Distinct C/EBPalpha motifs regulate lipogenic and gluconeogenic gene expression in vivo.

Thomas A Pedersen, Oxana Bereshchenko, Susana Garcia-Silva, Olga Ermakova, Elke Kurz, Susanne Mandrup, Bo T Porse, Claus Nerlov

    46 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The C/EBPalpha transcription factor regulates hepatic nitrogen, glucose, lipid and iron metabolism. However, how it is able to independently control these processes is not known. Here, we use mouse knock-in mutagenesis to identify C/EBPalpha domains that specifically regulate hepatic gluconeogenesis and lipogenesis. In vivo deletion of a proline-histidine rich domain (PHR), dephosphorylated at S193 by insulin signaling, dysregulated genes involved in the generation of acetyl-CoA and NADPH for triglyceride synthesis and led to increased hepatic lipogenesis. These promoters bound SREBP-1 as well as C/EBPalpha, and the PHR was required for C/EBPalpha-SREBP transcriptional synergy. In contrast, the highly conserved C/EBPalpha CR4 domain was found to undergo liver-specific dephosphorylation of residues T222 and T226 upon fasting, and alanine mutation of these residues upregulated the hepatic expression of the gluconeogenic G6Pase and PEPCK mRNAs, but not PGC-1alpha, leading to glucose intolerance. Our results show that pathway-specific metabolic regulation can be achieved through a single transcription factor containing context-sensitive regulatory domains, and indicate C/EBPalpha phosphorylation as a PGC-1alpha-independent mechanism for regulating hepatic gluconeogenesis.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalEMBO Journal
    Volume26
    Issue number4
    Pages (from-to)1081-93
    Number of pages12
    ISSN0261-4189
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2007

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Distinct C/EBPalpha motifs regulate lipogenic and gluconeogenic gene expression in vivo.'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this