Abstract 327: Cardiac Regulation of Metabolic Homeostasis by Med13
Alterations in metabolism are a major component of cardiovascular disease associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. The complex interplay between these three diseases poses a challenge for successful treatment and warrants further studies directed at understanding the intertissue communication between major metabolic organs. We previously identified a signaling pathway within the heart that modulates systemic energy homeostasis by regulation of Med13, a component of the kinase submodule of the Mediator Complex, in the heart. The Mediator Complex is a large, multiprotein complex that functions to integrate signal specific events with transcriptional activation and elongation in a context dependent manner. Our current work further delineates a mechanism by which Med13 in the heart functions to regulate whole body energy homeostasis. The increase in energy expenditure in Med13 transgenic (TG) mice is due in part to increased triglyceride uptake and beta-oxidation in white adipose tissue and liver. Additionally, the expression of Krebs Cycle and fatty acid oxidation genes are increased in adipose tissue and liver as measured by RNA seq and in metabolite production in Med13 Tg mice. Together, these results demonstrate the Mediator Complex regulates cardiac gene expression and metabolite production which communicates with energy depots within the body to modulate whole body energy homeostasis.