Response gene to complement 32 suppresses adipose tissue thermogenic genes through inhibiting ß3‐adrenergic receptor/mTORC1 signaling

Our previous studies have shown that response gene to complement (RGC)-32 deficiency (Rgc32−/−) protects mice from diet-induced obesity and increases thermogenic gene expression in adipose tissues. However, the underlying mechanisms by which RGC-32 regulates thermogenic gene expression remain to be determined. In the present study, RGC-32 expression in white adipose tissue (WAT) was suppressed during cold exposure-induced WAT browning. Rgc32−/− significantly increased thermogenic gene expression in the differentiated stromal vascular fraction (SVF) of inguinal (i)WAT and interscapular brown adipose tissue (BAT). Rgc32−/− and cold exposure regulated a common set of genes in iWAT, as shown by RNA sequencing data. Pathway enrichment analyses showed that Rgc32−/− down-regulated PI3K/Akt signaling-related genes. Akt phosphorylation was also consistently decreased in Rgc32−/− iWAT, which led to an increase in ß3-adrenergic receptor (ß3-AR) expression and subsequent activation of mammalian target of rapamycin complex (mTORC)-1. ß3-AR antagonist SR 59230A and mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin blocked Rgc32−/−-induced thermogenic gene expression in both iWAT and inter-scapular BAT. These results indicate that RGC-32 suppresses adipose tissue thermogenic gene expression through down-regulation of ß3-AR expression and mTORC1 activity via a PI3K/Akt-dependent mechanism.—Chen, S., Mei, X., Yin, A., Yin, H., Cui, X.-B., Chen, S.-Y. Response gene to complement 32 suppresses adipose tissue thermogenic genes through inhibiting β3-adrenergic receptor/mTORC1 signaling. FASEB J. 32, 4836–4847 (2018). www.fasebj.org