Activation of the Crtc2/Creb1 transcriptional network in skeletal muscle enhances weight loss during intermittent fasting

Abstract

The Creb-Regulated Transcriptional Coactivator (Crtc) family of transcriptional coregulators drive Creb1-mediated transcription effects on metabolism in many tissues, but the in vivo effects of Crtc2/Creb1 transcription on skeletal muscle metabolism are not known. Skeletal muscle-specific overexpression of Crtc2 (Crtc 2 mice) induced greater mitochondrial activity, metabolic flux capacity for both carbohydrates and fats, improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, and increased oxidative capacity, supported by upregulation of key metabolic genes. Crtc2 overexpression led to greater weight loss during alternate day fasting (ADF), selective loss of fat rather than lean mass, supported by maintenance of higher energy expenditure during the fast. ADF downregulated most of the mitochondrial electron transport genes, and other regulators of mitochondrial function, that were substantially reversed by Crtc2-driven transcription. Glucocorticoids acted with AMPK to drive atrophy and mitophagy, which was reversed by Crtc2/Creb1 signaling. Crtc2/Creb1-mediated signaling coordinates metabolic adaptations in skeletal muscle that explain how Crtc2/Creb1 regulates metabolism and weight loss.