Regulation Of Insulin Signaling Research Articles

63Identification of insulin signaling pathway-related circulating circRNAs as biomarkers of type 2 diabetes

Abstract Background The underlying molecular mechanism of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is that abnormalities occur in the insulin signaling pathway. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in the development of diseases by regulating gene expression and become promising novel biomarkers for diseases. This study systematically screened and validated the insulin signaling pathway-related circulating circRNAs in T2D. Methods circRNA expression profiles were screened by microarray between five T2D patients and five healthy controls. The candidate circRNAs were then selected from those differently expressed circRNAs whose potential target miRNAs are involved in regulating key genes in the isulin signaling pathway. The expression of candidate circRNAs were validated in a second sample with 20 T2D cases and 20 controls by real-time quantitative PCR. Eventually, the association between circRNAs and T2D and their clinical significance were further confirmed in a large independent sample, including 103 T2D cases, 93 controls and 80 individuals with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) as prediabetes cases. Results Four circRNAs including hsa_circ_0063425, hsa_circ_0056891, hsa_circ_0078166 and hsa_circ_0071336 were validated by RT-qPCR. Low expressed circ_0063425, hsa_circ_0056891 and hsa_circ_0071336 were independent predictor of T2D, IFG and insulin resistance. The three-circRNA panel had a high accuracy for diagnosing T2D and IFG, especially when BMI was integrated. Bioinformatics Gene Ontology and pathway analysis confirmed that these circRNAs involve in the regulation of insulin signaling pathway. Conclusion circ_0063425, hsa_circ_0056891 and hsa_circ_0071336 are valuable circulating biomarkers for T2D, and may involve in regulating insulin signaling pathway. Key messages Insulin signaling pathway-related circulating circRNAs were identification as biomarkers of T2D.

JNK downregulation improves olanzapine-induced insulin resistance by suppressing IRS1Ser307 phosphorylation and reducing inflammation

Aimsc-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) plays pivotal roles in many physiological processes, including inflammation and glucose metabolism. However, the effects of JNK on olanzapine-induced insulin resistance and the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. The aim of our study was to explore the role of JNK in olanzapine-induced insulin resistance and the underlying mechanisms. MethodsWe studied glucose metabolism in olanzapine-treated female C57B/J mice and mice with adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated downregulation of JNK1 in epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT). 3T3-L1 adipocytes were used to investigate the mechanism of JNK1 regulating insulin signaling after olanzapine treatment. ResultsJNK was activated in eWAT after olanzapine treatment. JNK1 downregulation in eWAT ameliorated the insulin resistance and adipose tissue inflammation in olanzapine-treated mice. Furthermore, overexpression of JNK1 in adipocytes exacerbated the glucose disorder while JNK1 knockdown alleviated the impaired insulin signaling on olanzapine challenge, which was likely mediated by the reduced inflammation and insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) phosphorylation. Moreover, the effect of JNK1 was attenuated by downregulation of IRS1 in adipocytes. Finally, the JNK1-IRS1 interaction and IRS1S307 phosphorylation were required for JNK1-regulated olanzapine-induced insulin resistance in adipocytes. ConclusionsOur results demonstrated that JNK1 activation by olanzapine induced insulin resistance by promoting IRS1Ser307 phosphorylation and inflammation in eWAT. These results highlighted the importance of JNK1 in eWAT as a promising drug target for olanzapine-induced insulin resistance.

Single cell transcriptomics reveal trans-differentiation of pancreatic beta cells following inactivation of the TFIID subunit Taf4

Regulation of gene expression involves a complex and dynamic dialogue between transcription factors, chromatin remodelling and modification complexes and the basal transcription machinery. To address the function of the Taf4 subunit of general transcription factor TFIID in the regulation of insulin signalling, it was inactivated in adult murine pancreatic beta cells. Taf4 inactivation impacted the expression of critical genes involved in beta-cell function leading to increased glycaemia, lowered plasma insulin levels and defective glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. One week after Taf4-loss, single-cell RNA-seq revealed cells with mixed beta cell, alpha and/or delta cell identities as well as a beta cell population trans-differentiating into alpha-like cells. Computational analysis of single-cell RNA-seq defines how known critical beta cell and alpha cell determinants may act in combination with additional transcription factors and the NuRF chromatin remodelling complex to promote beta cell trans-differentiation.

