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Boosting metabolism with low USF1
Laurila et al. show that a deficiency of the transcription factor USF1 protects against obesity, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease. Even when fed a high-fat diet, USF1-deficient mice stayed lean and maintained a beneficial lipid profile with low triglycerides and high high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. The mice had elevated energy expenditure because their brown adipose tissue was more active. In USF1-deficient mice, glucose and lipids were rapidly cleared from the circulation to be burned by brown fat. In humans, individuals with reduced USF1 expression also had higher plasma HDL cholesterol and lower triglycerides, and were more insulin-sensitive and less prone to hardening of the arteries. These findings identify USF1 as a potential therapeutic target for treating metabolic and cardiac diseases.
- Copyright © 2016, American Association for the Advancement of Science
