Genetic regulation of liver lipids in a mouse model of insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis

To elucidate the contributions of specific lipid species to metabolic traits, we integrated global hepatic lipid data with other omics measures and genetic data from a cohort of about 100 diverse inbred strains of mice fed a high-fat/high-sucrose diet for 8 weeks. Association mapping, correlation, structure analyses, and network modeling revealed pathways and genes underlying these interactions. In particular, our studies lead to the identification of Ifi203 and Map2k6 as regulators of hepatic phosphatidylcholine homeostasis and triacylglycerol accumulation, respectively. Our analyses highlight mechanisms for how genetic variation in hepatic lipidome can be linked to physiological and molecular phenotypes, such as microbiota composition.

Automated summary

This study integrated global hepatic lipid data with other omics measures and genetic data to elucidate the contributions of specific lipid species to metabolic traits. Pathways and genes underlying these interactions were revealed through association mapping, correlation, structure analyses, and network modeling. In particular, Ifi203 and Map2k6 were identified as regulators of hepatic phosphatidylcholine homeostasis and triacylglycerol accumulation, highlighting mechanisms for how genetic variation in hepatic lipidome can be linked to physiological and molecular phenotypes such as microbiota composition.