CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein CEBP-2 controls fat consumption and fatty acid desaturation in Caenorhabditis elegans.
Mammalian CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBPs) are generally known as regulators in adipocyte differentiation. However, more understanding of the role of C/EBPs in lipid and glucose metabolism remains to be discovered. In this study, we verified the effect of CEBP-2, the homolog of CEBPs, on fat storage in Caenorhabditis elegans. Expressions of 85 genes that encode the major enzymes in energy metabolic pathways were then screened in cebp-2-deficient worms using a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR). Our data implied that loss of function of CEBP-2 displayed a low-fat phenotype in C. elegans owing to increased expression of ech-1.1 and decreased expression of fat-5. Our findings indicated that cebp-2 controls total body fat content by governing fatty acid mitochondrial β-oxidation and desaturation in C. elegans. These data provide insights into how C/EBPs may affect lipid metabolism in mammals in addition to regulating adipocyte differentiation.
Department of Geriatrics, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 160 Pujian Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 200127, China.
Xiao-Ying
XY
Xu
Department of Geriatrics, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 160 Pujian Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 200127, China.
Jian-Ping
JP
Hu
National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, No. 7 Science Park Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Changping, Beijing 102206, China.
Meng-Meng
MM
Wu
Division of Translational Medicine, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, No. 170 Xinsong Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 201100, China. Electronic address: lishunwang@fudan.edu.cn.
Li-Shun
LS
Wang
Department of Geriatrics, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 160 Pujian Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 200127, China. Electronic address: fangnysh@126.com.
Ning-Yuan
NY
Fang
D000818:Animals; D022762:CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D017353:Gene Deletion; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction
D022762:CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins; C000605818:CEBP-2 protein, C elegans; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D005227:Fatty Acids
Beta-oxidation; CEBP-2; Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans); Lipid synthesis