Regulation of alternative splicing in obesity and weight loss

Alternative splicing (AS) is a mechanism by which multiple mRNA transcripts are generated from a single gene. According to recent reports approximately 95–100% of human multi-exon genes undergo AS. This increases the amount of functionally different protein isoforms, and in some cases leads to metabolic diseases. Herein we provide a brief overview of the basic aspects of splicing regulation in obesity and insulin resistance with specific examples. In addition, we review our recent findings demonstrating that weight loss regulates AS of TCF7L2 gene in both liver and adipose tissue, and that this splicing associates with changes in fatty acid and glucose metabolism. Future studies using global analysis of transcript variants and splicing regulators are needed for exploring the association of AS with metabolic alterations in obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind the aberrantly spliced transcripts may also provide opportunities for new diagnostic approaches.