FOXK1 promotes nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by mediating mTORC1-dependent inhibition of hepatic fatty acid oxidation

Shun Fujinuma, Hirokazu Nakatsumi, Hideyuki Shimizu, Shigeaki Sugiyama, Akihito Harada, Takeshi Goya, Masatake Tanaka, Motoyuki Kohjima, Masatomo Takahashi, Yoshihiro Izumi, Mikako Yagi, Dongchon Kang, Mari Kaneko, Mayo Shigeta, Takeshi Bamba, Yasuyuki Ohkawa, Keiichi I. Nakayama

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic metabolic disorder caused by overnutrition and can lead to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The transcription factor Forkhead box K1 (FOXK1) is implicated in regulation of lipid metabolism downstream of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), but its role in NAFLD-NASH pathogenesis is understudied. Here, we show that FOXK1 mediates nutrient-dependent suppression of lipid catabolism in the liver. Hepatocyte-specific deletion of Foxk1 in mice fed a NASH-inducing diet ameliorates not only hepatic steatosis but also associated inflammation, fibrosis, and tumorigenesis, resulting in improved survival. Genome-wide transcriptomic and chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses identify several lipid metabolism-related genes, including Ppara, as direct targets of FOXK1 in the liver. Our results suggest that FOXK1 plays a key role in the regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism and that its inhibition is a promising therapeutic strategy for NAFLD-NASH, as well as for HCC.

Original languageEnglish
Article number112530
JournalCell Reports
Volume42
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 30 2023

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'FOXK1 promotes nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by mediating mTORC1-dependent inhibition of hepatic fatty acid oxidation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this