NFIA Determines the -effect of Genetic Variation on Ucp1 Expression in Murine Thermogenic Adipocytes

Thermogenic brown and beige adipocytes counteract obesity by enhancing energy dissipation via uncoupling protein-1 (Ucp1). However, the effect of genetic variation on these cells, a major source of disease susceptibility, has been less well studied. Here we examined beige adipocytes from obesity-prone C57BL/6J (B6) and obesity-resistant 129X1/SvJ (129) mouse strains and identified a -regulatory variant rs47238345 that is responsible for differential Ucp1 expression. The alternative T allele of rs47238345 at the -12kb enhancer in 129 facilitates the allele-specific binding of nuclear factor I-A (NFIA) to mediate allele-specific enhancer-promoter interaction and transcription. Furthermore, CRISPR-Cas9/Cpf1-mediated single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) editing of rs47238345 resulted in increased Ucp1 expression. We also identified Lim homeobox protein 8 (Lhx8), whose expression is higher in 129 than in B6, as a acting regulator of Ucp1 in mice and humans. These results demonstrate the - and acting effects of genetic variation on Ucp1 expression that underlie phenotypic diversity.