Regulation of cold-induced thermogenesis by the RNA binding protein FAM195A.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Homeothermic vertebrates produce heat in cold environments through thermogenesis, in which brown adipose tissue (BAT) increases mitochondrial oxidation along with uncoupling of the electron transport chain and activation of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). Although the transcription factors regulating the expression of UCP1 and nutrient oxidation genes have been extensively studied, only a few other proteins essential for BAT function have been identified. We describe the discovery of FAM195A, a BAT-enriched RNA binding protein, which is required for cold-dependent thermogenesis in mice. FAM195A knockout (KO) mice display whitening of BAT and an inability to thermoregulate. In BAT of FAM195A KO mice, enzymes involved in branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism are down-regulated, impairing their response to cold. Knockdown of FAM195A in brown adipocytes in vitro also impairs expression of leucine oxidation enzymes, revealing FAM195A to be a regulator of BCAA metabolism and a potential target for metabolic disorders.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Cannavino, J; Shao, M; An, YA; Bezprozvannaya, S; Chen, S; Kim, J; Xu, L; McAnally, JR; Scherer, PE; Liu, N; Gupta, RK; Bassel-Duby, R; Olson, EN
Published Date
- June 8, 2021
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 118 / 23
PubMed ID
- 34088848
Pubmed Central ID
- PMC8201964
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1091-6490
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1073/pnas.2104650118
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States