Myostatin regulates energy homeostasis through autocrine- and paracrine-mediated microenvironment communications.

Myostatin (MSTN) has long been recognized as a critical regulator of muscle mass. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in its role in metabolism. In our study, we specifically knocked out MSTN in brown adipose tissue (BAT) from mice (MSTNΔUCP1) and found that the mice gained more weight than controls when fed a high-fat diet, with progressive hepatosteatosis and impaired skeletal muscle activity. RNA-seq analysis indicated signatures of mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammation in the MSTN-ablation BAT. Further studies demonstrated that the the Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) was responsible for the metabolic phenotypes observed, while FGF21 contributed to the microenvironment communication between adipocytes and macrophages induced by the loss of MSTN. Moreover, the MSTN-SMAD2/3-p38 signaling pathway mediated the expression of KLF4 and FGF21 in adipocytes. In summary, our findings suggest that brown adipocytes-derived MSTN regulates BAT thermogenesis via autocrine and paracrine effects on adipocytes or macrophages, ultimately regulating systemic energy homeostasis.

Skeletal muscle-specific DJ-1 ablation-induced atrogenes expression and mitochondrial dysfunction contributing to muscular atrophy.

BACKGROUND: DJ-1 is a causative gene for Parkinson's disease. DJ-1-deficient mice develop gait-associated progressive behavioural abnormalities and hypoactive forearm grip strength. However, underlying activity mechanisms are not fully explored. METHODS: Western blotting and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction approaches were adopted to analyse DJ-1 expression in skeletal muscle from aged humans or mice and compared with young subjects. Skeletal muscle-specific-DJ-1 knockout (MDKO) mice were generated, followed by an assessment of the physical activity phenotypes (grip strength, maximal load capacity, and hanging, rotarod, and exercise capacity tests) of the MDKO and control mice on the chow diet. Muscular atrophy phenotypes (cross-sectional area and fibre types) were determined by imaging and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Mitochondrial function and skeletal muscle morphology were evaluated by oxygen consumption rate and electron microscopy, respectively. Tail suspension was applied to address disuse atrophy. RNA-seq analysis was performed to indicate molecular changes in muscles with DJ-1 ablation. Dual-luciferase reporter assays were employed to identify the promoter region of Trim63 and Fbxo32 genes, which were indirectly regulated by DJ-1 via the FoxO1 pathway. Cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions of DJ-1-deleted muscle cells were analysed by western blotting. Compound 23 was administered into the gastrocnemius muscle to mimic the of DJ-1 deletion effects. RESULTS: DJ-1 expression decreased in atrophied muscles of aged human (young men, n = 2; old with aged men, n = 2; young women, n = 2; old with aged women, n = 2) and immobilization mice (n = 6, P < 0.01). MDKO mice exhibited no body weight difference compared with control mice on the chow diet (Flox, n = 8; MDKO, n = 9). DJ-1-deficient muscles were slightly dystrophic (Flox, n = 7; MDKO, n = 8; P < 0.05), with impaired physical activities and oxidative capacity (n = 8, P < 0.01). In disuse-atrophic conditions, MDKO mice showed smaller cross-sectional area (n = 5, P < 0.01) and more central nuclei than control mice (Flox, n = 7; MDKO, n = 6; P < 0.05), without alteration in muscle fibre types (Flox, n = 6; MDKO, n = 7). Biochemical analysis indicated that reduced mitochondrial function and upregulated of atrogenes induced these changes. Furthermore, RNA-seq analysis revealed enhanced activity of the FoxO1 signalling pathway in DJ-1-ablated muscles, which was responsible for the induction of atrogenes. Finally, compound 23 (an inhibitor of DJ-1) could mimic the effects of DJ-1 ablation in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Our results illuminate the crucial of skeletal muscle DJ-1 in the regulation of catabolic signals from mechanical stimulation, providing a therapeutic target for muscle wasting diseases.

PARP1 inhibition enhances reactive oxygen species on gut microbiota.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) plays a key role in genome stability by modulating DNA-damage responses. Activated by DNA interruptions through ultraviolet (UV) exposure, PARylation is synthesized by PARP1 and serves as a survival mechanism for cancer and metabolic diseases. Several strategies including ROS and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) function in host defenses, while the targeted tissue and mechanism under DNA damage are unknown. Here, we show that DNA damage induces responses specifically in the gut tissue. The knockdown of PARP1 reduces the activation of PARylation. Parp1 knockdown under DNA damage results in over-accumulated ROS and secretion of AMPs through the regulation of Relish, a subunit of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Double-knockdown of Parp1 and Relish specifically in the gut inhibits AMP secretion. In conclusion, the host defense is achieved through ROS accumulation rather than the AMPs under DNA damage. In contrast, the knockdown of PARP1 exacerbates ROS accumulation to a harmful level. Under this circumstance, NF-κb targeted AMP secretion is provoked for host defense. Microbiome and functional analysis provide evidence for the hazard of DNA damage and show variations in the metabolic pathways following Parp1 inhibition. Our findings suggest the notion that PARP1 inhibition contributes to ROS accumulation under DNA damage and its role in NF-κb activation for host defense.