Circadian regulation of autophagy rhythm through transcription factor C/EBPβ

Abstract

Temporal organization of nutrient and energy metabolism is important for maintaining homeostasis in mammals. Autophagy is a conserved cellular pathway that is activated in response to nutrient limitation, resulting in the degradation of cytoplasmic components and the release of amino acids and other nutrients. Recently, we reported that autophagy exhibits robust circadian rhythm in mouse liver, accompanied by cyclic induction of genes involved in various steps of autophagy. Rhythmic activation of physiological autophagy appears to be regulated by transcription factor C/EBPβ, which is sufficient and required for nutritional and circadian regulation of autophagy gene expression. These findings provide new insight into transcriptional control of autophagy and reveal a potentially important role of autophagy cycles in metabolic homeostasis.

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Figures and Tables

Figure 1 Transcriptional regulation of circadian autophagy by C/EBPβ, C/EBPβ receives both circadian and nutritional input and coordinates the program of autophagy gene expression and autophagy flux. Rhythmic activation of autophagy may also be modulated by nutrient signaling pathways, such as those regulated by mTOR and AMPK, and contribute to nutrient and energy homeostasis in mammals through light/dark cycles.

Punctum to: Ma D, Panda S, Lin JD. Temporal orchestration of circadian autophagy rhythm by C/EBPβ. EMBO J 2011; 30:4642 - 4651; PMID: 21897364; http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/emboj.2011.322

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