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Updated: Jun 26, 2025

A Fluorescence-based Assay for Characterization and Quantification of Lipid Droplet Formation in Human Intestinal Organoids
Published on: October 13, 2019
HuR promotes triglyceride synthesis and intestinal fat absorption
Cihang Liu1, Yunping Lin2, Ying Wang2
1Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Protein Posttranslational Modifications and Cell Function, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100191, China.
Abstract:
Triacylglyceride (TAG) synthesis in the small intestine determines the absorption of dietary fat, but the underlying mechanisms remain to be further studied. Here, we report that the RNA-binding protein HuR (ELAVL1) promotes TAG synthesis in the small intestine. HuR associates with the 3' UTR of Dgat2 mRNA and intron 1 of Mgat2 pre-mRNA. Association of HuR with Dgat2 3' UTR stabilizes Dgat2 mRNA, while association of HuR with intron 1 of Mgat2 pre-mRNA promotes the processing of Mgat2 pre-mRNA. Intestinal epithelium-specific HuR knockout reduces the expression of DGAT2 and MGAT2, thereby reducing the dietary fat absorption through TAG synthesis and mitigating high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and obesity. Our findings highlight a critical role of HuR in promoting dietary fat absorption.
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