Roles of MicroRNAs in Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in the Heart.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that participate in heart development and pathological processes mainly by silencing gene expression. Overwhelming evidence has suggested that miRNAs were involved in various cardiovascular pathological processes, including arrhythmias, ischemia-reperfusion injuries, dysregulation of angiogenesis, mitochondrial abnormalities, fibrosis, and maladaptive remodeling. Various miRNAs could regulate myocardial contractility, vascular proliferation, and mitochondrial function. Meanwhile, it was reported that miRNAs could manipulate nutrition metabolism, especially glucose and lipid metabolism, by regulating insulin signaling pathways, energy substrate transport/metabolism. Recently, increasing studies suggested that the abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism were closely associated with a broad spectrum of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Therefore, maintaining glucose and lipid metabolism homeostasis in the heart might be beneficial to CVD patients. In this review, we summarized the present knowledge of the functions of miRNAs in regulating cardiac glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as highlighted the miRNA-based therapies targeting cardiac glucose and lipid metabolism.

Stearoyl CoA Desaturase 1 and Inositol-Requiring Protein 1α Determine the Efficiency of Oleic Acid in Alleviating Silica Nanoparticle-Induced Insulin Resistance.

Despite the widespread use of silica nanoparticles (SiNPs), their metabolic impact and mechanisms of action have not been well studied. Exposure to SiNPs induces insulin resistance (IR) in hepatocytes by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress via inositol-requiring protein 1α (IRE1α) activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK). It has been well established that stearoyl CoA desaturase (SCD1) and its major product oleic acid elicited beneficial effects in restoring ER homeostasis. However, the potential coordination of SCD1 and IRE1α in determining SiNP regulation of insulin signaling is unclear. Herein, we investigated the effects of SCD1 and oleic acid on IR induced by SiNPs or thapsigargin in hepatocytes. SCD1 overexpression or oleic acid efficiently reversed SiNP-induced ER stress and IR, whereas the effects of thapsigargin treatment could not be restored. Thapsigargin diminished SCD1 protein levels, leading to the accumulation of IRE1α and sustained activation of the IRE1α/JNK pathway. Moreover, knockdown of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) upstream of SCD1 suppressed SiNP-induced SCD1 expression, rescued the activated IRE1α, and inhibited insulin signaling but was not able to restore the effects of thapsigargin. Collectively, downregulation of SCD1 and excess accumulation of IRE1α protein prevented the beneficial effects of exogenous oleic acid on IR induced by ER stress. Our results provide valuable mechanistic insights into the synergic regulation of IR by SiNPs and ER stress and suggest a combinational strategy to restore ER homeostasis by targeting SCD1 and IRE1α proteins, as well as supplementation of unsaturated fatty acids.

Edem1 activity in the fat body regulates insulin signalling and metabolic homeostasis in Drosophila.

In Drosophila, nutrient status is sensed by the fat body, a functional homolog of mammalian liver and white adipocytes. The fat body conveys nutrient information to insulin-producing cells through humoral factors which regulate Drosophila insulin-like peptide levels and insulin signalling. Insulin signalling has pleiotropic functions, which include the management of growth and metabolic pathways. Here, we report that Edem1 (endoplasmic reticulum degradation-enhancing α-mannosidase-like protein 1), an endoplasmic reticulum-resident protein involved in protein quality control, acts in the fat body to regulate insulin signalling and thereby the metabolic status in Drosophila Edem1 limits the fat body-derived Drosophila tumor necrosis factor-α Eiger activity on insulin-producing cells and maintains systemic insulin signalling in fed conditions. During food deprivation, edem1 gene expression levels drop, which aids in the reduction of systemic insulin signalling crucial for survival. Overall, we demonstrate that Edem1 plays a vital role in helping the organism to endure a fluctuating nutrient environment by managing insulin signalling and metabolic homeostasis.

