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B B Kahn

Publications and source records attributed to B B Kahn.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Role of AMP-activated protein kinase in leptin-induced fatty acid oxidation in muscle.

Leptin regulates energy homoeostasis through central and peripheral mechanisms. Initial steps in leptin action include signalling through a cytokine-like receptor which activates the JAK/STAT pathway. We investigated whether the metabolic effects of leptin in muscle could be mediated by the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMP kinase). Through studies involving leptin injection intrahypothalamically or intravenously, as well as incubation of soleus muscle or cultured muscle cells with leptin, we determined that leptin stimulates fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle by activating AMP kinase. Leptin exerts this effect directly at the level of muscle and also through the hypothalamic sympathetic nervous system, specifically engaging alpha-adrenergic receptors in muscle. This represents a novel and important pathway mediating leptin's metabolic actions.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinases↗
PubMed2002

Adiponectin stimulates glucose utilization and fatty-acid oxidation by activating AMP-activated protein kinase.

Adiponectin (Ad) is a hormone secreted by adipocytes that regulates energy homeostasis and glucose and lipid metabolism. However, the signaling pathways that mediate the metabolic effects of Ad remain poorly identified. Here we show that phosphorylation and activation of the 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) are stimulated with globular and full-length Ad in skeletal muscle and only with full-length Ad in the liver. In parallel with its activation of AMPK, Ad stimulates phosphorylation of acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC), fatty-acid oxidation, glucose uptake and lactate production in myocytes, phosphorylation of ACC and reduction of molecules involved in gluconeogenesis in the liver, and reduction of glucose levels in vivo. Blocking AMPK activation by dominant-negative mutant inhibits each of these effects, indicating that stimulation of glucose utilization and fatty-acid oxidation by Ad occurs through activation of AMPK. Our data may provide a novel paradigm that an adipocyte-derived antidiabetic hormone, Ad, activates AMPK, thereby directly regulating glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in vitro and in vivo.

Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase↗
PubMed2001

Overexpression of the LAR (leukocyte antigen-related) protein-tyrosine phosphatase in muscle causes insulin resistance.

Previous reports indicate that the expression and/or activity of the protein-tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) LAR are increased in insulin-responsive tissues of obese, insulin-resistant humans and rodents, but it is not known whether these alterations contribute to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. To address this question, we generated transgenic mice that overexpress human LAR, specifically in muscle, to levels comparable to those reported in insulin-resistant humans. In LAR-transgenic mice, fasting plasma insulin was increased 2.5-fold compared with wild-type controls, whereas fasting glucose was normal. Whole-body glucose disposal and glucose uptake into muscle in vivo were reduced by 39-50%. Insulin injection resulted in normal tyrosyl phosphorylation of the insulin receptor and insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) in muscle of transgenic mice. However, phosphorylation of IRS-2 was reduced by 62%, PI3' kinase activity associated with phosphotyrosine, IRS-1, or IRS-2 was reduced by 34-57%, and association of p85alpha with both IRS proteins was reduced by 39-52%. Thus, overexpression of LAR in muscle causes whole-body insulin resistance, most likely due to dephosphorylation of specific regulatory phosphotyrosines on IRS proteins. Our data suggest that increased expression and/or activity of LAR or related PTPs in insulin target tissues of obese humans may contribute to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Differential activation of protein kinase B and p70(S6)K by glucose and insulin-like growth factor 1 in pancreatic beta-cells (INS-1).

