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Antihyperglycemic action of isoferulic acid in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Wistar rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes (STZ-diabetic rats), which is similar to human insulin-dependent diabetic mellitus (IDDM), were employed to investigate the antihyperglycemic action of isoferulic acid. A single intravenous injection of isoferulic acid decreased the plasma glucose in a dose-dependent manner in the STZ-diabetic rats. Repeated intravenous administration of STZ-diabetic rats with isoferulic acid (5.0 mg kg(-1)) also resulted in the lowering of plasma glucose after one day. Stimulatory effects of isoferulic acid on the glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis in soleus muscles isolated from STZ-diabetic rats were also obtained indicating an increase of glucose utilization following isoferulic acid treatment which was not dependent on insulin. The mRNA level of glucose transporter subtype 4 form (GLUT4) in soleus muscle was raised by isoferulic acid after repeated treatment for 1 day in STZ-diabetic rats. Similar repeated treatment with isoferulic acid reversed the elevated mRNA level of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) in liver of STZ-diabetic rats to the normal level. However, expression of GLUT4 and PEPCK genes in nondiabetic rats were not influenced by similar treatment with isoferulic acid. These results suggest that isoferulic acid can inhibit hepatic gluconeogenesis and/or increase the glucose utilization in peripheral tissue to lower plasma glucose in diabetic rats lacking insulin.

Animals↗

Bisphenol A affects glucose transport in mouse 3T3-F442A adipocytes.

Recently, environmental chemicals have appeared in daily human life, and these chemicals have been incidentally taken in by humans. The serum concentrations of some of these chemicals have been found to be associated with the onset and incidence rate of diabetes mellitus. It has been suggested that one of the environmental chemicals, bisphenol A (BPA), has hormone-like activity. It has also been demonstrated that some hormones affect insulin resistance and fat distribution in the body. To study the effects of these environmental chemicals on glucose metabolism, the effect of BPA on glucose transport in mouse 3T3-F442A adipocytes was investigated. The 3T3-F442A adipocytes were incubated with various concentrations of BPA in a medium. Deoxyglucose uptake assay was performed with and without insulin. Immunoblot analysis was performed with a glucose transporter (GLUT) 4-specific antibody and antiphosphotyrosine antibody. The BPA treatment enhanced basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, and caused an increased amount of GLUT4 protein. Thus, the enhanced glucose uptake resulting from the BPA treatment was at least partially due to the increased amount of GLUT4. Tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 with insulin stimulation was not significantly affected. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that BPA, one of the chemicals that we intake incidentally, affects the glucose transport in adipocytes, and also that the environmental chemicals may be identified as one of the environmental factors that affect diabetes and obesity.

3T3 Cells↗

The hypoglycaemic activity of fenugreek seed extract is mediated through the stimulation of an insulin signalling pathway.

The in vivo hypoglycaemic activity of a dialysed fenugreek seed extract (FSE) was studied in alloxan (AXN)-induced diabetic mice and found to be comparable to that of insulin (1.5 U kg(-1)). FSE also improved intraperitoneal glucose tolerance in normal mice. The mechanism by which FSE attenuated hyperglycaemia was investigated in vitro. FSE stimulated glucose uptake in CHO-HIRc-mycGLUT4eGFP cells in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was shown to be mediated by the translocation of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) from the intracellular space to the plasma membrane. These effects of FSE on GLUT4 translocation and glucose uptake were inhibited by wortmannin, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) inhibitor, and bisindolylmaleimide 1, a protein kinase C (PKC)-specific inhibitor. In vitro phosphorylation analysis revealed that, like insulin, FSE also induces tyrosine phosphorylation of a number of proteins including the insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrate 1 and p85 subunit of PI3-K, in both 3T3-L1 adipocytes and human hepatoma cells, HepG2. However, unlike insulin, FSE had no effect on protein kinase B (Akt) activation. These results suggest that in vivo the hypoglycaemic effect of FSE is mediated, at least in part, by the activation of an insulin signalling pathway in adipocytes and liver cells.

