Rev-erbα and Rev-erbβ coordinately protect the circadian clock and normal metabolic function

Genes Dev. 2012 Apr 1;26(7):657-67. doi: 10.1101/gad.186858.112.

Abstract

The nuclear receptor Rev-erbα regulates circadian rhythm and metabolism, but its effects are modest and it has been considered to be a secondary regulator of the cell-autonomous clock. Here we report that depletion of Rev-erbα together with closely related Rev-erbβ has dramatic effects on the cell-autonomous clock as well as hepatic lipid metabolism. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts were rendered arrhythmic by depletion of both Rev-erbs. In mouse livers, Rev-erbβ mRNA and protein levels oscillate with a diurnal pattern similar to that of Rev-erbα, and both Rev-erbs are recruited to a remarkably similar set of binding sites across the genome, enriched near metabolic genes. Depletion of both Rev-erbs in liver synergistically derepresses several metabolic genes as well as genes that control the positive limb of the molecular clock. Moreover, deficiency of both Rev-erbs causes marked hepatic steatosis, in contrast to relatively subtle changes upon loss of either subtype alone. These findings establish the two Rev-erbs as major regulators of both clock function and metabolism, displaying a level of subtype collaboration that is unusual among nuclear receptors but common among core clock proteins, protecting the organism from major perturbations in circadian and metabolic physiology.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Circadian Rhythm*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Genome
  • Histone Deacetylases / metabolism
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Nuclear Receptor Co-Repressor 1 / genetics
  • Nuclear Receptor Co-Repressor 1 / metabolism
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group D, Member 1 / deficiency
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group D, Member 1 / genetics*
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group D, Member 1 / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / deficiency
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / genetics*
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / metabolism
  • Repressor Proteins / deficiency
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics*
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Nr1d1 protein, mouse
  • Nr1d2 protein, mouse
  • Nuclear Receptor Co-Repressor 1
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group D, Member 1
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Histone Deacetylases
  • histone deacetylase 3