It has been shown that IGF-1-induced pancreatic beta-cell proliferation is glucose-dependent; however, the mechanisms responsible for this glucose dependence are not known. Adenoviral mediated expression of constitutively active phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) in the pancreatic beta-cells, INS-1, suggested that PI3K was not necessary for glucose-induced beta-cell proliferation but was required for IGF-1-induced mitogenesis. Examination of the signaling components downstream of PI3K, 3-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1, protein kinase B (PKB), glycogen synthase kinase-3, and p70-kDa-S6-kinase (p70(S6K)), suggested that a major part of glucose-dependent beta-cell proliferation requires activation of mammalian target of rapamycin/p70(S6K), independent of phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1/PKB activation. Adenoviral expression of the kinase-dead form of PKB in INS-1 cells decreased IGF-1-induced beta-cell proliferation. However, a surprisingly similar decrease was also observed in adenoviral wild type and constitutively active PKB-infected cells. Upon analysis of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/ERK2), an increase in ERK1/ERK2 phosphorylation activation by glucose and IGF-1 was observed in kinase-dead PKB-infected cells, but this phosphorylation activation was inhibited in the constitutively active PKB-infected cells. Hence, there is a requirement for the activation of both ERK1/ERK2 and mammalian target of rapamycin/p70(S6K) signal transduction pathways for a full commitment to glucose-induced pancreatic beta-cell mitogenesis. However, for IGF-1-induced activation, these pathways must be carefully balanced, because chronic activation of one (PI3K/PKB) can lead to dampening of the other (ERK1/2), reducing the mitogenic response.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed2001

Adipose-selective targeting of the GLUT4 gene impairs insulin action in muscle and liver.

The earliest defect in developing type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance, characterized by decreased glucose transport and metabolism in muscle and adipocytes. The glucose transporter GLUT4 mediates insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in adipocytes and muscle by rapidly moving from intracellular storage sites to the plasma membrane. In insulin-resistant states such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, GLUT4 expression is decreased in adipose tissue but preserved in muscle. Because skeletal muscle is the main site of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, the role of adipose tissue GLUT4 downregulation in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and diabetes is unclear. To determine the role of adipose GLUT4 in glucose homeostasis, we used Cre/loxP DNA recombination to generate mice with adipose-selective reduction of GLUT4 (G4A-/-). Here we show that these mice have normal growth and adipose mass despite markedly impaired insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in adipocytes. Although GLUT4 expression is preserved in muscle, these mice develop insulin resistance in muscle and liver, manifested by decreased biological responses and impaired activation of phosphoinositide-3-OH kinase. G4A-/- mice develop glucose intolerance and hyperinsulinaemia. Thus, downregulation of GLUT4 and glucose transport selectively in adipose tissue can cause insulin resistance and thereby increase the risk of developing diabetes.

Adipocytes↗
PubMed2001

Uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) stimulates glucose uptake in muscle cells through a phosphoinositide 3-kinase-dependent mechanism.

UCP3 is a mitochondrial membrane protein expressed in humans selectively in skeletal muscle. To determine the mechanisms by which UCP3 plays a role in regulating glucose metabolism, we expressed human UCP3 in L6 myotubes by adenovirus-mediated gene transfer and in H(9)C(2) cardiomyoblasts by stable transfection with a tetracycline-repressible UCP3 construct. Expression of UCP3 in L6 myotubes increased 2-deoxyglucose uptake 2-fold and cell surface GLUT4 2.3-fold, thereby reaching maximally insulin-stimulated levels in control myotubes. Wortmannin, LY 294002, or the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein abolished the effect of UCP3 on glucose uptake, and wortmannin inhibited UCP3-induced GLUT4 cell surface recruitment. UCP3 overexpression increased phosphotyrosine-associated phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activity 2.2-fold compared with control cells (p < 0.05). UCP3 overexpression increased lactate release 1.5- to 2-fold above control cells, indicating increased glucose metabolism. In H(9)C(2) cardiomyoblasts stably transfected with UCP3 under control of a tetracycline-repressible promotor, removal of doxycycline resulted in detectable levels of UCP3 at 12 h and 2.2-fold induction at 7 days compared with 12 h. In parallel, glucose transport increased 1.3- and 2-fold at 12 h and 7 days, respectively, and the stimulation was inhibited by wortmannin or genistein. p85 association with membranes was increased 5.5-fold and phosphotyrosine-associated PI3K activity 3.8-fold. In contrast, overexpression of UCP3 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes did not alter glucose uptake, suggesting tissue-specific effects of human UCP3. Thus, UCP3 stimulates glucose transport and GLUT4 translocation to the cell surface in cardiac and skeletal muscle cells by activating a PI3K dependent pathway.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed2001

Effect of aging and obesity on insulin responsiveness and glut-4 glucose transporter content in skeletal muscle of Fischer 344 x Brown Norway rats.

