obesity. BLKO mice had lower hepatic lipid content, increased insulin signalling and improved global glucose metabolism. Consistent with this, lipogenic and lipid uptake genes were downregulated and lipid oxidation enhanced in obese BLKO mice. Moreover, oxidative stress, oxidation of protein tyrosine phosphatases and activation of PPAR-g/STAT1/CD36 were decreased in livers/hepatocytes from BLKO mice, suggesting a mechanism for their metabolic phenotype. Importantly, adenovirus-mediated knockdown of BIM reduced fat accumulation and improved insulin sensitivity in high fat fed mice. Our data postulate BIM as a novel therapeutic target regulating mitochondrial bioenergetics and liver function in obesity.
Project description:Paracetamol (acetaminophen, APAP) overdose severely damages mitochondria and triggers several apoptotic processes in hepatocytes, but the final outcome is fulminant necrotic cell death, resulting in acute liver failure and mortality. Here, we studied this switch of cell death modes and demonstrate a non-canonical role of the apoptosis-regulating BCL-2 homolog BIM/Bcl2l11 in promoting necrosis by regulating cellular bioenergetics. BIM deficiency enhanced total ATP production and shifted the bioenergetic profile towards glycolysis, resulting in persistent protection from APAP-induced liver injury. Modulation of glucose levels and deletion of mitofusins confirmed that severe APAP toxicity occurs only in cells dependent on oxidative phosphorylation. Glycolytic hepatocytes maintained elevated ATP levels and reduced ROS, which enabled lysosomal recycling of damaged mitochondria by mitophagy. The present study highlights how metabolism and bioenergetics affect drug-induced liver toxicity, and identifies BIM as important regulator of glycolysis, mitochondrial respiration, and oxidative stress signaling.
Project description:Sirtuins are a family of protein deacetylases, deacylases, and ADP-ribosyltransferases that regulate life span, control the onset of numerous age-associated diseases, and mediate metabolic homeostasis. We have uncovered a novel role for the mitochondrial sirtuin SIRT4 in the regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism during changes in nutrient availability. We show that SIRT4 levels decrease in the liver during fasting and that SIRT4 null mice display increased expression of hepatic peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR ) target genes associated with fatty acid catabolism. Accordingly, primary hepatocytes from SIRT4 knockout (KO) mice exhibit higher rates of fatty acid oxidation than wild-type hepatocytes, and SIRT4 overexpression decreases fatty acid oxidation rates. The enhanced fatty acid oxidation observed in SIRT4 KO hepatocytes requires functional SIRT1, demonstrating a clear cross talk between mitochondrial and nuclear sirtuins. Thus, SIRT4 is a new component of mitochondrial signaling in the liver and functions as an important regulator of lipid metabolism. SIRT4 knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) littermates (male; n 6 per genotype; 7- to 8-month-old littermates) were sacrificed after a 16-h overnight fast. Samples were individually hybridized on Affymetrix Mouse Genome 430 2.0 GeneChips by the Biopolymers Facility (Harvard Medical School).
Project description:Sirtuins are a family of protein deacetylases, deacylases, and ADP-ribosyltransferases that regulate life span, control the onset of numerous age-associated diseases, and mediate metabolic homeostasis. We have uncovered a novel role for the mitochondrial sirtuin SIRT4 in the regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism during changes in nutrient availability. We show that SIRT4 levels decrease in the liver during fasting and that SIRT4 null mice display increased expression of hepatic peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR ) target genes associated with fatty acid catabolism. Accordingly, primary hepatocytes from SIRT4 knockout (KO) mice exhibit higher rates of fatty acid oxidation than wild-type hepatocytes, and SIRT4 overexpression decreases fatty acid oxidation rates. The enhanced fatty acid oxidation observed in SIRT4 KO hepatocytes requires functional SIRT1, demonstrating a clear cross talk between mitochondrial and nuclear sirtuins. Thus, SIRT4 is a new component of mitochondrial signaling in the liver and functions as an important regulator of lipid metabolism.
