Reduction in BACE1 decreases body weight, protects against diet-induced obesity and enhances insulin sensitivity in mice

Paul J. Meakin, Alex J. Harper, D. Lee Hamilton, Jennifer Gallagher, Alison D. McNeilly, Laura A. Burgess, Lobke M. Vaanholt, Kirsten A. Bannon, Judy Latcham, Ishrut Hussain, John R. Speakman, David R. Howlett, Michael L. J. Ashford (Lead / Corresponding author)

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    91 Citations (Scopus)
    131 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Insulin resistance and impaired glucose homoeostasis are important indicators of Type 2 diabetes and are early risk factors of AD (Alzheimer's disease). An essential feature of AD pathology is the presence of BACE1 (beta-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1), which regulates production of toxic amyloid peptides. However, whether BACE1 also plays a role in glucose homoeostasis is presently unknown. We have used transgenic mice to analyse the effects of loss of BACE1 on body weight, and lipid and glucose homoeostasis. BACE1(-/-) mice are lean, with decreased adiposity, higher energy expenditure, and improved glucose disposal and peripheral insulin sensitivity than wild-type littermates. BACE1(-/-) mice are also protected from diet-induced obesity. BACE1-deficient skeletal muscle and liver exhibit improved insulin sensitivity. In a skeletal muscle cell line, BACE1 inhibition increased glucose uptake and enhanced insulin sensitivity. The loss of BACE1 is associated with increased levels of UCP1 (uncoupling protein 1) in BAT (brown adipose tissue) and UCP2 and UCP3 mRNA in skeletal muscle, indicative of increased uncoupled respiration and metabolic inefficiency. Thus BACE1 levels may play a critical role in glucose and lipid homoeostasis in conditions of chronic nutrient excess. Therefore strategies that ameliorate BACE1 activity may be important novel approaches for the treatment of diabetes.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)285-296
    Number of pages12
    JournalBiochemical Journal
    Volume441
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2012

    Keywords

    • beta-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1)
    • glucose uptake
    • insulin sensitivity
    • liver
    • skeletal muscle
    • uncoupling protein (UCP)
    • AMYLOID PRECURSOR PROTEIN
    • GROWTH-FACTOR EXPRESSION
    • BETA-SECRETASE ACTIVITY
    • BROWN ADIPOSE-TISSUE
    • HIGH-FAT-DIET
    • ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE
    • UNCOUPLING PROTEIN-3
    • KNOCKOUT MICE
    • FOOD-INTAKE
    • RESISTANCE

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