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Mitochondrial retrograde signal through GCN5L1 transition–mediated PPARγ stabilization promotes MASLD development
Jiaqi Zhang, Danni Wang, Qiqi Tang, Yaoshu Yue, Xin Lu, Xiuya Hu, Yitong Han, Jiarun Chen, Zihan Wang, Xue Bai, Kai Zhang, Yongsheng Chang, Longhao Sun, Lu Zhu, Lingdi Wang
Jiaqi Zhang, Danni Wang, Qiqi Tang, Yaoshu Yue, Xin Lu, Xiuya Hu, Yitong Han, Jiarun Chen, Zihan Wang, Xue Bai, Kai Zhang, Yongsheng Chang, Longhao Sun, Lu Zhu, Lingdi Wang
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Research Article Cell biology Hepatology

Mitochondrial retrograde signal through GCN5L1 transition–mediated PPARγ stabilization promotes MASLD development

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Abstract

Mitochondrial retrograde signaling plays crucial roles in maintaining metabolic homeostasis via regulating genome modification and oxidative responsive gene expression. In this study, we identified GCN5L1, a protein localized in both mitochondria and cytoplasm, and demonstrated its specific translocation from mitochondria to cytoplasm during lipid overload and high-fat diet feeding. Using transcriptome and proteome analyses, we identified that cytoplasmic GCN5L1 binds to and promotes the acetylation of PPARγ at lysine 289 (K289). This acetylation protected PPARγ from ubiquitination-mediated degradation by proteasome. GCN5L1 translocation enhanced protein stability of PPARγ and subsequently promoted lipid accumulation in both cultured cells and murine models. Our study further reveals that PPARγ-K289 mutation reduces the ubiquitination of PPARγ and exacerbates liver steatosis in mice. These findings unveil a mitochondrial retrograde signaling during lipid overload, which regulates the crucial lipogenic transcriptional factor. This discovery elucidates an unrecognized mitochondrial function and mechanism underlying hepatic lipid synthesis.

Authors

Jiaqi Zhang, Danni Wang, Qiqi Tang, Yaoshu Yue, Xin Lu, Xiuya Hu, Yitong Han, Jiarun Chen, Zihan Wang, Xue Bai, Kai Zhang, Yongsheng Chang, Longhao Sun, Lu Zhu, Lingdi Wang

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Figure 7

PPARγ-K289 mutation increases PPARγ stability and liver steatosis in HFD mice.

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PPARγ-K289 mutation increases PPARγ stability and liver steatosis in HFD...
(A) C57BL/6 mice were given AAV-PPARγ-FLAG or AAV-PPARγ-K289R-FLAG via tail vein injection. The mice were subjected to either NC or HFD for 4 weeks and analyzed for liver TG content and PPARγ ubiquitination (n = 5 mice per group for NC; n = 6 mice per group for HFD). (B) Body weights of PPARγ-FLAG or PPARγ-K289R-FLAG mice on NC or HFD for 4 weeks (n = 5 mice per group for NC; n = 6 mice per group for HFD). (C) Liver weights of PPARγ-FLAG or PPARγ-K289R-FLAG mice on NC or HFD for 4 weeks (n = 5 mice per group for NC; n = 6 mice per group for HFD). (D) Liver TG content of eGFP, PPARγ-FLAG, or PPARγ-K289R-FLAG mice on NC or HFD as indicated (n = 4 mice per group for AAV-eGFP mice on NC; n = 5 mice per group for AAV-PPARγ mice on NC; n = 6 mice per group for HFD). (E) PPARγ-FLAG and PPARγ-K289R-FLAG were precipitated from mouse livers, and ubiquitination levels were detected by immunoblotting. Quantitation of 4 independent experiments is shown. Datasets in B and C were analyzed by 2-way ANOVA with Bonferroni correction. Datasets in D were analyzed by Welch’s ANOVA with Games-Howell post hoc tests. Datasets in E were analyzed by non-parametric statistical tests. ns, P > 0.05; *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001.

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