Project description:Paracetamol (acetaminophen, APAP) overdose severely damages mitochondria and triggers several apoptotic processes in hepatocytes, but the final outcome is fulminant necrotic cell death, resulting in acute liver failure and mortality. Here, we studied this switch of cell death modes and demonstrate a non-canonical role of the apoptosis-regulating BCL-2 homolog BIM/Bcl2l11 in promoting necrosis by regulating cellular bioenergetics. BIM deficiency enhanced total ATP production and shifted the bioenergetic profile towards glycolysis, resulting in persistent protection from APAP-induced liver injury. Modulation of glucose levels and deletion of mitofusins confirmed that severe APAP toxicity occurs only in cells dependent on oxidative phosphorylation. Glycolytic hepatocytes maintained elevated ATP levels and reduced ROS, which enabled lysosomal recycling of damaged mitochondria by mitophagy. The present study highlights how metabolism and bioenergetics affect drug-induced liver toxicity, and identifies BIM as important regulator of glycolysis, mitochondrial respiration, and oxidative stress signaling.
Project description:Impaired mitochondrial function has been implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes, heart failure and neurodegeneration as well as during aging. Studies with the PGC-1 transcriptional coactivators have demonstrated that these factors are key components of the regulatory network that controls mitochondrial function in mammalian cells. Here we describe a genome-wide coactivation assay to globally identify the transcriptional partners for PGC-1α. These analyses revealed a molecular signature of the PGC-1α transcriptional network, and identified BAF60a (Smarcd1), a subunit of the SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complex, as a critical regulator of lipid homeostasis. Adenoviral-mediated expression of BAF60a stimulates fatty acid β-oxidation in cultured hepatocytes and reduces hepatic triglyceride levels in diet-induced obese mice. BAF60a physically interacts with PGC-1α and is recruited to PPARα target genes in the fasted liver. Liver-specific RNAi knockdown of BAF60a impairs fatty acid oxidation and results in severe hepatic steatosis following starvation. These results define a role for the SWI/SNF complexes in the regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism, and reveal a potential target for therapeutic intervention. Experiment Overall Design: Primary hepatocytes were isolated from C57/Bl6J mice (10 weeks old) and transduced with recombinant adenoviruses expressing GFP or BAF60a for 40 hrs. Total RNA was isolated for array analysis.
Project description:vanEunen2013 - Network dynamics of fatty acid β-oxidation (steady-state model)
Lipid metabolism plays an important role in the development of metabolic syndrome, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. This model gives insights into the response of lipid oxidation to dietart and medical interventions. The model predicts the rate of lipid oxidation and the time course of most acyl carnitines. There are two models described in the paper, (i) steady-state model [ BIOMD0000000505
], (ii) time-course model [ BIOMD0000000506
]. This model corresponds to the steady-state model.
This model is described in the article:
Biochemical competition makes fatty-acid β-oxidation vulnerable to substrate overload.
van Eunen K, Simons SM, Gerding A, Bleeker A, den Besten G, Touw CM, Houten SM, Groen BK, Krab K, Reijngoud DJ, Bakker BM.
PLoS Comput Biol. 2013;9(8):e1003186.
Abstract:
Fatty-acid metabolism plays a key role in acquired and inborn metabolic diseases. To obtain insight into the network dynamics of fatty-acid β-oxidation, we constructed a detailed computational model of the pathway and subjected it to a fat overload condition. The model contains reversible and saturable enzyme-kinetic equations and experimentally determined parameters for rat-liver enzymes. It was validated by adding palmitoyl CoA or palmitoyl carnitine to isolated rat-liver mitochondria: without refitting of measured parameters, the model correctly predicted the β-oxidation flux as well as the time profiles of most acyl-carnitine concentrations. Subsequently, we simulated the condition of obesity by increasing the palmitoyl-CoA concentration. At a high concentration of palmitoyl CoA the β-oxidation became overloaded: the flux dropped and metabolites accumulated. This behavior originated from the competition between acyl CoAs of different chain lengths for a set of acyl-CoA dehydrogenases with overlapping substrate specificity. This effectively induced competitive feedforward inhibition and thereby led to accumulation of CoA-ester intermediates and depletion of free CoA (CoASH). The mitochondrial [NAD⁺]/[NADH] ratio modulated the sensitivity to substrate overload, revealing a tight interplay between regulation of β-oxidation and mitochondrial respiration.
This model is hosted on BioModels Database
and identified
by: BIOMD0000000505
.
To cite BioModels Database, please use: BioModels Database: An enhanced, curated and annotated resource
for published quantitative kinetic models
.
