A research team led by Prof. LI Yu from the Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health (SINH) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), in collaboration with Prof. FU Wenguang and Prof. FANG Jing, identified a novel mechanism for the HIF prolyl hydroxylase domain protein 3 (PHD3)-dependent proline hydroxylation of cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB)-regulated transcriptional coactivator 2 (CRTC2) in the regulation of hepatic gluconeogenesis. This study was published online in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) on May 30, 2023.

Elevated gluconeogenesis and excessive glucose production in the liver contribute to hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes. Prolyl hydroxylase (PHD)-mediated protein hydroxylation is involved in the regulation of cellular adaptation to hypoxia. However, whether it is regulated by nutritional or hormonal signals and modulates hepatic gluconeogenesis remains largely unknown.

This study demonstrated that PHD3 acts as a novel regulator in regulating hepatic gluconeogenesis and glucose homeostasis. Protein levels of PHD3 are potently induced in the liver and hepatocyte in response to fasting signals.

To investigate whether PHD3 and its hydroxylase activity is required for hepatic glucose metabolism, liver-specific knockout of PHD3 or prolyl hydroxylase-deficient knockin mice were generated. The mice showed attenuated fasting gluconeogenic genes, glycaemia and hepatic capacity to produce glucose during fasting or fed with high-fat, high-sucrose diet.

Mechanistically, catalytic domain of PHD3 specifically binds to and directly hydroxylates the CREB coactivator CRTC2 at two amino acid residues proline 129 and 615 (Pro129 and Pro615), and hydroxylation of CRTC2 increases its association with CREB and nuclear translocation, which leads to enhanced transcription of gluconeogenic gene.

Importantly, Pro615 hydroxylation of CRTC2 by PHD3 is increased in livers of fasted mice, diet-induced insulin resistance or genetically obese ob/ob mice and humans with diabetes.

These findings increase our understanding of molecular mechanisms linking protein hydroxylation to gluconeogenesis, and may offer therapeutic potential for treating excessive gluconeogenesis, hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes.

The proposed model for PHD3-mediated noncanonical CRTC2 hydroxylation-dependent activation of hepatic gluconeogenesis. Targeting PHD3 or CRTC2 hydroxylation may provide novel therapeutic avenues for the treatment of hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes. (Image by Prof. LI Yu’s group)

Media Contact:
WANG Jin
Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health,
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Email: wangjin01@sinh.ac.cn

Web: http://english.sinh.cas.cn/