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Steroidogenic control of liver metabolism through a nuclear receptor-network

  • Alexandra Milona
  • , Vittoria Massafra
  • , Harmjan Vos
  • , Jyoti Naik
  • , Natalia Artigas
  • , Helen A.B. Paterson
  • , Ingrid T.G.W. Bijsmans
  • , Ellen C.L. Willemsen
  • , Jose M. Ramos Pittol
  • , Irene Miguel-Aliaga
  • , Piter Bosma
  • , Boudewijn M.T. Burgering
  • , Catherine Williamson
  • , Santiago Vernia
  • , Waljit S. Dhillo
  • , Saskia W.C. van Mil*
  • , Bryn M. Owen
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Coupling metabolic and reproductive pathways is essential for the survival of species. However, the functions of steroidogenic enzymes expressed in metabolic tissues are largely unknown.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Here, we show that in the liver, the classical steroidogenic enzyme Cyp17a1 forms an essential nexus for glucose and ketone metabolism during feed-fast cycles. Both gain- and loss-of-function approaches are used to show that hepatic Cyp17a1 is induced by fasting, catalyzes the production of at least one hormone-ligand (DHEA) for the nuclear receptor PPARα, and is ultimately required for maintaining euglycemia and ketogenesis during nutrient deprivation. The feedback-loop that terminates Cyp17a1-PPARα activity, and re-establishes anabolic liver metabolism during re-feeding is mapped to postprandial bile acid-signaling, involving the receptors FXR, SHP and LRH-1.

CONCLUSIONS: Together, these findings represent a novel paradigm of homeostatic control in which nutritional cues feed-forward on to metabolic pathways by influencing extragonadal steroidogenesis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)221-229
Number of pages9
JournalMolecular Metabolism
Volume30
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2019

Keywords

  • Bile acids
  • Cyp17a1
  • Diabetes
  • Fasting
  • FGF21
  • FXR
  • Gluconeogenesis
  • Liver
  • Metabolism
  • Steroidogenesis

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