The mTOR-ETV5 signaling in gastric X/A like cells and its role in hepatic lipid metabolism and steatosis

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Our preliminary studies have identified a novel stomach-liver humoral axis. Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway in the gastric X/A like cells coordinates nutrient availability with the hepatic lipid metabolism via ghrelin. Our studies have also identified ETV5, an ETS-related transcriptional factor, as the novel downstream target of mTOR signaling. Further, ETV5 alters the expression of ghrelin O-acyltransferase and subsequent acylation of ghrelin. Although X/A like cells in the stomach produce and secrete both acyl- and desacyl-ghrelin, only acyl-ghrelin binds and activates its receptor: growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHSR1a). Acyl-ghrelin was originally demonstrated to act via the hypothalamus to stimulate food intake. Our data now indicate that acyl-ghrelin regulates hepatic lipid synthesis via its direct action on hepatocytes. We thus propose four aims to investigate the functions of gastric mTOR-ETV5 signaling pathway in the production and secretion of acyl-ghrelin and its effects on hepatic lipid metabolism. Aim 1 will establish ETV5 as the downstream target of mTOR, mediating its unique regulation of ghrelin acylation in X/A like cells. Aim 2, using transgenic mice in which mTOR signaling in gastric X/A like cells is either activated or suppressed, will demonstrate that gastric mTOR signaling affects hepatic lipid metabolism and the development of hepatic steatosis induced by a high-fat diet. Aim 3 will examine whether ETV5 in gastric X/A like cells alters hepatic lipid metabolism and the development of hepatic steatosis induced by a high-fat diet, using mice in which ETV5 gene expression in gastric X/A like cells is altered. Aim 4 will determine whether acyl-ghrelin mediates the effects of gastric mTOR on hepatic lipid metabolism via its activation of GHSR1a on hepatocytes, Kupffer cells and/or hypothalamic (HTH) neurons. We will use cell biological and transgenic techniques to achieve these goals. Completion of this proposal will advance a completely new therapeutic approach for NAFLD, one directed at gastric sites.