Dual modulation of both lipid oxidation and synthesis by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1alpha and -1beta in cultured myotubes.

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 (PGC-1) family is a key regulator of mitochondrial function, and reduced mRNA expression may contribute to muscle lipid accumulation in obesity and type 2 diabetes. To characterize the effects of PGC-1 on lipid metabolism, we overexpressed PGC-1alpha and PGC-1beta in C2C12 myotubes using adenoviral vectors. Both PGC-1alpha and -1beta increased palmitate oxidation [31% (P<0.01) and 26% (P<0.05), respectively] despite reductions in cellular uptake [by 6% (P<0.05) and 21% (P<0.001)]. Moreover, PGC-1alpha and -1beta increased mRNA expression of genes regulating both lipid oxidation (e.g., CPT1b and ACADL/M) and synthesis (FAS, CS, ACC1/2, and DGAT1). To determine the net effect, we assessed lipid composition in PGC-1-expressing cells. Total lipid content decreased by 42% in palmitate-loaded serum-starved cells overexpressing PGC-1alpha (P<0.05). In contrast, in serum-replete cells, total lipid content was not significantly altered, but fatty acids C14:0, C16:0, C18:0, and C18:1 were increased 2- to 4-fold for PGC-1alpha/beta (P<0.05). Stable isotope-based dynamic metabolic profiling in serum-replete cells labeled with (13)C substrates revealed both increased de novo fatty acid synthesis from glucose and increased fatty acid synthesis by chain elongation with either PGC-1alpha or -1beta expression. These results indicate that PGC-1 can promote both lipid oxidation and synthesis, with net balance determined by the nutrient/hormonal environment.-Espinoza, D. O., Boros, L. G., Crunkhorn, S., Gami, H., Patti, M.-E. Dual Modulation of both lipid oxidation and synthesis by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1alpha and -1beta in cultured myotubes.

Peroxisome proliferator activator receptor gamma coactivator-1 expression is reduced in obesity: potential pathogenic role of saturated fatty acids and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation.

Peroxisome proliferator activator receptor-gamma coactivator 1 (PGC-1) is a major candidate gene for diabetes-related metabolic phenotypes, contributing to decreased expression of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes in muscle and adipose tissue. We have demonstrated that muscle expression of PGC-1alpha and -beta is reduced in both genetic (Lep(ob)/Lep(ob)) and acquired obesity (high fat diet). In C57BL6 mice, muscle PGC-1alpha expression decreased by 43% (p < 0.02) after 1 week of a high fat diet and persisted more than 11 weeks. In contrast, PGC-1alpha reductions were not sustained in obesity-resistant A/J mice. To identify mediators of obesity-linked reductions in PGC-1, we tested the effects of cellular nutrients in C2C12 myotubes. Although overnight exposure to high insulin, glucose, glucosamine, or amino acids had no effect, saturated fatty acids potently reduced PGC-1alpha and -beta mRNA expression. Palmitate decreased PGC-1alpha and -beta expression by 38% (p = 0.01) and 53% (p = 0.006); stearate similarly decreased expression of PGC-1alpha and -beta by 22% (p = 0.02) and 39% (p = 0.02). These effects were mediated at a transcriptional level, as indicated by an 11-fold reduction of PGC-1alpha promoter activity by palmitate and reversal of effects by histone deacetylase inhibition. Palmitate also (a) reduced expression of tricarboxylic acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation mitochondrial genes and (b) reduced oxygen consumption. These effects were reversed by overexpression of PGC-1alpha or -beta, indicating PGC-1 dependence. Palmitate effects also required p38 MAPK, as demonstrated by 1) palmitate-induced increase in p38 MAPK phosphorylation, 2) reversal of palmitate effects on PGC-1 and mitochondrial gene expression by p38 MAPK inhibitors, and 3) reversal of palmitate effects by small interfering RNA-mediated decreases in p38alpha MAPK. These data indicate that obesity and saturated fatty acids decrease PGC-1 and mitochondrial gene expression and function via p38 MAPK-dependent transcriptional pathways.

Necdin and E2F4 are modulated by rosiglitazone therapy in diabetic human adipose and muscle tissue.

To identify novel pathways mediating molecular mechanisms of thiazolidinediones (TZDs) in humans, we assessed gene expression in adipose and muscle tissue from six subjects with type 2 diabetes before and after 8 weeks of treatment with rosiglitazone. mRNA was analyzed using Total Gene Expression Analysis (TOGA), an automated restriction-based cDNA display method with quantitative analysis of PCR products. The expression of cell cycle regulatory transcription factors E2F4 and the MAGE protein necdin were similarly altered in all subjects after rosiglitazone treatment. E2F4 expression was decreased by 10-fold in muscle and 2.5-fold in adipose tissue; necdin was identified in adipose tissue only and increased 1.8-fold after TZD treatment. To determine whether changes were related to an effect of the drug or adipogenesis, we evaluated the impact of rosiglitazone and differentiation independently in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. While treatment of differentiated adipocytes with rosiglitazone did not alter E2F4 or necdin, expression of both genes was significantly altered during differentiation. Differentiation was associated with increased cytosolic localization of E2F4. Moreover, necdin overexpression potently inhibited adipocyte differentiation and cell cycle progression. These data suggest that changes in necdin and E2F4 expression after rosiglitazone exposure in humans are associated with altered adipocyte differentiation and may contribute to improved insulin sensitivity in humans treated with TZDs.