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. 2012 May 11;336(6082):675-6.
doi: 10.1126/science.1222646.

Cell biology. FGF21 takes a fat bite

Carles Cantó  1 , Johan Auwerx
Affiliations

Cell biology. FGF21 takes a fat bite

Carles Cantó et al. Science. .

Abstract

Recent research exposed an intricate signaling network linking FGF21, PPARγ, PGC-1α, and adipocyte differentiation. While these findings define novel biological roles of FGF21 in adipose tissue, they also cast a shadow of doubt over its preconceived function as a fasting hormone.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. FGF21 systemic and local actions
New reports highlight how FGF21 can act in an auto/paracrine manner in white adipose tissue upon different stimuli. Left arrow - Auto/paracrine effects: Feeding and PPARγ agonists, such as TZDs, prompt local FGF21 expression in white adipocytes, which enhances the ability to store fat and contributes to the gain in fat mass induced by TZDs. Similarly, FGF21 mediates bone frailty induced by TZDs. Cold-exposure also promotes local FGF21 expression in the WAT, but in this case its action is driving the browning of white fat in order to improve thermogenesis. Right arrow - Endocrine effects: The liver is the major source of circulating FGF21. Fasting or PPARα agonists, such as fibrates, are the major stimulators of FGF21 release from the liver, which facilitates fasting-like adaptations, such as gluconeogenesis and fat oxidation, as well as thermogenesis in neonatal mice. Other tissues, such as brown fat upon cold exposure, can also release FGF21, although the impact of systemic FGF21 in this case is unknown
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