The long noncoding RNA Tug1 connects metabolic changes with kidney disease in podocytes

J Clin Invest. 2016 Nov 1;126(11):4072-4075. doi: 10.1172/JCI90828. Epub 2016 Oct 17.

Abstract

An increasing amount of evidence suggests that metabolic alterations play a key role in chronic kidney disease (CKD) pathogenesis. In this issue of the JCI, Long et al. report that the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) taurine-upregulated 1 (Tug1) contributes to CKD development. The authors show that Tug1 regulates mitochondrial function in podocytes by epigenetic targeting of expression of the transcription factor PPARγ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α, encoded by Ppargc1a). Transgenic overexpression of Tug1 specifically in podocytes ameliorated diabetes-induced CKD in mice. Together, these results highlight an important connection between lncRNA-mediated metabolic alterations in podocytes and kidney disease development.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diabetic Nephropathies* / genetics
  • Diabetic Nephropathies* / metabolism
  • Diabetic Nephropathies* / pathology
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Mice
  • Mitochondria* / genetics
  • Mitochondria* / metabolism
  • Mitochondria* / pathology
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha / biosynthesis
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha / genetics
  • Podocytes* / metabolism
  • Podocytes* / pathology
  • RNA, Long Noncoding* / genetics
  • RNA, Long Noncoding* / metabolism
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic* / genetics
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic* / metabolism
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic* / pathology
  • Transgenes

Substances

  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha
  • Ppargc1a protein, mouse
  • RNA, Long Noncoding
  • long non-coding RNA TUG1, mouse