title: Mex3c mutation reduces adiposity partially through increasing physical activity.
abstract: MEX3C is an RNA-binding protein with unknown physiological function. We have recently reported that a Mex3c mutation in mice causes growth retardation and reduced adiposity, but how adiposity is reduced remains unclear. Herein, we show that homozygous Mex3c gene trap mice have increased physical activity. The Mex3c mutation consistently conferred full protection from diet-induced obesity, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, and hepatic steatosis. In ob/ob mice with leptin deficiency, the Mex3c mutation also increased physical activity and improved glucose and lipid profiles. Expressing cre in the neurons of Mex3c gene trap mice, an attempt to partially restoring neuronal Mex3c expression, significantly increased white adipose tissue deposition, but had no effects on body length. Our data suggest that one way in which Mex3c regulates adiposity is through controlling physical activity, and that neuronal Mex3c expression could play an important role in this process.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Regenerative MedicineWake Forest University Health Sciences, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USADepartment of Human Anatomy and EmbryologyThe Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, ChinaInstitute for Regenerative MedicineWake Forest University Health Sciences, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USADepartment of Human Anatomy and EmbryologyThe Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Changjie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Institute for Regenerative MedicineWake Forest University Health Sciences, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USADepartment of Human Anatomy and EmbryologyThe Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jiao
authors.affiliation: Institute for Regenerative MedicineWake Forest University Health Sciences, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USADepartment of Human Anatomy and EmbryologyThe Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Qingguo
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Institute for Regenerative MedicineWake Forest University Health Sciences, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USADepartment of Human Anatomy and EmbryologyThe Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China blu@wakehealth.edu.
authors.forename: Baisong
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lu
mesh_terms: D002001:Adipose Tissue, Brown / Q000378:metabolism; D050154:Adiposity / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight / Q000235:genetics; D059305:Diet, High-Fat / Q000009:adverse effects; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008820:Mice, Obese; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009154:Mutation; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; C575192:MEX3c protein, mouse; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D014280:Triglycerides
keywords: Mex3c; adiposity; high-fat diet; mice; physical activity