ER stress-induced upregulation of NNMT contributes to alcohol-related fatty liver development

In this study, we have identified ER stress-induced upregulation of liver nicotinamide methyltransferase (NNMT), the enzyme catalyzing nicotinamide degradation using s-adenosylmethionine as a methyl donor, to be a pathological regulator in alcoholic fatty liver development. NNMT inhibition protects against fatty liver development resulted from chronic alcohol consumption, which is associated with suppressed de novo lipogenic activity and enhanced AMPK activation. Thus, our data suggest that NNMT may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of alcoholic liver disease.
Source: Journal of Hepatology - Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Source Type: research