Associations of INPPL1 (+1893CC/AA and + 2945AA/GG) exonic polymorphisms with the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in North Indian population: A case control study

Background and aimINPPL1 gene encodes a lipid phosphatase Src homology 2-containing 5′-inositol phosphatase 2 (SHIP2) which is involved in the negative regulation of insulin signaling. In the light of several association studies of INPPL1 gene polymorphisms with T2DM, and the absence of association studies from India, present study was conducted to assess the association of two SNPs of INPPL1 gene with T2DM risk in North Indian population. Material and methodTwo single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) (+1893CC/AA and + 2945AA/GG) in INPPL1 gene were genotyped in total of 270 subjects with PCR-RFLP genotyping method. ResultsIt was observed that, out of the two SNPs, only +1893CC/AA was found to be significantly associated with T2DM and frequency of A allele (C vs A, p = 0.002) has been found to be significantly higher in T2DM cases. Strong linkage disequilibrium was observed between two SNPs as assessed through D′ and r2 (D′ = 0.984, r2 = 0.009) and AG haplotype (OR = 3.59, 95% CI (1.59–9.80), p = 0.0015) was associated with increased risk of T2DM while CG haplotype (OR = 0.54, 95% CI (0.33–0.88) p = 0.012) significantly decreases the risk of developing T2DM. Regression analysis showed that SNP +1893CC/AA is associated with T2DM risk when adjusted for clinical/demographic variables. ConclusionResults showed that INPPL1 gene polymorphism +1893CC/AA may increase susceptibility to T2DM and ‘A' allele might be serving as a risk factor in development of T2DM in Indian population.

Allelic polymorphism at foxo contributes to local adaptation in Drosophila melanogaster.

The insulin/insulin-like growth factor signalling pathway has been hypothesized as a major determinant of life-history profiles that vary adaptively in natural populations. In Drosophila melanogaster, multiple components of this pathway vary predictably with latitude; this includes foxo, a conserved gene that regulates insulin signalling and has pleiotropic effects on a variety of fitness-associated traits. We hypothesized that allelic variation at foxo contributes to genetic variance for size-related traits that vary adaptively with latitude. We first examined patterns of variation among natural populations along a latitudinal transect in the eastern United States and show that thorax length, wing area, wing loading, and starvation tolerance exhibit significant latitudinal clines for both males and females but that development time does not vary predictably with latitude. We then generated recombinant outbred populations and show that naturally occurring allelic variation at foxo, which exhibits stronger clinality than expected, is associated with the same traits that vary with latitude in the natural populations. Our results suggest that allelic variation at foxo contributes to adaptive patterns of life-history variation in natural populations of this genetic model.

Ceramides and Sphingosino-1-Phosphate in Obesity.

Obesity is a growing worldwide problem, especially in developed countries. This disease adversely affects the quality of life and notably contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disorders. It is characterised by excessive lipids accumulation in the subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue. Considering the secretory function of adipose tissue, this leads to impaired adipokines and cytokines release. Changes in adipose tissue metabolism result in chronic inflammation, pancreatic islets dysfunction and peripheral insulin resistance. In addition to saturating various adipocytes, excess lipids are deposited into non-adipose peripheral tissues, which disturbs cell metabolism and causes a harmful effect known as lipotoxicity. Fatty acids are metabolised into bioactive lipids such as ceramides, from which sphingolipids are formed. Ceramides and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) are involved in intracellular signalling, cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. Studies demonstrate that bioactive lipids have a crucial role in regulating insulin signalling pathways, glucose homeostasis and β cell death. Data suggests that ceramides may have an opposite cellular effect than S1P; however, the role of S1P remains controversial. This review summarises the available data on ceramide and sphingolipid metabolism and their role in obesity.

