ACSS3 in brown fat drives propionate catabolism and its deficiency leads to autophagy and systemic metabolic dysfunction.

ABSTRACT: Propionate is a gut microbial metabolite that has been reported to have controversial effects on metabolic health. Here we show that propionate is activated by acyl-CoA synthetase short-chain family member 3 (ACSS3), located on the mitochondrial inner membrane in brown adipocytes. Knockout of Acss3 gene (Acss3^-/- ) in mice reduces brown adipose tissue (BAT) mass but increases white adipose tissue (WAT) mass, leading to glucose intolerance and insulin resistance that are exacerbated by high-fat diet (HFD). Intriguingly, Acss3^-/- or HFD feeding significantly elevates propionate levels in BAT and serum, and propionate supplementation induces autophagy in cultured brown and white adipocytes. The elevated levels of propionate in Acss3^-/- mice similarly drive adi

SUBMITTER: Jia Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8858619 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature