The TMAO-Producing Enzyme Flavin-Containing Monooxygenase 3 Regulates Obesity and the Beiging of White Adipose Tissue

Cell Rep. 2017 Jun 20;19(12):2451-2461. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.05.077.

Abstract

Emerging evidence suggests that microbes resident in the human intestine represent a key environmental factor contributing to obesity-associated disorders. Here, we demonstrate that the gut microbiota-initiated trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO)-generating pathway is linked to obesity and energy metabolism. In multiple clinical cohorts, systemic levels of TMAO were observed to strongly associate with type 2 diabetes. In addition, circulating TMAO levels were associated with obesity traits in the different inbred strains represented in the Hybrid Mouse Diversity Panel. Further, antisense oligonucleotide-mediated knockdown or genetic deletion of the TMAO-producing enzyme flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) conferred protection against obesity in mice. Complimentary mouse and human studies indicate a negative regulatory role for FMO3 in the beiging of white adipose tissue. Collectively, our studies reveal a link between the TMAO-producing enzyme FMO3 and obesity and the beiging of white adipose tissue.

Keywords: FMO3; adipose; diabetes; flavin-containing monooxygenase 3; microbiota; nutrition; obesity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipocytes, Beige / enzymology
  • Animals
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / blood
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methylamines / blood*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Obesity / blood
  • Obesity / enzymology*
  • Obesity / pathology
  • Oxygenases / physiology*
  • Subcutaneous Fat / enzymology*
  • Subcutaneous Fat / pathology
  • Subcutaneous Fat / physiopathology

Substances

  • Methylamines
  • Oxygenases
  • dimethylaniline monooxygenase (N-oxide forming)
  • trimethyloxamine