The Regulator of G Protein Signaling 14 Knockout Mouse, a Model of Healthful Longevity Protects Against Obesity and...

The Regulator of G Protein Signaling 14 (RGS14) knockout (KO) mouse is a model of healthful longevity, i.e., its lifespan is prolonged and demonstrates enhanced exercise performance and protection against heart disease and hypertension. In this investigation, we found the RGS14 KO mouse is also protected against obesity and glucose intolerance by promoting a low white adipose tissue (WAT) phenotype with increased brown adipose tissue (BAT). This was confirmed by lower body weight, lower white adipocyte size, increased metabolism and improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Upon examination of the white adipose tissue, RGS14 KO exhibited increased expression of "beiging" genes as well as significant increase in Uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) expression. The mechanism behind this protection was due to its unique brown adipose tissue. This was determined by BAT transplantation, which led to a reversal of phenotype, such that RGS14 BAT recipients developed protection similar to intact RGS14 KO mice, and the RGS14 KO BAT donors lost their protection. Thus, two novel mechanisms mediating obesity and glucose intolerance were found, i.e., inhibition of RGS14 and its BAT.