This study investigated the metabolic changes with age in the Fischer 344 x Brown Norway rat and its suitability as an animal model of postmaturational insulin resistance. Specifically, we determined whether an age-associated decrease in glucose disposal is associated with diminished whole body insulin responsiveness and/or a decrease in glucose transporter (GLUT-4) protein and mRNA content in medial gastrocnemius muscle of male Fischer 344 x Brown Norway rats of ages 8, 18, and 28 months. Fasting plasma glucose was unchanged with age. There was a significant age effect on visceral adiposity, fasting plasma insulin levels, insulin responsiveness, and GLUT-4 protein content. Insulin responsiveness and GLUT-4 protein were lower in the 18-month-old rats than in the 8-month-old rats. The findings of age-associated increases in visceral adiposity and insulin resistance, and decreases in GLUT-4 in the Fisher 344 x Brown Norway rat, suggest that this rat strain may be an appropriate model for studying the effects of aging on glucose homeostasis.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2001

Glucose toxicity and the development of diabetes in mice with muscle-specific inactivation of GLUT4.

Using cre/loxP gene targeting, transgenic mice with muscle-specific inactivation of the GLUT4 gene (muscle GLUT4 KO) were generated and shown to develop a diabetes phenotype. To determine the mechanism, we examined insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and metabolism during hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp in control and muscle GLUT4 KO mice before and after development of diabetes. Insulin-stimulated whole body glucose uptake was decreased by 55% in muscle GLUT4 KO mice, an effect that could be attributed to a 92% decrease in insulin-stimulated muscle glucose uptake. Surprisingly, insulin's ability to stimulate adipose tissue glucose uptake and suppress hepatic glucose production was significantly impaired in muscle GLUT4 KO mice. To address whether these latter changes were caused by glucose toxicity, we treated muscle GLUT4 KO mice with phloridzin to prevent hyperglycemia and found that insulin-stimulated whole body and skeletal muscle glucose uptake were decreased substantially, whereas insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in adipose tissue and suppression of hepatic glucose production were normal after phloridzin treatment. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that a primary defect in muscle glucose transport can lead to secondary defects in insulin action in adipose tissue and liver due to glucose toxicity. These secondary defects contribute to insulin resistance and to the development of diabetes.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2000

Overexpression of protein-tyrosine phosphatase-1B in adipocytes inhibits insulin-stimulated phosphoinositide 3-kinase activity without altering glucose transport or Akt/Protein kinase B activation.

Previous studies suggested that protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) antagonizes insulin action by catalyzing dephosphorylation of the insulin receptor (IR) and/or other key proteins in the insulin signaling pathway. In adipose tissue and muscle of obese humans and rodents, PTP1B expression is increased, which led to the hypothesis that PTP1B plays a role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. Consistent with this, mice in which the PTP1B gene was disrupted exhibit increased insulin sensitivity. To test whether increased expression of PTP1B in an insulin-sensitive cell type could contribute to insulin resistance, we overexpressed wild-type PTP1B in 3T3L1 adipocytes using adenovirus-mediated gene delivery. PTP1B expression was increased approximately 3-5-fold above endogenous levels at 16 h, approximately 14-fold at 40 h, and approximately 20-fold at 72 h post-transduction. Total protein-tyrosine phosphatase activity was increased by 50% at 16 h, 3-4-fold at 40 h, and 5-6-fold at 72 h post-transduction. Compared with control cells, cells expressing high levels of PTP1B showed a 50-60% decrease in maximally insulin-stimulated tyrosyl phosphorylation of IR and insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activity associated with IRS-1 or with phosphotyrosine. Akt phosphorylation and activity were unchanged. Phosphorylation of p42 and p44 MAP kinase (MAPK) was reduced approximately 32%. Overexpression of PTP1B had no effect on basal, submaximally or maximally (100 nm) insulin-stimulated glucose transport or on the EC(50) for transport. Our results suggest that: 1) insulin stimulation of glucose transport in adipocytes requires </=45% of maximal tyrosyl phosphorylation of IR or IRS-1 and <50% of maximal activation of PI3K, 2) a novel PI3K-independent pathway may play a role in insulin-induced glucose transport in adipocytes, and 3) overexpression of PTP1B alone in adipocytes does not impair glucose transport.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed2000

Functional analyses of amino acid substitutions Arg883Ser and Asp905Tyr of protein phosphatase-1 G-subunit.

