Altered energy homeostasis and resistance to diet-induced obesity in KRAP-deficient mice

PLoS One. 2009;4(1):e4240. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0004240. Epub 2009 Jan 21.

Abstract

Obesity and related metabolic disorders have become leading causes of adult morbidity and mortality. KRAP (Ki-ras-induced actin-interacting protein) is a cytoskeleton-associated protein and a ubiquitous protein among tissues, originally identified as a cancer-related molecule, however, its physiological roles remain unknown. Here we demonstrate that KRAP-deficient (KRAP(-/-)) mice show enhanced metabolic rate, decreased adiposity, improved glucose tolerance, hypoinsulinemia and hypoleptinemia. KRAP(-/-) mice are also protected against high-fat diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance despite of hyperphagia. Notably, glucose uptake in the brown adipose tissue (BAT) in KRAP(-/-) mice is enhanced in an insulin-independent manner, suggesting that BAT is involved in altered energy homeostasis in KRAP(-/-) mice, although UCP (Uncoupling protein) expressions are not altered. Of interest is the down-regulation of fatty acid metabolism-related molecules, including acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC)-1, ACC-2 and fatty acid synthase in the liver of KRAP(-/-) mice, which could in part account for the metabolic phenotype in KRAP(-/-) mice. Thus, KRAP is a novel regulator in whole-body energy homeostasis and may be a therapeutic target in obesity and related diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase / metabolism
  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism
  • Adiposity / genetics
  • Animal Feed
  • Animals
  • Fatty Acid Synthases / metabolism
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Homeostasis
  • Insulin / metabolism
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Microfilament Proteins / genetics
  • Microfilament Proteins / physiology*
  • Models, Biological
  • Obesity / genetics*
  • Obesity / pathology

Substances

  • Insulin
  • KRAP protein, mouse
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Fatty Acid Synthases
  • Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase
  • Glucose