To the extent possible under law, all copyright and related or
neighbouring rights to this encoded model have been dedicated to the public
domain worldwide. Please refer to CC0 Public Domain
Dedication
for more information.
Project description:vanEunen2013 - Network dynamics of fatty acid β-oxidation (time-course model)
Lipid metabolism plays an important role in the development of metabolic syndrome, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. This model gives insights into the response of lipid oxidation to dietart and medical interventions. The model predicts the rate of lipid oxidation and the time course of most acyl carnitines. There are two models described in the paper, (i) steady-state model [ BIOMD0000000505
], (ii) time-course model [ BIOMD0000000506
]. This model corresponds to the time-course model.
This model is described in the article:
Biochemical competition makes fatty-acid β-oxidation vulnerable to substrate overload.
van Eunen K, Simons SM, Gerding A, Bleeker A, den Besten G, Touw CM, Houten SM, Groen BK, Krab K, Reijngoud DJ, Bakker BM.
PLoS Comput Biol. 2013;9(8):e1003186.
Abstract:
Fatty-acid metabolism plays a key role in acquired and inborn metabolic diseases. To obtain insight into the network dynamics of fatty-acid β-oxidation, we constructed a detailed computational model of the pathway and subjected it to a fat overload condition. The model contains reversible and saturable enzyme-kinetic equations and experimentally determined parameters for rat-liver enzymes. It was validated by adding palmitoyl CoA or palmitoyl carnitine to isolated rat-liver mitochondria: without refitting of measured parameters, the model correctly predicted the β-oxidation flux as well as the time profiles of most acyl-carnitine concentrations. Subsequently, we simulated the condition of obesity by increasing the palmitoyl-CoA concentration. At a high concentration of palmitoyl CoA the β-oxidation became overloaded: the flux dropped and metabolites accumulated. This behavior originated from the competition between acyl CoAs of different chain lengths for a set of acyl-CoA dehydrogenases with overlapping substrate specificity. This effectively induced competitive feedforward inhibition and thereby led to accumulation of CoA-ester intermediates and depletion of free CoA (CoASH). The mitochondrial [NAD⁺]/[NADH] ratio modulated the sensitivity to substrate overload, revealing a tight interplay between regulation of β-oxidation and mitochondrial respiration.
This model is hosted on BioModels Database
and identified
by: BIOMD0000000506
.
To cite BioModels Database, please use: BioModels Database: An enhanced, curated and annotated resource
for published quantitative kinetic models
.
To the extent possible under law, all copyright and related or
neighbouring rights to this encoded model have been dedicated to the public
domain worldwide. Please refer to CC0 Public Domain
Dedication
for more information.
Project description:Methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT) enzymes generate SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine), the main biological methyl donor. There are two MAT encoding genes in mammals (Mat1a and Mat2a), which show different activities and cellular distribution. Mat1a encodes the enzyme mainly expressed in normal liver. Mat1a ablation in mice results in the spontaneous development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We observed that SAMe depletion in Mat1a KO mice had three main effects on hepatic lipid metabolism: 1) impaired TG (triglyceride) export via VLDL; 2) impaired mitochondrial FA (fatty acid) oxidation (as evidenced by membrane depolarization, downregulation of Phb1 (prohibitin 1, a mitochondrial chaperone protein) and Mcj/Dnajc15 (endogenous mitochondrial repressor of respiratory chain), and accumulation of long-chain acylcarnitines); and 3) increased FA uptake. The convergence of these three factors induced TG accumulation in LD (lipid droplets). LD expansion confronts hepatocytes with a high demand of PC (phosphatidylcholine) molecules to cover the LD surface since other phospholipids, such as PE (phosphatidylethanolamine), cannot stabilize LD and prevent coalescence. In Mat1a KO this situation is aggravated, since SAMe-dependent PC synthesis via PE methylation is decreased, the PC/PE ratio reduced and mitochondrial FA oxidation impaired. To put a brake to this drain of PC molecules to LD, FA are rerouted in Mat1a KO mice liver to other catabolic (endoplasmic reticulum and peroxisome oxidation) and biosynthetic (ceramides synthesis) pathways, causing oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis. SAMe treatment for two months in 8-9 month old Mat1a KO mice ameliorated mitochondrial dysfunction (reduces membrane depolarization, improves Phb1 and Mcj expression, and increases SAMe transport to mitochondria) improving FA oxidation efficiency (FA and acylcarnitine levels decrease), which results in a drastic reduction in TG accumulation. SAMe treatment in Mat1a KO mice resulted in more PC available for proper membrane function, improving liver lipid homeostasis, histology (H&E, Sudan red, Sirius red) and liver injury (ALT, AST).
