BMP4 Cross-talks With Estrogen/ERα Signaling to Regulate Adiposity and Glucose Metabolism in Females

Shu wen Qian, Yan Liu, Jue Wang, Ji Chan Nie, Meng yuan Wu, Yan Tang, Ya Xin Zhao, Xi Li, Hai yan Huang, Liang Guo, Xi shi Liu, Cong jian Xu, Qi qun Tang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Similar to estrogens, bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) promotes the accumulation of more metabolically active subcutaneous fat and reduction of visceral fat. However, whether there is a cross-talk between BMP4 and estrogen signaling remained unknown. Herein, we found that BMP4 deficiency in white adipose tissue (WAT) increased the estrogen receptor α (ERα) level and its signaling, which prevented adult female mice from developing high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and insulin resistance; estrogens depletion up regulated BMP4 expression to overcome overt adiposity and impaired insulin sensitivity with aging, and failure of BMP4 regulation due to genetic knockout led to more fat gain in aged female mice. This mutual regulation between BMP4 and estrogen/ERα signaling may also happen in adipose tissue of women, since the BMP4 level significantly increased after menopause, and was inversely correlated with body mass index (BMI). These findings suggest a counterbalance between BMP4 and estrogen/ERα signaling in the regulation of adiposity and relative metabolism in females.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)91-100
Number of pages10
JournalEBioMedicine
Volume11
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • BMP4
  • ERα
  • Estrogen
  • Glucose metabolism
  • White adipose tissue

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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