ULK1 Regulates Hepatic Lipid Metabolism via Autophagy Independent Mechanisms

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a major complication of obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome has emerged as a leading cause of chronic liver disease and a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma. Autophagy is a critical pathway for the degradation of intracellular components by lysosomes. Established functions for autophagy in hepatic lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity suggest a mechanistic link between altered autophagy and NASH. However, the interactions between insulin sensitivity, NASH, and autophagy are incompletely understood. The Unc-51 Like Autophagy Activating Kinase 1 (ULK1) is the only serine/threonine kinase in the core autophagy pathway and thus represents an excellent drug target. In this study, we observed that ULK1 may directly regulate insulin signaling and lipid metabolism via mechanisms that might involve modulation of AKT dephosphorylation. Surprisingly, silencing ULK1 did not significantly alter autophagy in hepatocytes despite impairing insulin-stimulated activation of AKT. To further elucidate the autophagy-independent role of ULK1 in hepatic lipid metabolism and insulin action, ULK1 liver-specific knock-out mice were generated. L-ULK1 KO mice exhibited impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance on a normal chow diet or 60% high-fat diet (HFD). In young mice (4 weeks after birth), the expression of genes that regulate de novo lipogenesis, such as FAS, SCD1, and SREBP1-c were induced in livers of L-ULK1KO mice even prior to the development of insulin resistance and obesity. Hepatomegaly and lipid accumulation developed in L-ULK1KO on normal chow and was exacerbated relative to wild type mice on a HFD. Serum concentrations of insulin, triglyceride, cholesterol, AST and ALT were significantly increased. In contrast, L-ULK2 KO mice were phenotypically normal. To identify putative novel ULK1 targets, we conducted a phospho-proteomics screen in a ULK1 deficient hepatocyte cell line. We identified a relatively small number of novel proteins whose phosphorylation levels were reduced by ULK1 deficiency. The identification of these targets supports autophagy-independent mechanisms of action of ULK1. Recently, we confirmed that NCOA3, one of the targets regulates hepatic lipid metabolism by interacting directly with ULK1. These data suggest that ULK-1 may regulate cellular targets that regulate hepatic lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity.

Enhanced insulin‐responsive AS160 elicits cardioprotection during metabolic stress

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and cardiovascular mortality rates positively correlate with the presence of diabetes and metabolic syndrome. There is a consensus that abdominal obesity is a major driver in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome, with severe adverse effects on cardiovascular risk factors. In the midst of a growing recognition of the effect of adipose tissue dysfunction and adipokine imbalance on cardiovascular disease, a less-well understood mechanism is the effect of cardiac metabolism and function on systemic metabolic homeostasis. There is increasing recognition that signals produced by the heart can affect distant organ function; however, little is known regarding mechanistic links. While elevated GRK2 activity and expression occur early in cardiovascular disease and contribute to progression, ongoing studies show cardiac restricted expression of a short, amino terminal fragment of GRK2 (βARKnt) preserves cardiac structure and function during chronic pressure overload. Surprisingly, these studies revealed a significant decrease in gonadal fat weight, equivalent to human abdominal fat, in male βARKnt mice at baseline and following cardiac stress. In contrast, cardiac overexpression of GRK2 produces an overall lean phenotype, while the peptide inhibitor of GRK2 (βARKct) enhances the obesogenic phenotype. Proteomic analysis to identify βARKnt binding partners that may underlie the improved cardiovascular and metabolic phenotype uncovered a selective functional interaction of both endogenous GRK2 and βARKnt with AKT substrate of 160kDa (AS160). AS160 has emerged as a key downstream regulator of insulin signaling, integrating physiological and metabolic cues to couple energy demand to membrane recruitment of Glut4. Our preliminary data indicate that in βARKnt mice, cardiomyocyte insulin sensitivity is improved during stress, without metabolic switching. These mice demonstrate an ~23% increase in phosphorylated Akt, ~75% increase in phosphorylated and total AS160, and upregulation of the mTORC1 pathway. Seahorse of dissociated adult cardiomyocytes and Oroboros of fresh, permeabilized cardiac tissue exhibited enhanced spare respiratory activity and ATP production in the presence of glucose and palmitate. Unlike control mice that develop insulin resistance in response to high fat diet stress, the βARKnt mice demonstrate enhanced glucose tolerance and improved insulin sensitivity (glucose tolerance test area under curve (AUC) is 2958 vs 2354; insulin tolerance AUC is 1245 vs 991.7 at 14 weeks), increased energy expenditure, and enhanced cardiac function at 4 and 14 weeks. These data suggest that the enhanced AS160-mediated signaling in the βARKnt mice may ameliorate pathological cardiac remodeling through direct modulation of insulin signaling within cardiomyocytes, and translate these to beneficial effects on systemic metabolism. Ongoing studies seek to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of these beneficial effects, to gain insights into development of new therapeutic strategies for metabolic syndrome and obesity-related cardiovascular disease.

