DNA damage induces down-regulation of PEPCK and G6P gene expression through degradation of PGC-1alpha

Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai). 2011 Aug;43(8):589-94. doi: 10.1093/abbs/gmr053. Epub 2011 Jul 5.

Abstract

Hepatic gluconeogenesis plays a crucial role in glucose homeostasis. Although it is well established that various cellular processes are modulated by DNA damage, whether the DNA damage signaling pathway regulates gluconeogenesis has not yet been studied. In this study, we found that mRNA levels of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6P), key enzymes for gluconeogenesis, were dramatically decreased upon IR- and UV-irradiation. PEPCK and G6P promoter activities were also suppressed by IR- and UV-irradiation, suggesting that PEPCK and G6P gene transcription are down-regulated upon DNA damage. We also found that the protein level of PGC-1α, which is a critical transcription factor for PEPCK gene expression, is decreased upon UV-irradiation. The decreased PGC-1α protein level was abolished by MG132, a potent proteasome inhibitor, suggesting that PGC-1α is degraded through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway upon UV-irradiation. These results reveal a novel link between glucose metabolism and the DNA damage signaling pathway and suggest a possible role for PEPCK and G6P in the DNA damage response.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • DNA Damage*
  • DNA Primers
  • Down-Regulation*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic*
  • Glucose-6-Phosphatase / genetics*
  • Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Hydrolysis
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha
  • Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (ATP) / genetics*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Ultraviolet Rays

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Heat-Shock Proteins
  • PPARGC1A protein, human
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha
  • Transcription Factors
  • Glucose-6-Phosphatase
  • Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (ATP)