Molecular Mechanism of Regulating Glucose and Energy Metabolism via Inter-organ Neuronal Network System

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Molecular Basis and Disorders of Control of Apetite and Fat Accumulation
• Project/Area Number: 22126006
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Research in a proposed research area)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Biological Sciences
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: KATAGIRI Hideki 東北大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 教授 (00344664)
• Project Period (FY): 2010-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 糖尿病 / メタボリックシンドローム / 肥満

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have recently discovered that neuronal networks among organs/tissues play important roles in maintaining metabolic homeostasis in the whole body. In this study, we first focused on the inter-organ neuronal network system, originated in hepatic PPARγ expression, which promotes energy expenditure and lipolysis, and found that FSP27 mediates this signal downstream from PPARγ in the liver. Next, we newly discovered another inter-ogran communication system which regulates energy metabolism originating in the liver. Hepatic glucokinase expression, which induces glucose uptake, suppressed brown adipose tissue activity and adaptive thermogenesis via a novel neuronal network, consisting of the vagal afferents and sympathetic efferents. Furthermore, this neuronal network determines obesity predisposition among murine strains. Collectively, these discoveries further highlight the importance of inter-organ neuronal network for regulation of systemic homeostasis.

Free Research Field

医歯薬学