3T3 Cells↗

Substrate competition and insulin action in animal models.

Increased basal plasma FFA and lactate concentrations are often present in obesity and may deeply affect insulin action. The inhibition of glucose transport or phosphorylation is thought to be involved in this phenomenon, but the molecular mechanisms on the basis are still unknown. In our laboratory we observed that a chronic infusion of Intralipid plus heparin in rats significantly decreased the insulin dependent-glucose uptake, as well as GLUT4 gene expression in muscular tissue. On the other hand it has been shown that an enhanced plasma lactate concentration may increase insulin secretion and hepatic insulin clearance. Moreover we observed that chronic hyperlactatemia in rats is able to decrease glucose uptake in muscles, while reducing GLUT4 mRNA and protein in the same tissues. In obesity, lactate and FFA overproduction from visceral fat may therefore play a synergic role in reducing insulin sensitivity.

Adipose Tissue↗

Impaired ('diabetic') insulin signaling and action occur in fat cells long before glucose intolerance--is insulin resistance initiated in the adipose tissue?

This review postulates and presents recent evidence that insulin resistance is initiated in the adipose tissue and also suggests that the adipose tissue may play a pivotal role in the induction of insulin resistance in the muscles and the liver. Marked impairments in insulin's intracellular signaling cascade are present in fat cells from type 2 diabetic patients, including reduced IRS-1 gene and protein expression, impaired insulin-stimulated PI3-kinase and PKB/Akt activities. In contrast, upstream insulin signaling in skeletal muscle from diabetic subjects only shows modest impairments and PKB/Akt activation in vivo by insulin appears normal. However, insulin-stimulated glucose transport and glycogen synthesis are markedly reduced. Similar marked impairments in insulin signaling, including reduced IRS-1 expression, impaired insulin-stimulated PI3-kinase and PKB/Akt activities are also seen in some (approximately 30%) normoglycemic individuals with genetic predisposition for type 2 diabetes. In addition, GLUT4 expression is markedly reduced in these cells, similar to what is seen in diabetic cells. The individuals with reduced cellular expression of IRS-1 and GLUT4 are also markedly insulin resistant and exhibit several characteristics of the Insulin Resistance Syndrome.Thus, a 'diabetic' pattern is seen in the fat cells also in normoglycemic subjects and this is associated with a marked insulin resistance in vivo. It is proposed that insulin resistance and/or its effectors is initiated in fat cells and that this may secondarily encompass other target tissues for insulin, including the impaired glucose transport in the muscles.

Adipocytes↗

Insulin stimulates movement of sorting nexin 9 between cellular compartments: a putative role mediating cell surface receptor expression and insulin action.

SNX9 (sorting nexin 9) is one member of a family of proteins implicated in protein trafficking. This family is characterized by a unique PX (Phox homology) domain that includes a proline-rich sequence and an upstream phospholipid binding domain. Many sorting nexins, including SNX9, also have a C-terminal coiled region. SNX9 additionally has an N-terminal SH3 (Src homology 3) domain. Here we have investigated the cellular localization of SNX9 and the potential role it plays in insulin action. SNX9 had a cytosolic and punctate distribution, consistent with endosomal and cytosolic localization, in 3T3L1 adipocytes. It was excluded from the nucleus. The SH3 domain was responsible, at least in part, for the membrane localization of SNX9, since expression of an SH3-domain-deleted GFP (green fluorescent protein)-SNX9 fusion protein in HEK293T cells rendered the protein cytosolic. Membrane localization may also be attributed in part to the PX domain, since in vitro phospholipid binding studies demonstrated SNX9 binding to polyphosphoinositides. Insulin induced movement of SNX9 to membrane fractions from the cytosol. A GST (glutathione S-transferase)-SNX9 fusion protein was associated with IGF1 (insulin-like growth factor 1) and insulin receptors in vitro. A GFP-SNX9 fusion protein, overexpressed in 3T3L1 adipocytes, co-immunoprecipitated with insulin receptors. Furthermore, overexpression of this GFP-SNX9 fusion protein in CHOT cells decreased insulin binding, consistent with a role for SNX9 in the trafficking of insulin receptors. Microinjection of 3T3L1 cells with an antibody against SNX9 inhibited stimulation by insulin of GLUT4 translocation. These results support the involvement of SNX9 in insulin action, via an influence on the processing/trafficking of insulin receptors. A secondary role in regulation of the cellular processing, transport and/or subcellular localization of GLUT4 is also suggested.

Adipocytes↗

Adipose tissues from various anatomical sites are characterized by different patterns of gene expression and regulation.

We have shown previously the presence of brown adipocytes among white fat pads, and proposed the existence of a spectrum of adipose depots according to the abundance of brown fat cells [Cousin, Cinti, Morroni, Raimbault, Ricquier, Pénicaud and Casteilla (1992) J. Cell Sci. 103, 931-942]. In this study, we tried to characterize this spectrum better. We determined in several adipose depots (i) the richness of pre-adipose cells, as assessed by A2COL6 mRNA levels; (ii) whether a fat pad was characterized by a pattern of mRNA expression; (iii) whether this pattern was close related to abundance of brown adipocytes, and (iv) whether the regulation of this pattern by catecholamines under cold exposure or beta-agonist treatment was similar in the different pads. This was achieved by studying proteins involved in glucose and lipid metabolism such as insulin-sensitive glucose transporter (GLUT4), fatty acid synthase, lipoprotein lipase and fatty acid binding protein aP2, as well as beta 3-adrenergic-receptor expression. Among white adipose depots, the periovarian fat pad was characterized by the highest content of pre-adipocytes and of brown adipocytes, and inguinal fat by the highest lipogenic activity potential. There was no close correlation between beta 3-adrenergic-receptor expression and brown adipocyte content in the tissues, as measured by the degree of uncoupling protein (UCP) gene expression. However, in pads expressing UCP mRNA, mRNA levels of beta 3-adrenergic receptor and other markers were increased in parallel. Under cold exposure or beta 3-agonist treatment, a specific up-regulation of GLUT4 expression was observed in interscapular brown adipose tissue. The regional difference described in this study, could participate in preferential fat-pad growth under physiological conditions as well as in pathological situations.

Adipose Tissue↗

Expression of the liver-type glucose transporter (GLUT2) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes: analysis of the effects of insulin on subcellular distribution.

We have expressed the liver-type facilitative glucose transporter, GLUT2, in the insulin-sensitive 3T3-L1 adipocyte clonal cell line in an effort to address the importance of transporter isoform and cellular environment on the ability of insulin to mediate glucose-transporter translocation. Analysis of non-differentiated fibroblastic cell clones transfected with the GLUT2 cDNA identified the presence of this isoform in several independent clones. These clones exhibited increased deoxyglucose and fructose transport rates compared with control cells. Upon differentiation, the fibroblastic clones selected for study achieved > 95% phenotypic conversion into adipocytes. Expression of the GLUT2 protein was maintained throughout the differentiation protocol. Subcellular fractionation revealed that in response to insulin, unlike the native GLUT4, GLUT2 protein did not undergo significant translocation to the plasma membrane; furthermore, the subcellular distribution of the expressed GLUT2 was quite distinct from that of the endogenous GLUT4. 3T3-L1 adipocytes expressing GLUT2 only exhibited a 2-fold increase in insulin-stimulated fructose uptake, further suggesting that GLUT2 does not undergo insulin-stimulated translocation.

3T3 Cells↗

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and the actin network are not required for the stimulation of glucose transport caused by mitochondrial uncoupling: comparison with insulin action.

