ETV5 Regulates Hepatic Fatty Acid Metabolism Through PPAR Signaling Pathway

ETV5 is an ETS transcription factor that has been associated with obesity in genomic association studies. However, little is known about the role of ETV5 in hepatic lipid metabolism and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. In the current study, we found that ETV5 protein expression was increased in diet- and genetically induced steatotic liver. ETV5 responded to the nutrient status in a mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1)-dependent manner and in turn, regulated mTORC1 activity. Both viral-mediated and genetic depletion of ETV5 in mice led to increased lipid accumulation in the liver. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling and fatty acid degradation/metabolism pathways were significantly downregulated in ETV5-deficient hepatocytes in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, ETV5 could bind to the PPAR response element region of downstream genes and enhance its transactivity. Collectively, our study identifies ETV5 as a novel transcription factor for the regulation of hepatic fatty acid metabolism, which is required for the optimal β-oxidation process. ETV5 may provide a therapeutic target for the treatment of hepatic steatosis.