PGC-1alpha negatively regulates hepatic FGF21 expression by modulating the heme/Rev-Erb(alpha) axis.

FGF21 is a hormone produced in liver and fat that dramatically improves peripheral insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism. We show here that obese mice with genetically reduced levels of a key hepatic transcriptional coactivator, PGC-1alpha, have improved whole-body insulin sensitivity with increased levels of hepatic and circulating FGF21. Gain- and loss-of-function studies in primary mouse hepatocytes show that hepatic FGF21 levels are regulated by the expression of PGC-1alpha. Importantly, PGC-1alpha-mediated reduction of FGF21 expression is dependent on Rev-Erbalpha and the expression of ALAS-1. ALAS-1 is a PGC-1alpha target gene and the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of heme, a ligand for Rev-Erbalpha. Modulation of intracellular heme levels mimics the effect of PGC-1alpha on FGF21 expression, and inhibition of heme biosynthesis completely abrogates the down-regulation of FGF21 in response to PGC-1alpha. Thus, PGC-1alpha can impact hepatic and systemic metabolism by regulating the levels of a nuclear receptor ligand.