The gut microbiota suppresses insulin-mediated fat accumulation via the short-chain fatty acid receptor GPR43

The gut microbiota affects nutrient acquisition and energy regulation of the host, and can influence the development of obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes. During feeding, gut microbes produce short-chain fatty acids, which are important energy sources for the host. Here we show that the short-chain fatty acid receptor GPR43 links the metabolic activity of the gut microbiota with host body energy homoeostasis. We demonstrate that GPR43-deficient mice are obese on a normal diet, whereas mice overexpressing GPR43 specifically in adipose tissue remain lean even when fed a high-fat diet. Raised under germ-free conditions or after treatment with antibiotics, both types of mice have a normal phenotype. We…

• MO
  Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
• IF
  Inamori Foundation
• KM
  Kato Memorial Bioscience Foundation
• YB
  Yakult Bio-Science Foundation
• JS
  Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

  Award: 24590077
• JS
  Japan Science and Technology Agency