Abstract
Elevated glucocorticoid levels are common in conditions such as aging, chronic stress, Cushing syndrome, and glucocorticoid therapy. While glucocorticoids suppress inflammation through the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), they also cause metabolic side effects. Investigating alternative pathways beyond GR activation is crucial for reducing these side effects. Our phosphoproteomics analysis revealed that glucocorticoid exposure promotes phosphorylation at the RxxS motifs of multiple proteins in preadipocytes, including those mediated by serum- and glucocorticoid-induced kinase 3 (SGK3). SGK3 is a key mediator of glucocorticoid-induced adipogenesis, as shown by impaired adipogenesis after SGK3 inhibition or genetic ablation. Sgk3-KO mice were resistant to obesity induced by glucocorticoid or a high-fat diet, and proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTAC) targeting SGK3 reduced adipogenesis in both obese mice and in a thyroid eye disease cell line. Mechanistically, SGK3 translocated to the nucleus upon glucocorticoid stimulation, interacted with and phosphorylated the BRG1 subunit of the BAF complex, and prevented BRG1 degradation, promoting chromatin remodeling necessary for adipogenesis. These findings highlight SGK3 as a potential therapeutic target to mitigate metabolic side effects of elevated glucocorticoid levels.
Authors
Qilong Chen, Jialu Guo, Yuyi Liu, Tai Du, Jiapei Liu, Yuyao Zhang, Yuming Dai, Mengdi Zhang, Ziqian Zhou, Qiyang Zhang, Caixia Wei, Qiurong Ding, Jun Qin, Qiwei Zhai, Ju Qiu, Mengle Shao, Fang Zhang, Alexander A. Soukas, Ben Zhou
Figure 7
SGK3 regulates differentiation-associated chromatin remodeling via BRG1.
Copyright © 2026 American Society for Clinical Investigation
ISSN: 0021-9738 (print), 1558-8238 (online)