Hepatic differentiated embryo-chondrocyte-expressed gene 1 (Dec1) inhibits sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (Srebp-1c) expression and alleviates fatty liver phenotype.

ABSTRACT: Hepatic steatosis, characterized by ectopic hepatic triglyceride accumulation, is considered as the early manifestation of non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD). Increased SREBP-1c level and activity contribute to excessive hepatic triglyceride accumulation in NAFLD patients; however, negative regulators of Srebp-1c are not well defined. In this study, we show that Dec1, a critical regulator of circadian rhythm, negatively regulates hepatic Srebp-1c expression. Hepatic Dec1 expression levels are markedly decreased in NAFLD mouse models. Restored Dec1 gene expression levels in NAFLD mouse livers decreased the expression of Srebp-1c and lipogenic genes, subsequently ameliorating the fatty liver phenotype. Conversely, knockdown of Dec1 expression by an adenovirus expressing Dec1-specific

SUBMITTER: Shen L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4156064 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature