image: The study found that SerpinA1 helps activate mitochondria in both white and brown fat cells, promoting the "browning" of fat tissue, which boosts energy burning and reduces fat accumulation.
Credit: Masaji Sakaguchi, Kumamoto University
Researchers from Kumamoto University have identified a liver-derived protein, serine protease inhibitor A1 (SerpinA1), as a key regulator in combating obesity and enhancing glucose metabolism. This groundbreaking study, published in Nature Communications, sheds light on how activating brown adipose tissue (BAT) could pave the way for innovative treatments for diabetes and metabolic disorders.
Why Brown Fat Matters
While white adipose tissue (WAT) stores excess energy, brown adipose tissue (BAT) burns it, generating heat. As people age, BAT diminishes, increasing obesity risk. SerpinA1, a hepatokine secreted by the liver, has been shown to reverse this process by promoting the browning of WAT and activating BAT.
The Breakthrough
In their study, the team led by Assistant Professor Masaji Sakaguchi demonstrated that SerpinA1 significantly increases the expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), a protein critical for thermogenesis. Transgenic mice overexpressing SerpinA1 exhibited increased energy expenditure, improved glucose tolerance, and resistance to obesity, even on a high-fat diet. Conversely, mice lacking SerpinA1 displayed reduced mitochondrial activity, leading to obesity and insulin resistance.
Mechanism of Action
SerpinA1 interacts with the cell surface molecule EphB2 to trigger pathways that enhance UCP1 expression and mitochondrial activity in adipocytes. This finding reveals a novel signaling mechanism that operates independently of traditional β-adrenergic pathways.
Implications for Human Health
This discovery highlights a potential therapeutic pathway for treating obesity and type 2 diabetes by stimulating the body’s natural ability to burn fat. “Our findings suggest that boosting SerpinA1 levels could offer a new approach to managing metabolic diseases,” said Assistant Professor Masaji Sakaguchi from Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University.
Looking Forward
The research team aims to develop clinical applications based on this discovery, with hopes of advancing towards innovative treatments for metabolic syndrome and related disorders.
Journal
Nature Communications
Method of Research
Experimental study
Subject of Research
Animals
Article Title
Hepatic SerpinA1 Improves Energy and Glucose Metabolism through Regulation of Preadipocyte Proliferation and UCP1 Expression
Article Publication Date
12-Nov-2024
COI Statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest