The long-term goal of this proposal is to elucidate the mechanisms that regulate cellular energy balance. Here, we are focusing on energy regulation in adipose tissue with a weighted focus on brown fat. Interest in brown fat bioenergetics is rapidly gaining momentum because of the recent realization that adult humans possess a significant quantity of brown fat or brown fat-like cells that may exhibit metabolically favorable """"""""fat burning"""""""" properties. It is speculated that therapeutically increasing brown fat energy expenditure could defend against obesity. Importantly however, very little is known about the molecular signals that control energy expenditure in adipose tissue, or brown fat differentiation and function. The objective of this proposal is to test the hypothesis that the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) is a critical regulator of metabolism and energy expenditure in brown fat. To test this, we are taking a multidisciplinary approach utilizing genetically engineered mice, primary cell lines, and pharmacological agents to study the mechanisms by which mTORC2 and its substrates regulate energy balance in adipose tissue. Our work is yielding very interesting and unexpected preliminary findings that suggest inhibiting mTORC2 reprograms cellular metabolism and may increase brown fat activity.
In Specific Aim 1, we elucidate the mechanism by which mTORC2 reprograms metabolism.
In Specific Aim 2, we test the in vivo relevance of our hypothesis and our preliminary findings using novel mouse models.
In Specific Aim 3, we ask if pharmacologically inhibiting mTORC2 can treat pathological fat accumulation. Elucidating the metabolic regulatory circuits under mTORC2 control in brown fat will have important implications in advancing therapies targeting cellular bioenergetics.
The prevalence of metabolic disorders in the United States is escalating, placing significant burden on the U.S. health care system. Obesity in particular is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, dyslipidaemias, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, and is increasing worldwide at epidemic rates. In this proposal, we investigate the molecular basis of metabolic homeostasis and energy expenditure with the goal of elucidating potential therapeutic strategies to defend against obesity by increasing cellular bioenergetics.
| Sanchez-Gurmaches, Joan; Tang, Yuefeng; Jespersen, Naja Zenius et al. (2018) Brown Fat AKT2 Is a Cold-Induced Kinase that Stimulates ChREBP-Mediated De Novo Lipogenesis to Optimize Fuel Storage and Thermogenesis. Cell Metab 27:195-209.e6 |
| Secco, Blandine; Camiré, Étienne; Brière, Marc-Antoine et al. (2017) Amplification of Adipogenic Commitment by VSTM2A. Cell Rep 18:93-106 |
| Lee, Peter L; Jung, Su Myung; Guertin, David A (2017) The Complex Roles of Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin in Adipocytes and Beyond. Trends Endocrinol Metab 28:319-339 |
| Cederquist, Carly T; Lentucci, Claudia; Martinez-Calejman, Camila et al. (2017) Systemic insulin sensitivity is regulated by GPS2 inhibition of AKT ubiquitination and activation in adipose tissue. Mol Metab 6:125-137 |
| Sanchez-Gurmaches, Joan; Hung, Chien-Min; Guertin, David A (2016) Emerging Complexities in Adipocyte Origins and Identity. Trends Cell Biol 26:313-326 |
| Lee, Peter L; Tang, Yuefeng; Li, Huawei et al. (2016) Raptor/mTORC1 loss in adipocytes causes progressive lipodystrophy and fatty liver disease. Mol Metab 5:422-32 |
| Tang, Yuefeng; Wallace, Martina; Sanchez-Gurmaches, Joan et al. (2016) Adipose tissue mTORC2 regulates ChREBP-driven de novo lipogenesis and hepatic glucose metabolism. Nat Commun 7:11365 |
| Sanchez-Gurmaches, Joan; Hsiao, Wen-Yu; Guertin, David A (2015) Highly selective in vivo labeling of subcutaneous white adipocyte precursors with Prx1-Cre. Stem Cell Reports 4:541-50 |
| Sanchez-Gurmaches, Joan; Guertin, David A (2014) mTORC1 gRABs the Golgi. Cancer Cell 26:601-3 |
| Hung, Chien-Min; Calejman, Camila Martinez; Sanchez-Gurmaches, Joan et al. (2014) Rictor/mTORC2 loss in the Myf5 lineage reprograms brown fat metabolism and protects mice against obesity and metabolic disease. Cell Rep 8:256-71 |
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