Mechanism of autophagy activation in exercise-induced anti-diabetic benefits

Physical exercise exerts beneficial effects against type 2 diabetes (T2D), but the mechanisms by which exercise induces systemic metabolic benefits are unclear. We recently discovered that activation of autophagy, a lysosomal degradation pathway, in non-contractile tissues during exercise, via exercise-stimulated muscle-secreted fibronectin (Fn1) and downstream pathways, may play an important role in the regulation of exercise-induced insulin sensitization. In this proposal, we will demonstrate the role and mechanism of autophagy activation in non-contractile tissues in driving exercise-induced metabolic benefits against T2D.