The Xbp1s/GalE axis links ER stress to postprandial hepatic metabolism

Yingfeng Deng, Zhao Wang, Caroline Tao, Ningguo Gao, William L Holland, Anwarul Ferdous, Joyce Repa, Guosheng Liang, Jin Ye, Mark A Lehrman, Joseph A Hill, Jay D Horton, Philipp E Scherer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

116 Scopus citations

Abstract

Postprandially, the liver experiences an extensive metabolic reprogramming that is required for the switch from glucose production to glucose assimilation. Upon refeeding, the unfolded protein response (UPR) is rapidly, though only transiently, activated. Activation of the UPR results in a cessation of protein translation, increased chaperone expression, and increased ER-mediated protein degradation, but it is not clear how the UPR is involved in the postprandial switch to alternate fuel sources. Activation of the inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1) branch of the UPR signaling pathway triggers expression of the transcription factor Xbp1s. Using a mouse model with liver-specific inducible Xbp1s expression, we demonstrate that Xbp1s is sufficient to provoke a metabolic switch characteristic of the postprandial state, even in the absence of caloric influx. Mechanistically, we identified UDP-galactose-4-epimerase (GalE) as a direct transcriptional target of Xbp1s and as the key mediator of this effect. Our results provide evidence that the Xbp1s/GalE pathway functions as a novel regulatory nexus connecting the UPR to the characteristic postprandial metabolic changes in hepatocytes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)455-468
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation
Volume123
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2 2013

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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