The PPP1R3 gene encoding the G-subunit of protein phosphatase-1 has three polymorphisms in linkage disequilibrium in the Pima Indians: an mRNA-destabilizing element in the 3'-untranslated region (ARE1/ARE2 alleles), Arg883Ser, and Asp905Tyr substitutions. The ARE2 allele, Arg883, and Asp905 variants are associated with insulin resistance and higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the Pima Indians. The ARE2 allele is associated with lower PPP1R3 transcript and protein levels in muscle tissue. Here we determined the functional contribution of the amino acid substitutions independent of the ARE alleles to insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis by adenoviral-mediated gene expression in L6 myotubes. Similar overexpression levels of the G-subunit variants increased glycogen synthase fractional activity in the presence ( approximately 1. 5-fold) of insulin compared to control myotubes transduced with adenovirus encoding beta-galactosidase. The glycogen synthesis rate of myotubes overexpressing the G-subunit variants also increased by approximately 1.7-fold over the control with and without insulin. However, these measures were not significantly different among the variants. This study does not support a role for Arg883 and Asp905 variants independent of the ARE2 allele in the impaired insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis in the muscle of Pima Indians.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed2000

Adenovirus-mediated expression of a naturally occurring Asp905Tyr variant of the glycogen-associated regulatory subunit of protein phosphatase-1 in L6 myotubes.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The glycogen-associated protein phosphatase-1 (PP1G) is thought to play an important part in the regulation of skeletal muscle glycogen content. We have previously identified an Asp905Tyr polymorphism of the glycogen-associated regulatory subunit of the protein phosphatase 1 (PPP1R3) gene which among healthy subjects was associated with decreased insulin stimulated non-oxidative glucose metabolism, i.e. primary glycogen synthesis. In this study, the functional effect of the polymorphism was examined in vitro. METHODS: Wild type (PPP1R3-Asp905) and mutant (PPP1R3-Tyr905) PPP1R3 were expressed in L6 myotubes using adenovirus-mediated gene transfer. Basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis were measured. Furthermore, the sensitivity of glycogen synthesis to a cyclic AMP agonist was measured. RESULTS: Compared with green fluorescent protein-transduced myotubes and non-transduced myotubes, overexpression of PPP1R3-Asp905 and PPP1R3-Tyr905 increased both basal and insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis approximately twofold. Treatment of both non-transduced and PPP1R3-transduced L6 myotubes with a cAMP agonist decreased both basal and insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis by about 40%. Overexpression of PPP1R3 did not affect either basal or insulin-stimulated 2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake compared with green fluorescent protein-transduced cells. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: Results obtained from L6 myotubes transduced with PPP1R3-Asp905 or PPP1R3-Tyr905 showed no statistically significant difference. Therefore, the Asp905Tyr variant alone is unlikely to account for the decreased insulin stimulated non-oxidative glucose metabolism observed in the human study reported previously.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed2000

Targeted disruption of the glucose transporter 4 selectively in muscle causes insulin resistance and glucose intolerance.

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus is growing worldwide. By the year 2020, 250 million people will be afflicted. Most forms of type 2 diabetes are polygenic with complex inheritance patterns, and penetrance is strongly influenced by environmental factors. The specific genes involved are not yet known, but impaired glucose uptake in skeletal muscle is an early, genetically determined defect that is present in non-diabetic relatives of diabetic subjects. The rate-limiting step in muscle glucose use is the transmembrane transport of glucose mediated by glucose transporter (GLUT) 4 (ref. 4), which is expressed mainly in skeletal muscle, heart and adipose tissue. GLUT4 mediates glucose transport stimulated by insulin and contraction/exercise. The importance of GLUT4 and glucose uptake in muscle, however, was challenged by two recent observations. Whereas heterozygous GLUT4 knockout mice show moderate glucose intolerance, homozygous whole-body GLUT4 knockout (GLUT4-null) mice have only mild perturbations in glucose homeostasis and have growth retardation, depletion of fat stores, cardiac hypertrophy and failure, and a shortened life span. Moreover, muscle-specific inactivation of the insulin receptor results in minimal, if any, change in glucose tolerance. To determine the importance of glucose uptake into muscle for glucose homeostasis, we disrupted GLUT4 selectively in mouse muscles. A profound reduction in basal glucose transport and near-absence of stimulation by insulin or contraction resulted. These mice showed severe insulin resistance and glucose intolerance from an early age. Thus, GLUT4-mediated glucose transport in muscle is essential to the maintenance of normal glucose homeostasis.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Increased energy expenditure, decreased adiposity, and tissue-specific insulin sensitivity in protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B-deficient mice.

Protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP-1B) is a major protein-tyrosine phosphatase that has been implicated in the regulation of insulin action, as well as in other signal transduction pathways. To investigate the role of PTP-1B in vivo, we generated homozygotic PTP-1B-null mice by targeted gene disruption. PTP-1B-deficient mice have remarkably low adiposity and are protected from diet-induced obesity. Decreased adiposity is due to a marked reduction in fat cell mass without a decrease in adipocyte number. Leanness in PTP-1B-deficient mice is accompanied by increased basal metabolic rate and total energy expenditure, without marked alteration of uncoupling protein mRNA expression. In addition, insulin-stimulated whole-body glucose disposal is enhanced significantly in PTP-1B-deficient animals, as shown by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp studies. Remarkably, increased insulin sensitivity in PTP-1B-deficient mice is tissue specific, as insulin-stimulated glucose uptake is elevated in skeletal muscle, whereas adipose tissue is unaffected. Our results identify PTP-1B as a major regulator of energy balance, insulin sensitivity, and body fat stores in vivo.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2000

Metabolic regulation of Na(+)/P(i)-cotransporter-1 gene expression in H4IIE cells.

We showed that the rat Na(+)/P(i) cotransporter-1 (RNaPi-1) gene was regulated by insulin and glucose in rat hepatocytes. The aim of this work was to elucidate signaling pathways of insulin-mediated metabolic regulation of the RNaPi-1 gene in H4IIE cells. Insulin increased RNaPi-1 mRNA abundance in the presence of glucose and decreased RNaPi-1 mRNA in the absence of glucose, clearly establishing an involvement of metabolic signals for insulin-induced upregulation of the RNaPi-1 gene. Pyruvate and insulin increased RNaPi-1 expression but downregulated L-pyruvate kinase, indicating the existence of gene-specific metabolic signals. Although fructose, glycerol, and lactate could support insulin-induced upregulation of the RNaPi-1 gene, compounds entering metabolism beyond pyruvate oxidation, such as acetate and citrate, could not, suggesting that RNaPi-1-specific metabolic signals are generated at or above pyruvate oxidation. Wortmannin, LY-294002, and rapamycin abolished the insulin effect on the RNaPi-1 gene, whereas expression of dominant negative Asn(17) Ras and mitogen-activating protein kinase (MAPK) kinase (MEK) inhibitor PD-98059 exhibited no effect. Thus we herein propose that metabolic regulation of RNaPi-1 expression by insulin is mediated through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/p70 ribosomal S6 kinase pathways, but not the Ras/MAPK pathway.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed2000

Redistribution of substrates to adipose tissue promotes obesity in mice with selective insulin resistance in muscle.

Obesity and insulin resistance in skeletal muscle are two major factors in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. Mice with muscle-specific inactivation of the insulin receptor gene (MIRKO) are normoglycemic but have increased fat mass. To identify the potential mechanism for this important association, we examined insulin action in specific tissues of MIRKO and control mice under hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic conditions. We found that insulin-stimulated muscle glucose transport and glycogen synthesis were decreased by about 80% in MIRKO mice, whereas insulin-stimulated fat glucose transport was increased threefold in MIRKO mice. These data demonstrate that selective insulin resistance in muscle promotes redistribution of substrates to adipose tissue thereby contributing to increased adiposity and development of the prediabetic syndrome.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2000

In vivo administration of leptin activates signal transduction directly in insulin-sensitive tissues: overlapping but distinct pathways from insulin.

