Protection against diet-induced weight gain by a single-point mutation in Kir2.1 channels
- 1Department of Medicine, University of Illinois-Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
- 2Department of Physical Therapy, University of Illinois-Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
- 3Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE USA
Abstract
High-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity remains a significant global health challenge. In this study, we show that a global knock-in CRISPR mouse with the Kir2.1L222I single-point mutation exhibits remarkable resistance to HFD-induced weight gain. Specifically, Kir2.1L222I mutation preserves Kir2.1 currents in endothelial cells isolated from resistance arteries of overweight mice and confers protection against suppression by palmitic acid (PA), a fatty acid prevalent in obesity. Kir2.1L222I mutation also preserves endothelium-dependent flow-induced vasodilation (FIV) both in mice on HFD and in the presence of PA. Moreover, Kir2.1L222I confers significant protection against HFD-induced weight gain and adiposity in male mice independent of caloric intake: mutant mice gain significantly less weight on HFD, maintain body composition with higher % lean and lower % fat mass and have significantly smaller fat depots. These protective effects were independent of the food intake (the frequency and the size of the meals) and calories excreted in the feces, as no differences were found between Kir2.1WT and Kir2.1L222I mice on HFD. Notably, Kir2.1L222I mutation resulted in increased Respiratory Exchange Rate (RER), enhanced physical activity during wheel exercise and spontaneous movements in metabolic cages, as well as increased energy expenditure. These findings highlight Kir2.1 channels as potential therapeutic targets for obesity and related metabolic disorders.
Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-62892-7.
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BibTeX
@article{beverley2026protection,
title = {{Protection against diet-induced weight gain by a single-point mutation in Kir2.1 channels}},
author = {Katie M. Beverley and Marcos D. Munoz and Sang Joon Ahn and Sara T. Granados and Elizabeth Le Master and Shane A. Phillips and Ibra S. Fancher and Pingwen Xu and Irena Levitan},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-62892-7},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-62892-7},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Protection against diet-induced weight gain by a single-point mutation in Kir2.1 channels
AU - Katie M. Beverley
AU - Marcos D. Munoz
AU - Sang Joon Ahn
AU - Sara T. Granados
AU - Elizabeth Le Master
AU - Shane A. Phillips
AU - Ibra S. Fancher
AU - Pingwen Xu
AU - Irena Levitan
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/06
JO - Scientific Reports
DO - 10.1038/s41598-026-62892-7
UR - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-62892-7
AB - High-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity remains a significant global health challenge. In this study, we show that a global knock-in CRISPR mouse with the Kir2.1L222I single-point mutation exhibits remarkable resistance to HFD-induced weight gain. Specifically, Kir2.1L222I mutation preserves Kir2.1 currents in endothelial cells isolated from resistance arteries of overweight mice and confers protection against suppression by palmitic acid (PA), a fatty acid prevalent in obesity. Kir2.1L222I mutation also preserves endothelium-dependent flow-induced vasodilation (FIV) both in mice on HFD and in the presence of PA. Moreover, Kir2.1L222I confers significant protection against HFD-induced weight gain and adiposity in male mice independent of caloric intake: mutant mice gain significantly less weight on HFD, maintain body composition with higher % lean and lower % fat mass and have significantly smaller fat depots. These protective effects were independent of the food intake (the frequency and the size of the meals) and calories excreted in the feces, as no differences were found between Kir2.1WT and Kir2.1L222I mice on HFD. Notably, Kir2.1L222I mutation resulted in increased Respiratory Exchange Rate (RER), enhanced physical activity during wheel exercise and spontaneous movements in metabolic cages, as well as increased energy expenditure. These findings highlight Kir2.1 channels as potential therapeutic targets for obesity and related metabolic disorders. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-62892-7.
SN - 2045-2322
ER -