Obesity, caused by excess calories stored as fat in white adipose tissue (WAT), is a major risk factor for metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes. The discovery of fat-burning brown adipose tissue (BAT) in humans has raised the exciting possibility that BAT may be targeted to treat obesity and metabolic diseases. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) can function to convert WAT into a brown-like state, and they have been used as a remedy for diabetes, but their clinical use has been limited because of serious side effects. A molecular understanding of TZD action will lead to the development of efficacious yet lower-risk drugs for metabolic disorders. In our preliminary studies, we observed widespread co-transcriptional splicing in nascent RNAs (GROseq). We found that TZDs regulate co-transcriptional splicing as well as the transcription levels of splicesomal genes. Interestingly, genes with altered co-transcriptional splicing ratios were associated with browning effect and PPAR signaling pathway. Based on these observations, we propose to study alternative splicing regulated by TZDs and determine the association with insulin sensitivity. Also, we recently found that TZDs re-distribute Med1 occupancy, a subunit of the Mediator. Interestingly, Med23, another subunit of the Mediator, regulates alternative splicing. Based on these observations, we aim to study if the mediator redistribution is associated with alternative splicing. Moreover, we further aim to study RNA stability by integrating nascent RNA (GROseq) and steady-state RNA (RNAseq). Isoforms spliced differently have different half-lives. Using a systematic way to integrate transcriptomic data we will investigate if TZDs regulate RNA stability. Our innovative approach to use nascent and steady-state RNAs will enhance our understanding of TZDs by fully exploiting the transcriptomic landscapes. The comprehensive nature of our study will reveal previously unrecognized regulatory mechanisms of TZDs in regulating alternative splicing and RNA stability. Our study will lead us to the identification of efficacious, low-risk drug targets fr the metabolic disorders that pervade society.

Public Health Relevance

An innovative way of studying nascent and steady-state RNAs will reveal novel knowledge of thiazolidinedione (TZDs) about alternative splicing, mRNA stability, and insulin sensitivity. The comprehensive and unbiased nature of this study combined with its scale will provide a unique view in studying the mechanism of TZDs, which will identify efficacious but lower risk drug targets for the metabolic disorders.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DK106027-02
Application #
9120876
Study Section
Cellular Aspects of Diabetes and Obesity Study Section (CADO)
Program Officer
Blondel, Olivier
Project Start
2015-08-06
Project End
2020-07-31
Budget Start
2016-08-01
Budget End
2017-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pennsylvania
Department
Genetics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
042250712
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19104
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