Hepatic deletion of SIRT1 decreases hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α/farnesoid X receptor signaling and induces formation of cholesterol gallstones in mice

Mol Cell Biol. 2012 Apr;32(7):1226-36. doi: 10.1128/MCB.05988-11. Epub 2012 Jan 30.

Abstract

SIRT1, a highly conserved NAD(+)-dependent protein deacetylase, is a key metabolic sensor that directly links nutrient signals to animal metabolic homeostasis. Although SIRT1 has been implicated in a number of hepatic metabolic processes, the mechanisms by which hepatic SIRT1 modulates bile acid metabolism are still not well understood. Here we report that deletion of hepatic SIRT1 reduces the expression of farnesoid X receptor (FXR), a nuclear receptor that regulates bile acid homeostasis. We provide evidence that SIRT1 regulates the expression of FXR through hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α (HNF1α). SIRT1 deficiency in hepatocytes leads to decreased binding of HNF1α to the FXR promoter. Furthermore, we show that hepatocyte-specific deletion of SIRT1 leads to derangements in bile acid metabolism, predisposing the mice to development of cholesterol gallstones on a lithogenic diet. Taken together, our findings indicate that SIRT1 plays a vital role in the regulation of hepatic bile acid homeostasis through the HNF1α/FXR signaling pathway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cholesterol / metabolism*
  • Gallstones / metabolism*
  • Gene Deletion
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1-alpha / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Lipid Metabolism
  • Liver / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / genetics
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Sirtuin 1 / genetics*
  • Sirtuin 1 / metabolism

Substances

  • Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1-alpha
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • farnesoid X-activated receptor
  • Cholesterol
  • Sirt1 protein, mouse
  • Sirtuin 1