Nature Research, Nature Communications, 1(12), 2021
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27307-3
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AbstractGrowing evidence supports the importance of the p53 tumor suppressor in metabolism but the mechanisms underlying p53-mediated control of metabolism remain poorly understood. Here, we identify the multifunctional E4F1 protein as a key regulator of p53 metabolic functions in adipocytes. While E4F1 expression is upregulated during obesity, E4f1 inactivation in mouse adipose tissue results in a lean phenotype associated with insulin resistance and protection against induced obesity. Adipocytes lacking E4F1 activate a p53-dependent transcriptional program involved in lipid metabolism. The direct interaction between E4F1 and p53 and their co-recruitment to the Steaoryl-CoA Desaturase-1 locus play an important role to regulate monounsaturated fatty acids synthesis in adipocytes. Consistent with the role of this E4F1-p53-Steaoryl-CoA Desaturase-1 axis in adipocytes, p53 inactivation or diet complementation with oleate partly restore adiposity and improve insulin sensitivity in E4F1-deficient mice. Altogether, our findings identify a crosstalk between E4F1 and p53 in the control of lipid metabolism in adipocytes that is relevant to obesity and insulin resistance.