Mitsuhiro Watanabe,
Keio University, Japan Poster
Title: Bile acid signaling, obesity and the metabolic syndrome
Biography
Biography: Mitsuhiro Watanabe,
Abstract
Bile acids (BAs), a group of structurally diverse molecules that are primarily synthesized in the liver from cholesterol, are the chief components of bile. Recent studies have revealed that BAs are not only facilitators of cholesterol homeostasis and dietary lipid absorption but also important signaling molecules exerting multiple physiological functions. Three major signaling pathways, including the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, the nuclear hormone receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR) mediated pathways and the G protein-coupled receptor TGR5/M-BAR mediated pathways, have been identified to be the targets of BAs. Through activation of these diverse signaling pathways, BAs can regulate their own enterohepatic circulation, but also triglyceride, energy, and glucose homeostasis. Latest studies revealed interaction between gut microbiota and bile acids are important to control diseases. Thus, BA-controlled signaling pathways are promising novel drug targets to treat common metabolic diseases, such as obesity, NAFLD, type II diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and atherosclerosis. (Up to 250 words)