Gα13 ablation reprograms myofibers to oxidative phenotype and enhances whole-body metabolism

J Clin Invest. 2017 Oct 2;127(10):3845-3860. doi: 10.1172/JCI92067. Epub 2017 Sep 18.

Abstract

Skeletal muscle is a key organ in energy homeostasis owing to its high requirement for nutrients. Heterotrimeric G proteins converge signals from cell-surface receptors to potentiate or blunt responses against environmental changes. Here, we show that muscle-specific ablation of Gα13 in mice promotes reprogramming of myofibers to the oxidative type, with resultant increases in mitochondrial biogenesis and cellular respiration. Mechanistically, Gα13 and its downstream effector RhoA suppressed nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATc1), a chief regulator of myofiber conversion, by increasing Rho-associated kinase 2-mediated (Rock2-mediated) phosphorylation at Ser243. Ser243 phosphorylation of NFATc1 was reduced after exercise, but was higher in obese animals. Consequently, Gα13 ablation in muscles enhanced whole-body energy metabolism and increased insulin sensitivity, thus affording protection from diet-induced obesity and hepatic steatosis. Our results define Gα13 as a switch regulator of myofiber reprogramming, implying that modulations of Gα13 and its downstream effectors in skeletal muscle are a potential therapeutic approach to treating metabolic diseases.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Energy Metabolism*
  • Fatty Liver / genetics
  • Fatty Liver / metabolism*
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, G12-G13 / genetics
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, G12-G13 / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Myofibrils / genetics
  • Myofibrils / metabolism*
  • NFATC Transcription Factors / genetics
  • NFATC Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Obesity / genetics
  • Obesity / metabolism*
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • rho-Associated Kinases / genetics
  • rho-Associated Kinases / metabolism
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein

Substances

  • NFATC Transcription Factors
  • Nfatc1 protein, mouse
  • Rock2 protein, mouse
  • rho-Associated Kinases
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, G12-G13
  • RhoA protein, mouse
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein