title: ATF7 ablation prevents diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance.
abstract: The activating transcription factor (ATF)2 family of transcription factors regulates a variety of metabolic processes, including adipogenesis and adaptive thermogenesis. ATF7 is a member of the ATF2 family, and mediates epigenetic changes induced by environmental stresses, such as social isolation and pathogen infection. However, the metabolic role of ATF7 remains unknown. The aim of the present study is to examine the role of ATF7 in metabolism using ATF7-dificeint mice. Atf7(-/-) mice exhibited lower body weight and resisted diet-induced obesity. Serum triglycerides, resistin, and adipose tissue mass were all significantly lower in ATF7-deficient mice. Fasting glucose levels and glucose tolerance were unaltered, but systemic insulin sensitivity was increased, by ablation of ATF7. Indirect calorimetry revealed that oxygen consumption by Atf7(-/-) mice was comparable to that of wild-type littermates on a standard chow diet, but increased energy expenditure was observed in Atf7(-/-) mice on a high-fat diet. Hence, ATF7 ablation may impair the development and function of adipose tissue and result in elevated energy expenditure in response to high-fat-feeding obesity and insulin resistance, indicating that ATF7 is a potential therapeutic target for diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance.
authors: Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, RIKEN Tsukuba Institute, 3-1-1 Koyadai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan; Department of Molecular Genetics and Ph.D. Program in Human Biology, School of Integrative and Global Majors, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan.
authors: Yang
authors: Y
authors: Liu
authors: Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, RIKEN Tsukuba Institute, 3-1-1 Koyadai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan.
authors: Toshio
authors: T
authors: Maekawa
authors: Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, RIKEN Tsukuba Institute, 3-1-1 Koyadai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan.
authors: Keisuke
authors: K
authors: Yoshida
authors: Technology and Development Team for Mouse Phenotype Analysis, RIKEN BRC, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
authors: Tamio
authors: T
authors: Furuse
authors: Technology and Development Team for Mouse Phenotype Analysis, RIKEN BRC, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
authors: Hideki
authors: H
authors: Kaneda
authors: Technology and Development Team for Mouse Phenotype Analysis, RIKEN BRC, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
authors: Shigeharu
authors: S
authors: Wakana
authors: Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, RIKEN Tsukuba Institute, 3-1-1 Koyadai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan; Department of Molecular Genetics and Ph.D. Program in Human Biology, School of Integrative and Global Majors, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan. Electronic address: sishii@rtc.riken.jp.
authors: Shunsuke
authors: S
authors: Ishii
mesh_terms: D051696:Activating Transcription Factors / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics; D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D050156:Adipogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D052436:Adipose Tissue, White / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D059305:Diet, High-Fat; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000235:genetics; D052243:Resistin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: C000619447:ATF7 protein, mouse; D051696:Activating Transcription Factors; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D052243:Resistin; C499623:Retn protein, mouse; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014280:Triglycerides
keywords: ATF7; Insulin resistance; Metabolism; Obesity