Cereblon enhances hepatic hepcidin production through estrogen-related receptor gamma activation

Hepcidin (encoded by the HAMP gene), produced primarily by hepatocytes, is the master regulator of systemic iron homeostasis. Its dysregulation contributes to various iron-related metabolic disorders. Cereblon (CRBN) has been implicated in metabolic regulation, while estrogen-related receptor gamma (ESRRG) is known to govern energy homeostasis and mitochondrial function. In this study, we demonstrate a novel CRBN-ESRRG signaling pathway that mediates endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced hepatic HAMP expression. In mice and primary hepatocytes exposed to tunicamycininduced ER stress, gene expression and biochemical analyses revealed significant increases in the transcript levels of hepatic Crbn, Esrrg, and Hamp. Correspondingly, hepcidin protein levels were elevated, accompanied by reduced serum iron levels and increased cellular iron levels, consistent with hepcidinmediated regulation of iron distribution. Overexpression of Crbn enhanced ESRRG expression and increased hepatic hepcidin production, while knockdown of either Crbn or Esrrg attenuated this response. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated enhanced recruitment of ESRRG to the Hamp promoter. Collectively, these findings identify a CRBN-ESRRG regulatory axis that drives hepatic HAMP expression under ER stress and suggest a potential therapeutic target for ER stress-associated metabolic and iron disorders. [BMB Reports 2026; 59(5): 291-298].