Fig. 3: Fasting-induced FGF21 promotes hepatic autophagy.

a–c FGF21 floxed or FGF21-LKO mice were fasted (Fs) for 24 h, or refed (Fd) for 24 h after fasting. a LC3 and p62 levels in liver extracts detected by IB. The ratios of the LC3-II/I and p62 band intensities are shown below the blot. (n = 3 mice). b LC3 or p62 was detected by IHC analysis. Representative images of liver sections and the average number of LC3-II puncta/cell (right, n = 10 hepatocytes) are shown (scale bar = 10 μm for LC3, 50 μm for p62). c The mRNA levels of the indicated genes measured by q-RTPCR (n = 5–8 mice). d The indicated hepatic proteins detected by IB with the ratios of the LC3-II/I with the band intensities of p62 relative to the first lane shown below the blot (n = 3 mice). e, f C57BL/6 mice were treated with FGF21 (0.1 mg/kg) for 3 h. e Effects of FGF21 on occupancy of JMJD3 (left) and H3K27-me3 levels (right) at the indicated genes (n = 3 mice). f Hepatic mRNA levels measured by q-RTPCR (n = 6–8 mice). g Effects of siRNA-mediated downregulation of FGF21 on levels of indicated proteins in PMH incubated with M199 or HBSS medium. h PMH were transfected with siFGF21 or control RNA for 48 h and infected with Ad-JMJD3 or Ad-empty for 24 h. Cells were cultured in serum-free or complete M199 medium for 12 h and levels of the indicated proteins were determined by IB (n = 2 culture dishes). Source data are provided as a Source Data file. All values are presented as mean ± SD. Statistical significance was measured using the f Mann–Whitney test or b, c, e two-way ANOVA with the Bonferroni post-test. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, and NS statistically not significant.