Activation of TR4 orphan nuclear receptor gene promoter by cAMP/PKA and C/EBP signaling

In earlier studies, we had suggested that the fasting signal induces TR4 orphan nuclear receptor expression in vivo. The detailed mechanism(s), however, remain unclear. In this study, we found that cAMP/PKA, the mediator of fasting and glucagon signals, could induce TR4 gene expression that in turn modulates gluconeogenesis. Mechanistic dissection by in vitro studies in hepatocytes demonstrated that cAMP/PKA might trigger C/EBP α and β binding to the selective cAMP response element, which is located at the TR4 promoter, thus inducing TR4 transcription. We also demonstrated that the binding activity of C/EBPs to the TR4 promoter is increased in response to cAMP treatment. Together, our data identified a new signaling pathway from the fasting signal → cAMP/PKA → C/EBP α and β → TR4 → gluconeogenesis in hepatocytes; and suggested that TR4 could be an important regulator to control glucose homeostasis. The identification of activator(s)/inhibitor(s) or ligand(s) of TR4 may provide us an alternative way to control gluconeogenesis.