Virilizing doses of testosterone decrease circulating insulin levels and differentially regulate insulin signaling in liver and adipose tissue of females.

Transgender men undergoing hormone therapy are at risk for insulin resistance. However, how virilizing testosterone therapy affects serum insulin and peripheral insulin sensitivity in transgender men is unknown. This study assessed the effect of acute, virilizing testosterone on serum insulin concentrations and insulin signaling in liver, skeletal muscle, and white adipose tissue (WAT) of female pigs as a translational model for transgender men. Females received three doses of intramuscular testosterone cypionate (TEST females; 50 mg/day/pig) or corn oil (control) spaced 6 days apart starting on the day of estrus (D0). Fasting blood was collected on D0, D3, D5, D11, and D13, and females were euthanized on D13. On D13, TEST females had virilizing concentrations of serum testosterone with normal concentrations of serum estradiol. Virilizing serum testosterone concentrations (D13) were associated with decreased serum insulin and C-peptide concentrations. Blood glucose and serum glycerol concentrations were not altered by testosterone. Virilizing concentrations of testosterone downregulated AR and ESR1 in subcutaneous (sc) WAT and upregulated transcript levels of insulin-signaling pathway components in WAT and liver. At the protein level, virilizing testosterone concentrations were associated with increased PI3K 110α in liver and increased insulin receptor (INSR) and phospho(Ser256)-FOXO1 in visceral (v) WAT but decreased phospho(Ser473)-AKT in vWAT and scWAT. These results suggest that acute exposure to virilizing concentrations of testosterone suppresses circulating insulin levels and results in increased abundance of proteins in the insulin-signaling pathway in liver and altered phosphorylation of key proteins in control of insulin sensitivity in WAT.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Acute virilizing doses of testosterone administered to females suppress circulating insulin levels, upregulate components of the insulin-signaling pathway in liver, and suppress insulin signaling in white adipose tissue. These results suggest that insulin resistance in transgender men may be due to suppression of the insulin-signaling pathway and decreased insulin sensitivity in white adipose tissue.

Probiotics-rich emulsion improves insulin signalling in Palmitate/Oleate-challenged human hepatocarcinoma cells through the modulation of Fetuin-A/TLR4-JNK-NF-κB pathway

