The transcription factor ATF4 regulates glucose metabolism in mice through its expression in osteoblasts.

ABSTRACT: The recent demonstration that osteoblasts have a role in controlling energy metabolism suggests that they express cell-specific regulatory genes involved in this process. Activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) is a transcription factor that accumulates predominantly in osteoblasts, where it regulates virtually all functions linked to the maintenance of bone mass. Since Atf4-/- mice have smaller fat pads than littermate controls, we investigated whether ATF4 also influences energy metabolism. Here, we have shown, through analysis of Atf4-/- mice, that ATF4 inhibits insulin secretion and decreases insulin sensitivity in liver, fat, and muscle. Several lines of evidence indicated that this function of ATF4 occurred through its osteoblastic expression. First, insulin sensitivity is enhanced

SUBMITTER: Yoshizawa T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2735903 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature