Biomedical subjects

Nicolas Dif

Publications and source records attributed to Nicolas Dif.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Insulin activates human sterol-regulatory-element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) promoter through SRE motifs.

In the present study, we aimed to decipher the mechanisms involved in the transcriptional effect of insulin on the SREBP-1c specific promoter of the human srebf-1 gene. Using luciferase reporter gene constructs in HEK-293 cells (human embryonic kidney cells), we demonstrated that the full effect of insulin requires the presence of SREs (sterol response elements) in the proximal region of the promoter. Furthermore, insulin increases the binding of SREBP-1 (sterol-regulatory-element-binding protein-1) to this promoter region in chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. We also found that the nuclear receptors LXRs (liver X receptors) strongly activate SREBP-1c gene expression and identified the LXRE (LXR-response element) involved in this effect. However, our results suggested that these LXREs do not play a major role in the response to insulin. Finally, using expression vectors and adenoviruses allowing ectopic overexpressions of the human mature forms of SREBP-1a or SREBP-1c, we demonstrated the direct role of SREBP-1 in the control of SREBP-1c gene expression in human skeletal-muscle cells. Altogether, these results strongly suggest that the SREBP-1 transcription factors are the main mediators of insulin action on SREBP-1c expression in human tissues.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2006

Growth arrest and decrease of alpha-SMA and type I collagen expression by palmitic acid in the rat hepatic stellate cell line PAV-1.

Liver fibrosis is characterized by an activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC). During primary culture HSC evolve from a quiescent into an activated phenotype which is characterized by alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) up-regulation, increase in cell growth, and extracellular matrix secretion. HSC culture with trans-resveratrol can lead to deactivation of myofibroblast-like HSC. We used an HSC line, PAV-1, to check the role of retinol and palmitic acid in the deactivation process of HSC. Using mass and metabolic-based methods, Western blot and immunocytochemistry assays, we demonstrated that treatment with palmitic acid (75 muM) alone or in combination with retinol (2 muM) significantly decreased cell proliferation and alpha-SMA expression. We also established that the association of both compounds strongly decreased collagen type I expression. Our results suggest the potential use of palmitic acid alone or in combination with retinol to induce HSC deactivation.

Actins↗

PubMed2005

Regulation of SREBP-1 expression and transcriptional action on HKII and FAS genes during fasting and refeeding in rat tissues.

The sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP-1) is regarded as a major factor involved in the nutritional regulation of lipogenesis. The aim of the present work was to demonstrate its involvement in the response of key genes of glucose and lipid metabolism in liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle during fasting and refeeding. The regulation of hexokinase-2 (HKII) was investigated as a marker of the glucose metabolic pathway and that of FAS was investigated as a marker of the lipogenic pathway. The in vivo association of SREBP-1 with the promoter regions of these genes was determined in the different tissues using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Fasting decreased, and refeeding restored, FAS and HKII mRNA and protein levels in each tissue. The concomitant measurement of SREBP-1a and SREBP-1c mRNA levels, of mature SREBP-1 protein abundance in nuclear extracts, and of SREBP-1 interaction with target promoters led to the conclusion that SREBP-1 plays a major role in the response of FAS and HKII genes to nutritional regulation in rodents. These data elucidate the important role of SREBP-1 not only in the regulation of lipid metabolism but also of glucose metabolism and energy homeostasis.

Adipose Tissue↗