Inactivation of the E3 Ubiquitin Ligase IDOL Attenuates Diet-Induced Obesity and Metabolic Dysfunction in Mice

Nienke M. van Loon, Roelof Ottenhoff, Sander Kooijman, Martina Moeton, Saskia Scheij, Reinout L. P. Roscam Abbing, Marion J. J. Gijbels, Johannes H. M. Levels, Vincenzo Sorrentino, Jimmy F. P. Berbee, Patrick C. N. Rensen, Noam Zelcer*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Objective The E3 ubiquitin ligase IDOL (inducible degrader of the LDLR [LDL (low-density lipoprotein) receptor]) is a post-transcriptional regulator of LDLR abundance. Model systems and human genetics support a role for IDOL in regulating circulating LDL levels. Whether IDOL plays a broader metabolic role and affects development of metabolic syndrome-associated comorbidities is unknown. Approach and Results We studied WT (wild type) and Idol((-/-)) (Idol-KO) mice in 2 models: physiological aging and diet-induced obesity. In both models, deletion of Idol protected mice from metabolic dysfunction. On a Western-type diet, Idol loss resulted in decreased circulating levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and insulin. This was accompanied by protection from weight gain in short- and long-term dietary challenges, which could be attributed to reduced hepatosteatosis and fat mass in Idol-KO mice. Although feeding and intestinal fat uptake were unchanged in Idol-KO mice, their brown adipose tissue was protected from lipid accumulation and had elevated expression of UCP1 (uncoupling protein 1) and TH (tyrosine hydroxylase). Indirect calorimetry indicated a marked increase in locomotion and suggested a trend toward increased cumulative energy expenditure and fat oxidation. An increase in in vivo clearance of reconstituted lipoprotein particles in Idol-KO mice may sustain this energetic demand. In the BXD mouse genetic reference population, hepatic Idol expression correlates with multiple metabolic parameters, thus providing support for findings in the Idol-KO mice. Conclusions Our study uncovers an unrecognized role for Idol in regulation of whole body metabolism in physiological aging and on a Western-type diet. These findings support Idol inhibition as a therapeutic strategy to target multiple metabolic syndrome-associated comorbidities.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1785-1795
Number of pages11
JournalArteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology
Volume38
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2018

Keywords

  • adipose tissue
  • brown
  • cholesterol
  • lipid metabolism
  • metabolic syndrome
  • obesity
  • ubiquitin-protein ligases
  • LOW-DENSITY-LIPOPROTEIN
  • FAMILY-MEMBERS VLDLR
  • ADIPOSE-TISSUE
  • INDUCIBLE DEGRADER
  • LDL RECEPTORS
  • CHOLESTEROL
  • PCSK9
  • DEGRADATION
  • PLASMA
  • GLUCOSE

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