Mouse ghrelin-O-acyltransferase (GOAT) plays a critical role in bile acid reabsorption

FASEB J. 2012 Jan;26(1):259-71. doi: 10.1096/fj.11-191460. Epub 2011 Sep 29.

Abstract

Ghrelin is a unique peptide gut hormone that requires post-translational modification to stimulate both feeding and growth hormone release. Ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT) was identified as a specific acyl-transferase for ghrelin, and recent genetic deletion studies of the Goat gene (Goat(-/-)) uncovered the role of ghrelin in the regulation of glucose homeostasis. To further understand the physiological functions of the GOAT/ghrelin system, we have conducted a metabolomic and microarray profile of Goat-null mice, as well as determined Goat expression in different tissues using the lacZ reporter gene. Serum metabolite profile analysis revealed that Goat(-/-) mice exhibited increased secondary bile acids >2.5-fold. This was attributed to increased mRNA and protein expression of the ileal sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ISBT) in the intestinal and biliary tract. Increased expression of additional solute carrier proteins, including Slc5a12 (>10-fold) were also detected in the small intestine and bile duct. Goat staining was consistently observed in the pituitary glands, stomach, and intestines, and to a lesser extent in the gallbladder and pancreatic duct. This is the first report that the GOAT/ghrelin system regulates bile acid metabolism, and these findings suggest a novel function of GOAT in the regulation of intestinal bile acid reabsorption..

MeSH terms

  • Acylation
  • Acyltransferases / genetics*
  • Acyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Adipose Tissue / anatomy & histology
  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Bile Acids and Salts / metabolism*
  • Biliary Tract / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Chromosomes, Artificial, Bacterial / genetics
  • Eating / physiology
  • Gallbladder / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Ghrelin / metabolism
  • Ileum / metabolism
  • Intestinal Absorption / physiology*
  • Lac Operon / genetics
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Metabolome / genetics*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Pituitary Gland, Anterior / metabolism

Substances

  • Bile Acids and Salts
  • Ghrelin
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Acyltransferases
  • Mboat4 protein, mouse