BackgroundFetuin-A, also known as α2-Heremans-Schmid glycoprotein (AHSG), is an abundant plasmatic serum protein synthesized predominantly in liver and adipose tissue. This glycoprotein is known to negatively regulate insulin signaling through the inhibition of insulin receptor (IR) autophosphorylation and tyrosine kinase activity, which participates in insulin resistance (IR) and metabolic syndrome development. Recent studies demonstrated that IR and associated metabolic disorders, are closely related to the gut microbiota and modulating it by probiotics could be effective in metabolic diseases management. ObjectiveIn this present work we aimed to evaluate the effects of a probiotics-rich emulsion on reducing the IR induced by free fatty acids accumulation in human hepatocarcinoma cell line, and to elucidate the implicated molecular pathways, with a specific emphasis on the hepatokin Fetuin-A-related axis. ResultsHere we showed, that probiotics improve HepG2 viability, protect against apoptosis under normal and IR conditions. Moreover, the emulsion was successful in attenuating oxidative stress as well as improving mitochondrial metabolism and dynamics. Interestingly, application of the probiotics to lipotoxic HepG2 cells resulted in significant reduction of Fetuin-A/TLR4/JNK/NF-κB pathway activation, which suggests a protective effect against inflammation, obesity as well as liver related insulin resistant. ConclusionOverall, the presented data reports clearly on the potent potential of probiotics formulated in an emulsion vehicle to enhance metabolic functions of affected IR HepG2 cells, and suggest the possibility of using such preparations as insulin sensitizing therapy, playing at the same time protective role for the development of liver related insulin resistant.

D-Chiro-Inositol Regulates Insulin Signaling in Human Adipocytes

D-Chiro-Inositol (D-Chiro-Ins) is a secondary messenger in the insulin signaling pathway. D-Chiro-Ins modulates insulin secretion, the mitochondrial respiratory chain, and glycogen storage. Due to these actions D-Chiro-Ins has been proposed to correct defective insulin function in a variety of conditions characterized by metabolic dysfunction, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), obesity, gestational diabetes and fat accumulation at menopause. Since it is unclear whether D-Chiro-Ins directly acts on adipocytes, we aimed to study D-Chiro-Ins’s actions on adipocyte viability, proliferation, differentiation, and insulin-related protein expression using a human adipocyte cell line derived from Simpson–Golabi–Behmel Syndrome (SGBS) which fully differentiates to mature adipocytes. Throughout differentiation, cells were treated with D-Chiro-Ins, 17β-estradiol (E2) or Insulin. Cell viability and proliferation were not affected by D-Chiro-Ins, then D-Chiro-Ins promoted cell differentiation only during the final days of the process, while E2 enhanced it from the first phases. D-Chiro-Ins stimulated lipid storage and the production of big lipid droplets, thus reducing the content of free fatty acids. We also found that D-Chiro-Ins, either alone or in combination with insulin and E2 increased the expression and activation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS1) and glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4). In conclusion, this work shows that D-Chiro-Ins plays a direct role in the differentiation and in the function of human adipocytes, where it synergizes with insulin and estrogen through the recruitment of signal transduction pathways involved in lipid and glucose storage. These findings give clear insights to better understand the actions of D-Chiro-Ins on fat metabolism in women in physiology and in a variety of diseases.

Water Extract of Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) Inhibits Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase-1B in Insulin-Resistant HepG2 Cells.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of mungbean water extract (MWE) on insulin downstream signaling in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells. Whole seed mungbean was extracted using boiling water, mimicking a traditional cooking method. Vitexin and isovitexin were identified in MWE. The results showed that MWE inhibited protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP)-1B (IC50 = 10 μg/mL), a negative regulator of insulin signaling. MWE enhanced cellular glucose uptake and altered expression of genes involved in glucose metabolism, including forkhead box O1 (FOXO1), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), and glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β in the insulin-resistant HepG2 cells. In addition, MWE inhibited both α-amylase (IC50 = 36.65 mg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC50 = 3.07 mg/mL). MWE also inhibited the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) (IC50 = 2.28 mg/mL). This is the first study to show that mungbean water extract increased cellular glucose uptake and improved insulin sensitivity of insulin-resistant HepG2 cells through PTP-1B inhibition and modulating the expression of genes related to glucose metabolism. This suggests that mungbean water extract has the potential to be a functional ingredient for diabetes.

