Hepatic Dyrk1b regulates whole body glucose homeostasis by modulating Wbp2 expression

Illuminating the mechanisms controlling glucose homeostasis may deepen our understanding of the pathogenesis of T2DM and provide new therapeutic strategies for T2DM in future. As reported, Dyrk1b is a pleiotropic protein and its genetic mutations associate with blood glucose levels. Yet, its role in glucose metabolism remains to be established. Herein, we invetigate the role of Dyrk1b in glucose metabolism and the underlying mechanisms. We find that hepatic Dyrk1b overexpression in mice impairs the glucose tolerance and insulin resistance, whereas global Dyrk1b deficiency improves glucose metabolism of mcie. Dyrk1b overexpression in vitro blunts insulin signalling and glucose uptake. Quantitative proteomic analyses further reveal that Wbp2 is a putative target of Dyrk1b. Importantly, hepatic Wbp2 restoration rescues the glucose homeostasis in Dyrk1b overexpression mice. Additionally, ATAC-seq analyses indicate Dyrk1b’s role in remodelling hepatic chromatin landscape. Collectively, our study uncovers a novel link between hepatic Dyrk1b and whole body glucose homeostasis via modulation of hepatic Wbp2 expression.