Project description:Methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT) enzymes generate SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine), the main biological methyl donor. There are two MAT encoding genes in mammals (Mat1a and Mat2a), which show different activities and cellular distribution. Mat1a encodes the enzyme mainly expressed in normal liver. Mat1a ablation in mice results in the spontaneous development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We observed that SAMe depletion in Mat1a KO mice had three main effects on hepatic lipid metabolism: 1) impaired TG (triglyceride) export via VLDL; 2) impaired mitochondrial FA (fatty acid) oxidation (as evidenced by membrane depolarization, downregulation of Phb1 (prohibitin 1, a mitochondrial chaperone protein) and Mcj/Dnajc15 (endogenous mitochondrial repressor of respiratory chain), and accumulation of long-chain acylcarnitines); and 3) increased FA uptake. The convergence of these three factors induced TG accumulation in LD (lipid droplets). LD expansion confronts hepatocytes with a high demand of PC (phosphatidylcholine) molecules to cover the LD surface since other phospholipids, such as PE (phosphatidylethanolamine), cannot stabilize LD and prevent coalescence. In Mat1a KO this situation is aggravated, since SAMe-dependent PC synthesis via PE methylation is decreased, the PC/PE ratio reduced and mitochondrial FA oxidation impaired. To put a brake to this drain of PC molecules to LD, FA are rerouted in Mat1a KO mice liver to other catabolic (endoplasmic reticulum and peroxisome oxidation) and biosynthetic (ceramides synthesis) pathways, causing oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis. SAMe treatment for two months in 8-9 month old Mat1a KO mice ameliorated mitochondrial dysfunction (reduces membrane depolarization, improves Phb1 and Mcj expression, and increases SAMe transport to mitochondria) improving FA oxidation efficiency (FA and acylcarnitine levels decrease), which results in a drastic reduction in TG accumulation. SAMe treatment in Mat1a KO mice resulted in more PC available for proper membrane function, improving liver lipid homeostasis, histology (H&E, Sudan red, Sirius red) and liver injury (ALT, AST).
Project description:Elevated circulating lipid levels are known risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In order to examine the effects of quercetin on hepatic lipid metabolism and detailed serum lipid profiles, mice received a mild-high-fat diet without (control) or with supplementation of 0.33% (w/w) quercetin for 12 weeks. Gas chromatography and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance were used to measure quantitatively serum lipid profiles and whole genome microarray analysis was used to identify the responsible mechanisms in liver. There were no significant differences found in mean body weight, energy intake and hepatic lipid accumulation between the quercetin and control group. In serum of quercetin-fed mice, TG levels were decreased with 15%, poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were increased with 14% and saturated fatty acids were decreased. Palmitic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid were all decreased in quercetin-fed mice by 9-15%. Both palmitic acid and oleic acid can be oxidized by omega-oxidation. Indeed, gene expression profiling showed that quercetin increased hepatic lipid metabolism, especially omega-oxidation. At the gene level, this was reflected by the up regulation of cytochrome P450 (Cyp) 4a10, Cyp4a14, Cyp4a31 and Acyl-CoA thioesterase 3 (Acot3). Two relevant regulators, Cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (Por, rate limiting for cytochrome P450s) and the transcription factor Constitutive androstane receptor (Car; official symbol Nr1i3) were also up regulated in the quercetin-fed mice. We conclude that quercetin intake increased hepatic lipid omega-oxidation and lowered corresponding circulating lipid levels, a process that may involve Por and Car, and results in a potential beneficial CVD preventive effect. Liver samples were obtained from 36 C57BL/6J male adult mice. All mice started with a three week adaptation phase, in which they were fed a mild-high-fat diet. 12 mice were sacrificed immediately after the adaptation phase (t=0). The other 24 mice received the mild-high-fat diet without (HF) or with supplementation of 0.33% (w/w) quercetin (HF-Q) for 12 weeks.