GRK2 regulates GLP-1R-mediated early phase insulin secretion in vivo

BackgroundInsulin secretion from the pancreatic β-cell is finely modulated by different signals to allow an adequate control of glucose homeostasis. Incretin hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) act as key physiological potentiators of insulin release through binding to the G protein-coupled receptor GLP-1R. Another key regulator of insulin signaling is the Ser/Thr kinase G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2). However, whether GRK2 affects insulin secretion or if GRK2 can control incretin actions in vivo remains to be analyzed.ResultsUsing GRK2 hemizygous mice, isolated pancreatic islets, and model β-cell lines, we have uncovered a relevant physiological role for GRK2 as a regulator of incretin-mediated insulin secretion in vivo. Feeding, oral glucose gavage, or administration of GLP-1R agonists in animals with reduced GRK2 levels (GRK2+/− mice) resulted in enhanced early phase insulin release without affecting late phase secretion. In contrast, intraperitoneal glucose-induced insulin release was not affected. This effect was recapitulated in isolated islets and correlated with the increased size or priming efficacy of the readily releasable pool (RRP) of insulin granules that was observed in GRK2+/− mice. Using nanoBRET in β-cell lines, we found that stimulation of GLP-1R promoted GRK2 association to this receptor and that GRK2 protein and kinase activity were required for subsequent β-arrestin recruitment.ConclusionsOverall, our data suggest that GRK2 is an important negative modulator of GLP-1R-mediated insulin secretion and that GRK2-interfering strategies may favor β-cell insulin secretion specifically during the early phase, an effect that may carry interesting therapeutic applications.

Quantitative phosphoproteomic analysis of IRS1 in skeletal muscle from men with normal glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes: A case-control study

Background & aimsThe physiological regulation and contribution of the multiple phosphorylation sites of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance is unknown. Our aims were to map the phosphorylated motifs of IRS1 in skeletal muscle from people with normal glucose tolerance (NGT; n = 11) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM; n = 11). MethodsSkeletal muscle biopsies were obtained under fasted conditions or during a euglycemic clamp and IRS1 phosphorylation sites were identified by mass spectrometry. ResultsWe identified 33 phosphorylation sites in biopsies from fasted individuals, including 2 previously unreported sites ([Ser393] and [Thr1017]). In men with NGT and T2DM, insulin increased phosphorylation of 5 peptides covering 10 serine or threonine sites and decreased phosphorylation of 6 peptides covering 9 serine, threonine or tyrosine sites. Insulin-stimulation increased phosphorylation of 2 peptides, and decreased phosphorylation of 2 peptides only in men with NGT. Insulin increased phosphorylation of 2 peptides only in men with T2DM. ConclusionsDespite severe skeletal muscle insulin resistance, the pattern of IRS1 phosphorylation was not uniformly altered in T2DM. Our results contribute to the evolving understanding of the physiological regulation of insulin signaling and complement the comprehensive map of IRS1 phosphorylation in T2DM.

MG53 is not a critical regulator of insulin signaling pathway in skeletal muscle

In type 2 diabetes (T2D), both muscle and liver are severely resistant to insulin action. Muscle insulin resistance accounts for more than 80% of the impairment in total body glucose disposal in T2D patients and is often characterized by an impaired insulin signaling. Mitsugumin 53 (MG53), a muscle-specific TRIM family protein initially identified as a key regulator of cell membrane repair machinery has been suggested to be a critical regulator of muscle insulin signaling pathway by acting as ubiquitin E3 ligase targeting both the insulin receptor and insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1). Here, we show using in vitro and in vivo approaches that MG53 is not a critical regulator of insulin signaling and glucose homeostasis. First, MG53 expression is not consistently regulated in skeletal muscle from various preclinical models of insulin resistance. Second, MG53 gene knock-down in muscle cells does not lead to impaired insulin response as measured by Akt phosphorylation on Serine 473 and glucose uptake. Third, recombinant human MG53 does not alter insulin response in both differentiated C2C12 and human skeletal muscle cells. Fourth, ectopic expression of MG53 in HEK293 cells lacking endogenous MG53 expression fails to alter insulin response as measured by Akt phosphorylation. Finally, both male and female mg53 -/- mice were not resistant to high fat induced obesity and glucose intolerance compared to wild-type mice. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that MG53 is not a critical regulator of insulin signaling pathway in skeletal muscle.

