Rictor/mTORC2 loss in the Myf5 lineage reprograms brown fat metabolism and protects mice against obesity and metabolic disease.

Cell Rep
Authors
Keywords
Abstract

The in vivo functions of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) and the signaling mechanisms that control brown adipose tissue (BAT) fuel utilization and activity are not well understood. Here, by conditionally deleting Rictor in the Myf5 lineage, we provide in vivo evidence that mTORC2 is dispensable for skeletal muscle development and regeneration but essential for BAT growth. Furthermore, deleting Rictor in Myf5 precursors shifts BAT metabolism to a more oxidative and less lipogenic state and protects mice from obesity and metabolic disease at thermoneutrality. We additionally find that Rictor is required for brown adipocyte differentiation in vitro and that the mechanism specifically requires AKT1 hydrophobic motif phosphorylation but is independent of pan-AKT signaling and is rescued with BMP7. Our findings provide insights into the signaling circuitry that regulates brown adipocytes and could have important implications for developing therapies aimed at increasing energy expenditure as a means to combat human obesity.

Year of Publication
2014
Journal
Cell Rep
Volume
8
Issue
1
Pages
256-71
Date Published
2014 Jul 10
ISSN
2211-1247
URL
DOI
10.1016/j.celrep.2014.06.007
PubMed ID
25001283
PubMed Central ID
PMC4096327
Links
Grant list
R00CA129613 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R01 DK094004 / DK / NIDDK NIH HHS / United States
R00 CA129613 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R01DK094004 / DK / NIDDK NIH HHS / United States
T32 HG000035 / HG / NHGRI NIH HHS / United States
DK09300 / DK / NIDDK NIH HHS / United States
Howard Hughes Medical Institute / United States