Acetyl-CoA and Metabolite Fluxes Regulate White Adipose Tissue Expansion. (May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Felix, Jessica B.; Cox, Aaron R.; Hartig, Sean M.
• Is Part Of: Trends in endocrinology and metabolism. Volume 32:Number 5(2021)
• Page Start: 320
• Page End: 332
• Publication Date: 2021-05
• Subjects: metabolite -- lipid metabolism -- adipose tissue -- insulin -- microenvironment; Endocrinology -- Periodicals; Metabolism -- Periodicals; Metabolism; 616.4
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2021.02.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1043-2760

Abstract

Abstract : White adipose tissue (WAT) depends on coordinated regulation of transcriptional and metabolic pathways to respond to whole-body energy demands. We highlight metabolites that contribute to biosynthetic reactions for WAT expansion. Recent studies have precisely defined how byproducts of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism affect physiological and endocrine functions in adipocytes. We emphasize the critical emerging roles of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle metabolites that connect lipogenesis to WAT energy balance and endocrine functions. These insights address how adipocytes use small molecules generated from central carbon metabolism to measure responses to nutritional stress. Highlights: White adipose tissue (WAT) utilizes multiple nutrient fuels to create energy stores for the organism. Although glucose and fatty acids contribute to the mitochondrial acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) pool, glutamine and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) also support anaplerotic substrates in differentiated adipocytes. Expression of ATP-citrate lyase (ACLY) generates the cytosolic acetyl-CoA pool within adipocytes in glucose-dependent ways. Acetate can maintain the cytosolic acetyl-CoA pool in the absence of ACLY. Newly established endocrine functions of short-chain fatty acids influence WAT gene regulation by affecting chromatin-modifying enzymes in WAT.