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Epigenetic modification increases skeletal muscle resilience to metabolic stress

Genetic deletion of Kdm2a or pharmacological blockade of KDM2A, a histone 3 demethylase, in skeletal muscle shifts fuel preference from glucose to lipids under cold challenge in mice fed a high-fat diet. KDM2A loss increases the proportion of mitochondria-rich, slow-twitch myofibres, conferring flexible protection against metabolic stress.

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Fig. 1: Kdm2a deletion promotes transition to slow-twitch myofibres and improves lipid deposition.

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This is a summary of: Wang, Y. et al. Kdm2a inhibition in skeletal muscle improves metabolic flexibility in obesity. Nat. Metab. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-024-01210-9 (2025).

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Epigenetic modification increases skeletal muscle resilience to metabolic stress. Nat Metab 7, 251–252 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-024-01211-8

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