The clock gene Rev-erbα regulates pancreatic β-cell function: modulation by leptin and high-fat diet

Disturbances of circadian rhythms have been associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. The nuclear receptor Rev-erbα was suggested to link circadian rhythms and metabolism in peripheral tissues. The aim of the present study was to dissect the role of this clock gene in the pancreatic β-cell function and to analyze whether its expression is modulated by leptin and diet-induced obesity. To address the function of Rev-erbα, we used small interfering RNA in mouse islet cells and in MIN-6 cells. Cell proliferation was measured by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation, apoptosis by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling technique, insulin secretion by RIA, and gene expression by RT-PCR. Pancreatic islets were isolated at different zeitgeber times 0, 6, and 12 after 6 wk of high-fat diet treatment, and then gene expression and insulin secretion were determined. Rev-erbα down-regulation by small interfering RNA treatment in islet cells and MIN-6 cells impaired glucose-induced insulin secretion, decreased the expression of key lipogenic genes, and inhibited β-cell proliferation. In vivo and in vitro leptin treatment increased Rev-erbα expression in isolated islets through a MAPK pathway. High-fat diet treatment disrupted the circadian Rev-erbα gene expression profile along with insulin secretion, indicating an important role of this clock gene in β-cell function. These results indicate that the clock gene Rev-erbα plays multiple functions in the pancreatic β-cell. Although the increase in Rev-erbα expression may promote β-cell adaptation in different metabolic situations, its deregulation may lead to altered β-cell function.