GSE135314
A long non-coding RNA specifically expressed in early embryos programs the metabolic balance in adult mice
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) display higher tissue-specificity than mRNAs. In particular, many lncRNAs are specifically expressed in early embryos, but the physiological functions of most of them remain largely unknown. Here, we show that deficiency of Lncenc1, a lncRNA specifically expressed in early embryos, results in an altered glucose and lipid balance in adult mice. Newly weaned lncenc1-deficient mice have been shown to display higher fasting blood glucose levels and to prefer to use lipids as a fuel source. When mice were fed a normal chow diet (NCD), in which glucose was the main energy source, glucose intolerance and insulin resistance were observed in adult lncenc1-deficient mice. Under high-fat diet (HFD) conditions, however, lncenc1-deficient mice became healthier and could resist food-induced obesity and metabolic disturbances, including liver steatosis and hypercholesterolmia. Furthermore, PPAR?-regulated lipogenesis in liver was reduced in lncenc1-deficient mice fed an HFD, as shown by transcriptome analyses. Interestingly, lncenc1-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) showed impaired glycolysis and lipogenesis, suggesting that the metabolic defects may already exist in embryos. Our study provides the first piece of evidence showing the essential roles of embryo-specific lncRNAs in adult metabolism, verifying the “fetal origin” of adult metabolic disorders. Overall design: RNAseq data in wild type and lncenc1 knockout mice livers.