A peptide of the amino-terminus of GRK2 induces hypertrophy and yet elicits cardioprotection after pressure overload

G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) kinase 2 (GRK2) expression and activity are elevated early on in response to several forms of cardiovascular stress and are a hallmark of heart failure. Interestingly, though, in addition to its well-characterized role in regulating GPCRs, mounting evidence suggests a GRK2 “interactome” that underlies a great diversity in its functional roles. Several such GRK2 interacting partners are important for adaptive and maladaptive myocyte growth; therefore, an understanding of domain-specific interactions with signaling and regulatory molecules could lead to novel targets for heart failure therapy. Herein, we subjected transgenic mice with cardiac restricted expression of a short, amino terminal fragment of GRK2 (βARKnt) to pressure overload and found that unlike their littermate controls or previous GRK2 fragments, they exhibited an increased left ventricular wall thickness and mass prior to cardiac stress that underwent proportional hypertrophic growth to controls after acute pressure overload. Importantly, despite this enlarged heart, βARKnt mice did not undergo the expected transition to heart failure observed in controls. Further, βARKnt expression limited adverse left ventricular remodeling and increased cell survival signaling. Proteomic analysis to identify βARKnt binding partners that may underlie the improved cardiovascular phenotype uncovered a selective functional interaction of both endogenous GRK2 and βARKnt with AKT substrate of 160 kDa (AS160). AS160 has emerged as a key downstream regulator of insulin signaling, integrating physiological and metabolic cues to couple energy demand to membrane recruitment of Glut4. Our preliminary data indicate that in βARKnt mice, cardiomyocyte insulin signaling is improved during stress, with a coordinate increase in spare respiratory activity and ATP production without metabolite switching. Surprisingly, these studies also revealed a significant decrease in gonadal fat weight, equivalent to human abdominal fat, in male βARKnt mice at baseline and following cardiac stress. These data suggest that the enhanced AS160-mediated signaling in the βARKnt mice may ameliorate pathological cardiac remodeling through direct modulation of insulin signaling within cardiomyocytes, and translate these to beneficial effects on systemic metabolism.

Benzyl Butyl Phthalate Induced Early lncRNA H19 Regulation in C3H10T1/2 Stem Cell Line.

Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals used in plastic manufacturing may contribute to the current obesity and diabetes epidemic. Our previous study demonstrated that benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) induced adipogenesis in the C3H10T1/2 stem cell line. Here we investigated if BBP deregulated long noncoding RNA H19 and its downstream pathway and whether BBP plays a role in the insulin signaling pathway during adipocyte diiferentiation. Cells treated with an 8 day BBP regimen showed that H19 expression was decreased at day 2 with 50 μM BBP exposure (p < 0.05). However, no significant changes were observed from day 4 to day 8. Expression of miRNA-103/107, H19 regulated miRNAs, was upregulated at day 2 (p < 0.05) but not from day 4 to day 8. Similarly, expression of the let-7 family members (a, b, c, d, f, and g) was also significantly increased at day 2 (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01), except for let-7e. Both let-7 and miRNA-103/107 are targets of H19 and play roles in insulin signaling. Insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1, one of the key insulin signal transduction regulators, was significantly downregulated from day 2 to day 8 (p < 0.05). Gene expression of insulin receptor (IR) and IRS-2 were not altered by BBP exposure. The ratio of IRS1/IRS2 was significantly decreased from day 2 to day 8. On day 4, phospho-Akt protein expression was significantly decreased (p < 0.05). In conclusion, BBP exposure may lead to metabolic dysregulation by altering vital epigenetic regulators such as lncRNA H19 and its target microRNAs at an earlier stage, which further regulates insulin signaling.