RAP1 Protects from Obesity through Its Extratelomeric Role Regulating Gene Expression

RAP1 is part of shelterin, the protective complex at telomeres. RAP1 also binds along chromosome arms, where it is proposed to regulate gene expression. To investigate the nontelomeric roles of RAP1 in vivo, we generated a RAP1 whole-body knockout mouse. These mice show early onset of obesity, which is more severe in females than in males. Rap1-deficient mice show accumulation of abdominal fat, hepatic steatosis, and high-fasting plasma levels of insulin, glucose, cholesterol, and alanine aminotransferase. Gene expression analyses of liver and visceral white fat from Rap1-deficient mice before the onset of obesity show deregulation of metabolic programs, including fatty acid, glucose metabolism, and PPAR alpha signaling. We identify Ppar alpha and Pgc1 alpha as key factors affected by Rap1 deletion in the liver. We show that RAP1 binds to Ppar alpha and Pgc1 alpha loci and modulates their transcription. These findings reveal a role for a telomere-binding protein in the regulation of metabolism.