journal article·2026-01Open access

Adenylosuccinate Synthase 1 Deficiency Improves Energy Metabolism by Promoting Adipose Tissue Re‐esterification via Glycerol Kinase Upregulation

Jingjing Sun, Miriayi Alimujiang, Wenfei Li, Shuqin Chen, Yingying Su, Tingting Hu, Xuhong Lu, Yafen Ye, Ningning Bai, Fan Hu, Xiaoya Li, Rongrong Xu, Jun Xu, Jiarui Zhao, Yan Lu, Xiaojing Ma, Ying Yang

Advanced Science· Volume 13· Issue 1

Abstract

Abstract Purine metabolism enzymes have a well‐established role in maintaining the nucleotide pool, thereby sustaining cellular energy homeostasis. Although reduced purine nucleotide concentrations have been reported can influence uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1)activity in thermogenic adipocytes, our study identifies adenylosuccinate synthase 1 (Adss1), an enzyme in de novo purine biosynthesis, as a critical regulator of metabolic remodeling in inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) through a mechanism distinct from UCP1 activity. Adipose‐specific Adss1 knockout mice showed increased energy expenditure and resistance to diet‐induced obesity with improved metabolic dysfunction. Loss of Adss1 upregulates glycerol kinase (Gk) expression, thereby stimulating glycerol‐dependent fatty acid re‐esterification in iWAT. This adaptation prevents lipotoxic accumulation of free fatty acids and drives lipid synthesis–oxidation cycling, activating thermogenic programs. The Adss1 deficiency‐driven iWAT browning and re‐esterification are abolished in adipose‐specific Adss1 and Gk double‐knockout mice, confirming the functional dependence on Gk. Mechanistically, Adss1 interacts with histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) in the cytosol of beige adipocytes, altering its nucleo‐cytoplasmic distribution. Adss1 deficiency reduced nuclear HDAC3 and increased cytosolic pools, which suppresses HDAC activity and enhances histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation at the Gk promoter, elevating Gk expression. Collectively, our findings reveal an unrecognized role of Adss1 in adipose physiology, highlighting its potential as a regulator of adipose energy metabolism.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Adipose Tissue and Metabolism · Cancer, Hypoxia, and Metabolism · Sirtuins and Resveratrol in Medicine

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism Shanghai Diabetes Institute Shanghai Clinical Center for Diabetes Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus Shanghai Key Clinical Center for Metabolic Disease Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai 200233 China

Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism Shanghai Geriatric Medical Center Shanghai 201100 China

Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University Shanghai 200032 China

Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University Ningbo Zhejiang 315010 China

Department of Endocrinology Shenzhen Second People's Hospital the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center of Shenzhen University Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases Shenzhen Center for Diabetes Control and Prevention Shenzhen Guangdong 518035 China

Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai 200233 China

College of Biological Science and Medical Engineering Donghua University Shanghai 200051 China

Institute of Metabolism and Regenerative Medicine Digestive Endoscopic Center Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai 200233 China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai Municipality · National Key Research and Development Program of China

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