A novel function of B-cell translocation gene 1 (BTG1) in the regulation of hepatic insulin sensitivity in mice via c-Jun.

Insulin resistance is one of the major factors contributing to metabolic diseases, but the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. As an important cofactor, B-cell translocation gene 1 (BTG1) is involved in many physiologic processes; however, the direct effect of BTG1 on insulin sensitivity has not been described. In our study, BTG1 overexpression or knockdown improved or impaired insulin signaling in vitro, respectively. In addition, adenovirus-mediated BTG1 overexpression improved insulin sensitivity in wild-type (WT) and insulin-resistant leptin-receptor mutated (db/db) mice. In addition, transgenic BTG1-overexpressing mice were resistant to high-carbohydrate diet-induced insulin resistance. Adenovirus-mediated BTG1 knockdown consistently impaired insulin sensitivity in WT and insulin-sensitive leucine-deprived mice. Moreover, hepatic BTG1 expression was increased by leucine deprivation via the mammalian target of rapamycin/ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 pathway. Furthermore, c-Jun expression was up-regulated by BTG1, and adenovirus-mediated c-Jun knockdown blocked BTG1-improved insulin signaling and insulin sensitivity in vitro and in vivo. Finally, BTG1 promoted c-Jun expression via stimulating c-Jun and retinoic acid receptor activities. Taken together, these results identify a novel function for BTG1 in the regulation of hepatic insulin sensitivity and provide important insights into the nutritional regulation of BTG1 expression.- Xiao, F., Deng, J., Yu, J., Guo, Y., Chen, S., Guo, F. A novel function of B-cell translocation gene 1 (BTG1) in the regulation of hepatic insulin sensitivity in mice via c-Jun.