Activation of thermogenesis in brown and beige fat has emerged as a potential strategy to improve metabolic health. Now, Svensson et al. identify SLIT2, a member of the SLIT extracellular protein family, as a PR domain zinc finger protein 16 (PRDM16)-regulated secreted factor from beige fat cells. Upon secretion, SLIT2 is processed proteolytically to release a plasma-soluble carboxy-terminal protein (SLIT2-C). SLIT2-C promoted adipocyte thermogenesis through induction of protein kinase A (PKA) signalling, resulting in augmented energy expenditure and improved glucose homeostasis when injected into diet-induced obese mice.
References
Svensson, K. J. et al. A secreted Slit2 fragment regulates adipose tissue thermogenesis and metabolic function. Cell Metab. 23, 454–466 (2016)
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Crunkhorn, S. Beige cells secrete thermogenic factor. Nat Rev Drug Discov 15, 310 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrd.2016.77
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrd.2016.77
