Forkhead Box Protein O1: Functional Diversity and Post-Translational Modification, a New Therapeutic Target?

Forkhead box protein O1 (FoXO1) is a transcription factor involved in the regulation of a wide variety of physiological process including glucose metabolism, lipogenesis, bone mass, apoptosis, and autophagy. FoXO1 dysfunction is involved in the pathophysiology of various diseases including metabolic diseases, atherosclerosis, and tumors. FoXO1 activity is regulated in response to different physiological or pathogenic conditions by changes in protein expression and post-translational modifications.

SREBP-2, a new target of metformin?

Background: Metformin, as the first-line treatment anti-diabetic drug, represents increasing evidence of a potential efficacy in improving dyslipidemia. However, the exact molecular mechanism(s) by which metformin influences lipid metabolism remains incompletely understood.

Methods: The HepG2 cells were treated with metformin and the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibitor compound C or a dominant-negative form of AMPK plasmid.