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Abstract Background Thyroid hormone responsive protein (THRSP) is a lipogenic nuclear protein that is highly expressed in murine adipose tissue, but its role in humans remains unknown. Methods We characterized the insulin regulation of THRSP in vivo in human adipose tissue biopsies and in vitro in Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome (SGBS) adipocytes. To this end, we measured whole-body insulin sensitivity using the euglycemic insulin clamp technique in 36 subjects [age 40 ± 9 years, body mass index (BMI) 27.3 ± 5.0 kg/m2]. Adipose tissue biopsies were obtained at baseline and after 180 and 360 min of euglycemic hyperinsulinemia for measurement of THRSP mRNA concentrations. To identify functions affected by THRSP, we performed a transcriptomic analysis of THRSP-silenced SGBS adipocytes. Mitochondrial function was assessed by measuring mitochondrial respiration as well as oxidation and uptake of radiolabeled oleate and glucose. Lipid composition in THRSP silencing was studied by lipidomic analysis. Results We found insulin to increase THRSP mRNA expression 5- and 8-fold after 180 and 360 min of in vivo euglycemic hyperinsulinemia. This induction was impaired in insulin-resistant subjects, and THRSP expression was closely correlated with whole-body insulin sensitivity. In vitro, insulin increased both THRSP mRNA and protein concentrations in SGBS adipocytes in a phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-dependent manner. A transcriptomic analysis of THRSP-silenced adipocytes showed alterations in mitochondrial functions and pathways of lipid metabolism, which were corroborated by significantly impaired mitochondrial respiration and fatty acid oxidation. A lipidomic analysis revealed decreased hexosylceramide concentrations, supported by the transcript concentrations of enzymes regulating sphingolipid metabolism. Conclusions THRSP is regulated by insulin both in vivo in human adipose tissue and in vitro in adipocytes, and its expression is downregulated by insulin resistance. As THRSP silencing decreases mitochondrial respiration and fatty acid oxidation, its downregulation in human adipose tissue could contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, disturbed sphingolipid metabolism could add to metabolic dysfunction in obese adipose tissue. more...

Golgi membrane protein 1 (GOLM1) is a Golgi-resident type 2 transmembrane protein known to be overexpressed in several cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as well as in viral infections. However, the role of GOLM1 in lipid metabolism remains enigmatic. In this study, we employed siRNA-mediated GOLM1 depletion in Huh-7 HCC cells to study the role of GOLM1 in lipid metabolism. Mass spectrometric lipidomic analysis in GOLM1 knockdown cells showed an aberrant accumulation of sphingolipids, such as ceramides, hexosylceramides, dihexosylceramides, sphinganine, sphingosine, and ceramide phosphate, along with cholesteryl esters. Furthermore, we observed a reduction in phosphatidylethanolamines and lysophosphatidylethanolamines. In addition, Seahorse extracellular flux analysis indicated a reduction in mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate upon GOLM1 depletion. Finally, alterations in Golgi structure and distribution were observed both by electron microscopy imaging and immunofluorescence microscopy analysis. Importantly, we found that GOLM1 depletion also affected cell proliferation and cell cycle progression in Huh-7 HCC cells. The Golgi structural defects induced by GOLM1 reduction might potentially affect the trafficking of proteins and lipids leading to distorted intracellular lipid homeostasis, which may result in organelle dysfunction and altered cell growth. In conclusion, we demonstrate that GOLM1 depletion affects sphingolipid metabolism, mitochondrial function, Golgi structure, and proliferation of HCC cells. more...

Large-scale interdependent teleconnections influence precipitation at various spatio-temporal scales. Selecting the relevant climate indices based on geographical location is important. Therefore, this study focuses on the spatial multivariate selection of climate indices influencing precipitation variability over India, using the partial least square regression and variable importance of projection technique. 17 climate indices and gridded precipitation dataset (0.25 × 0.25°) from the Indian Meteorological Department for 1951–2020 at a monthly scale are considered. Results show that among all the indices, Nino 4, Nino 1 + 2, Trans Nino Index, Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO), Arctic oscillation (AO), and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) have a significant influence on precipitation over India. Further, within homogenous regions, it is found that the Southern Oscillation Index and Nino 3.4 are selected majorly in the South Peninsular compared to other regions. The NAO/AO show a similar pattern and was found to be relevant in the Northeast region (>89%). AMO is selected mainly in Northwest, and West Central (>80%), AMO and QBO at about 70% of grid locations over Central Northeast India. It is to be noted that the number of climate indices identified varies spatially across the study region. Overall, the study highlights identifying the relevant climate indices would aid in developing improved predictive and parsimonious models for agriculture planning and water resources management more...