To determine whether leptin signal transduction is exerted directly upon insulin-sensitive tissues in vivo, we examined the ability of iv leptin to acutely stimulate phosphorylation of STAT3, STAT1, and MAPK, and activities of PI 3-kinase and Akt, in insulin-sensitive tissues of normal rats. Both leptin (1 mg/kg iv x 3 min) and insulin (10 U/kg iv x 3 min) stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT3 5.6- to 6.0-fold and of STAT1 4.0-fold in adipose tissue. Leptin tended to increase STAT3 phosphorylation in liver and muscle. Both hormones also increased MAPK phosphorylation: leptin increased it 3.2- to 3.8-fold in adipose tissue and liver, whereas insulin stimulated MAPK phosphorylation 5.0-fold in adipose tissue, 6.8-fold in liver, and 2.5-fold in muscle. Leptin was much less effective than insulin at stimulating IRS pathways. Leptin increased IRS-1-associated PI 3-kinase activity in adipose tissue only 2.0-fold (P < 0.01) compared with the 10-fold effect of insulin. IRS-2-associated PI 3-kinase activity was increased 1.7-fold (P < 0.01) by leptin in liver and 6-fold by insulin. Akt phosphorylation and activity were not changed by leptin but increased with insulin. Lower concentrations of leptin (10 and 50 microg/kg) also stimulated STAT3 phosphorylation in fat. These effects appear to be direct because 3 min after leptin intracerebroventricular injection, phosphorylation of STAT3, STAT1, and MAPK were not stimulated in hypothalamus or adipose tissue. Furthermore, leptin activated STAT3 and MAPK in adipose tissue explants ex vivo and in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Leptin did not activate STAT3 or MAPK in adipose tissue of db/db mice. Thus, leptin rapidly activates signaling pathways directly at the level of insulin sensitive tissues through the long-form leptin receptor, and these pathways overlap with, but are distinct from, those engaged by insulin.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed2000

Divergent regulation of Akt1 and Akt2 isoforms in insulin target tissues of obese Zucker rats.

To determine whether impaired Akt (protein kinase B or rac) activation contributes to insulin resistance in vivo, we examined the expression, phosphorylation, and kinase activities of Akt1 and Akt2 isoforms in insulin target tissues of insulin-resistant obese Zucker rats. In lean rats, insulin (10 U/kg i.v. x 2.5 min) stimulated Akt1 activity 6.2-, 8.8-, and 4.4-fold and Akt2 activity 5.4-, 9.3-, and 1.8-fold in muscle, liver, and adipose tissue, respectively. In obese rats, insulin-stimulated Akt1 activity decreased 30% in muscle and 21% in adipose tissue but increased 37% in liver compared with lean littermates. Insulin-stimulated Akt2 activity decreased 29% in muscle and 37% in liver but increased 24% in adipose tissue. Akt2 protein levels were reduced 56% in muscle and 35% in liver of obese rats, but Akt1 expression was unaltered. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activity associated with insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 or phosphotyrosine was reduced 67-86% in tissues of obese rats because of lower IRS-1 protein levels and reduced insulin receptor and IRS-1 phosphorylation. In adipose tissue of obese rats, in spite of an 86% reduction in insulin-stimulated PI3K activity, activation of Akt2 was increased. Maximal insulin-stimulated (100 nmol/l) glucose transport was reduced 70% in isolated adipocytes, with a rightward shift in the insulin dose response for transport and for Akt1 stimulation but normal sensitivity for Akt2. These findings suggest that PI3K-dependent effects on glucose transport in adipocytes are not mediated primarily by Akt2. Akt1 and Akt2 activations by insulin have a similar time course and are maximal by 2.5 min in adipocytes of both lean and obese rats. We conclude that 1) activation of Akt1 and Akt2 in vivo is much less impaired than activation of PI3K in this insulin-resistant state, and 2) the mechanisms for divergent alterations in insulin action on Akt1 and Akt2 activities in tissues of insulin-resistant obese rats involve tissue- and isoform-specific changes in both expression and activation.

Adipose Tissue↗