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Genetic deficiency for proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 2 in mice is associated with decreased adiposity and protection from dietary fat-induced body weight gain

International Journal of Obesity volume 34, pages 1599–1607 (2010)Cite this article

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Abstract

Background:

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/xexin type 2 (PCSK2) is an endoproteinase responsible for proteolytic activation of a number of precursors to active neuropeptides and peptide hormones, known to influence glucose homeostasis, food intake and ultimately body mass. In this study, we examined the consequences of PCSK2 deficiency on these phenotypic traits.

Study Design:

Weight gain with age under diets of different fat contents was monitored. White adipose tissue (WAT) and muscle masses were evaluated. Plasma levels of triglycerides, leptin, ghrelin, insulin and proglucagon-derived peptides were measured as well as leptin and acetyl coenzyme-α carboxylase (ACCα) mRNA levels in adipose tissue.

Results:

Compared with their Pcsk2+/+ littermates, Pcsk2−/− mice weighed significantly less as weanlings and as adults. As adults, they carried noticeably less fat mass, with similar lean muscle mass: their plasma leptin level and adipose tissue leptin mRNA level were accordingly lower. PCSK2 deficiency did not affect food intake or the level of the orexigenic hormone ghrelin. However, PCSK2 deficiency resulted in decreased plasma triglycerides and reduced ACCα mRNA levels in WAT. Interestingly, unlike their Pcsk2+/+ littermates, Pcsk2−/− were resistant to enhanced body weight gain when fed a high-fat diet. Consistent with a role of PCSK2 in body mass gain, diet-induced or genetically obese mice were found to contain significantly higher levels of PCSK2 mRNA in their brain and stomach than their lean counterparts.

Conclusion:

Collectively, these results suggest that PCSK2 contributes to increase in body mass through the various regulatory peptides generated through its action. It represents a potential target in the prevention and treatment of obesity.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Dr Donald F Steiner for permission to use the Pcsk2 knockout mouse generated in his laboratory and Dr Robert Day for providing the CD1-N4 congenic strain that he derived from it. We also thank Mrs Adriana Gambarotta for maintaining the mouse colony. This work was supported by grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Strauss Foundation. J Gagnon was supported by a Doctoral Scholarship from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and by the Dalhousie University President Award.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

    Y Anini & J Gagnon

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

    Y Anini & J Gagnon

  3. Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

    J Mayne, J Sherbafi, A Chen, N Kaefer, M Chrétien & M Mbikay

  4. Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

    M Chrétien & M Mbikay

  5. Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

    M Chrétien & M Mbikay

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Anini, Y., Mayne, J., Gagnon, J. et al. Genetic deficiency for proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 2 in mice is associated with decreased adiposity and protection from dietary fat-induced body weight gain. Int J Obes 34, 1599–1607 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2010.90

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