Genetic identification of thiosulfate sulfurtransferase as an adipocyte-expressed anti-diabetic target in mice selected for leanness
Discovery of genetic mechanisms for resistance to obesity and diabetes may illuminate new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of this global health challenge. We used the polygenic Lean mouse model, selected for low adiposity over 60 generations, to identify thiosulfate sulfurtransferase ( Tst,...
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Published in | Nature medicine Vol. 22; no. 7; pp. 771 - 779 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
06.06.2016
|
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Discovery of genetic mechanisms for resistance to obesity and diabetes may illuminate new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of this global health challenge. We used the polygenic Lean mouse model, selected for low adiposity over 60 generations, to identify thiosulfate sulfurtransferase (
Tst, Rhodanese
) as a candidate obesity-resistance gene with selectively increased adipocyte expression. Elevated adipose
Tst
expression correlated with indices of metabolic health across diverse mouse strains. Transgenic overexpression of
Tst
in adipocytes protected mice from diet-induced obesity and insulin-resistant diabetes.
Tst
gene deficiency markedly exacerbated diabetes whereas pharmacological TST activation ameliorated diabetes in mice
in vivo
. Mechanistically, TST selectively augmented mitochondrial function combined with degradation of reactive oxygen species and sulfide. In humans, adipose
TST
mRNA correlated positively with adipose insulin sensitivity and negatively with fat mass. Genetic identification of
Tst
as a beneficial regulator of adipocyte mitochondrial function may have therapeutic significance for type 2 diabetes. |
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ISSN: | 1078-8956 1546-170X |
DOI: | 10.1038/nm.4115 |