[PDF][PDF] Feedback repression of PPARα signaling by Let-7 microRNA

T Yagai, T Yan, Y Luo, S Takahashi, D Aibara, D Kim… - Cell reports, 2021 - cell.com
T Yagai, T Yan, Y Luo, S Takahashi, D Aibara, D Kim, CN Brocker, M Levi, H Motohashi
Cell reports, 2021cell.com
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) controls hepatic lipid homeostasis and
is the target of lipid-lowering fibrate drugs. PPARα activation represses expression of let-7
microRNA (miRNA), but the function of let-7 in PPARα signaling and lipid metabolism is
unknown. In the current study, a hepatocyte-specific let-7b/c2 knockout (let7b/c2 ΔHep)
mouse line is generated, and these mice are found to exhibit pronounced resistance to diet-
induced obesity and fatty liver. Let-7 inhibition by hepatocyte-specific let-7 sponge …
Summary
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) controls hepatic lipid homeostasis and is the target of lipid-lowering fibrate drugs. PPARα activation represses expression of let-7 microRNA (miRNA), but the function of let-7 in PPARα signaling and lipid metabolism is unknown. In the current study, a hepatocyte-specific let-7b/c2 knockout (let7b/c2ΔHep) mouse line is generated, and these mice are found to exhibit pronounced resistance to diet-induced obesity and fatty liver. Let-7 inhibition by hepatocyte-specific let-7 sponge expression shows similar phenotypes as let7b/c2ΔHep mice. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis reveals that hepatic PPARα signaling is repressed in let7b/c2ΔHep mice. Protein expression of the obligate PPARα heterodimer partner retinoid X receptor α (RXRα) is reduced in the livers of let7b/c2ΔHep mice. Ring finger protein 8 (Rnf8), which is a direct target of let-7, is elevated in let7b/c2ΔHep mouse liver and identified as a E3 ubiquitin ligase for RXRα. This study highlights a let-7-RNF8-RXRα regulatory axis that modulates hepatic lipid catabolism.
cell.com