In L6 myotubes insulin stimulates glucose transport through the translocation of glucose transporters GLUT1, GLUT3 and GLUT4 from intracellular stores to the plasma membrane. An intact actin network and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity are required for this process. Glucose transport is also stimulated by the mitochondrial ATP-production uncoupler dinitrophenol. We show here that, in serum-depleted myotubes, dinitrophenol induced translocation of GLUT1 and GLUT4, but not GLUT3. This response was not affected by inhibiting phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase or disassembling the actin network. Insulin, but not dinitrophenol, caused tyrosine phosphorylation of several polypeptides, including the insulin-receptor substrate-1 and mitogen-activated protein kinase. Similarly, insulin, but not dinitrophenol, caused actin reorganization, which was inhibited by wortmannin. We conclude that insulin and dinitrophenol stimulate glucose transport by different mechanisms.

Actins↗

Carrier-mediated fructose uptake significantly contributes to carbohydrate metabolism in human skeletal muscle.

To determine whether fructose can be utilized as a metabolic substrate for skeletal muscle in man, we investigated its incorporation into glycogen, its oxidation and lactate production in isolated human skeletal muscle. Rates of fructose oxidation and incorporation into glycogen increased in the presence of increasing fructose concentrations (0.1-1.0 mM). Lactate production increased 3-fold when extracellular fructose was increased from 0.1 to 0.5 mM. Cytochalasin B, a competitive inhibitor of hexose transport mediated by the GLUT1 and GLUT4 facilitative glucose transporters, completely inhibited insulin-stimulated glucose incorporation into glycogen and glucose oxidation (P < 0.01), but did not alter fructose incorporation into glycogen or fructose oxidation. Insulin (1000 mu-units/ml) increased glucose incorporation into glycogen 2.7-fold and glucose oxidation 2.3-fold, whereas no effect on fructose incorporation into glycogen or fructose oxidation was noted. A physiological concentration of glucose (5 mM) decreased the rate of 0.5 mM fructose incorporation into glycogen by 60% (P < 0.001), whereas fructose oxidation was not altered in the presence of 5 mM glucose. Irrespective of fructose concentration, the majority of fructose taken up underwent non-oxidative metabolism. Lactate production accounted for approx. 80% of the fructose metabolism in the basal state and approx. 70% in the insulin (1000 mu-units/ml)-stimulated state. In the presence of 5 mM glucose, physiological concentrations of fructose could account for approximately 10-30% of hexose (glucose + fructose) incorporation into glycogen under non-insulin-stimulated conditions. In conclusion, fructose appears to be transported into human skeletal muscle via a carrier-mediated system that does not involve GLUT4 or GLUT1. Furthermore, under physiological conditions, fructose can significantly contribute to carbohydrate metabolism in human skeletal muscle.

Adult↗

Noradrenaline increases glucose transport into brown adipocytes in culture by a mechanism different from that of insulin.

Glucose uptake into brown adipose tissue has been shown to be enhanced directly by noradrenaline (norepinephrine) released from sympathetic nerves. In this study we characterized the glucose transport system in cultured brown adipocytes, which responds to noradrenaline as well as insulin, and analysed the mechanism underlying the noradrenaline-induced increase in glucose transport. Insulin increased 2-deoxyglucose (dGlc) uptake progressively at concentrations from 10(-11) to 10(-6) M, with maximal stimulation at 10(-7) M. Noradrenaline concentrations ranging from 10(-8) to 10(-6) M also enhanced dGlc uptake, even in the absence of insulin. The effects of noradrenaline and insulin on dGlc uptake were additive. The stimulatory effect of noradrenaline was mimicked by the beta3-adrenergic agonist, BRL37344, at concentrations two orders lower than noradrenaline. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP also mimicked the stimulatory effect of noradrenaline, and the antagonist of cyclic AMP, cyclic AMP-S Rp-isomer, blocked the enhancement of glucose uptake due to noradrenaline. Furthermore Western blot analysis with an anti-phosphotyrosine antibody revealed that, in contrast with insulin, noradrenaline apparently does not stimulate intracellular phosphorylation of tyrosine, suggesting that the noradrenaline-induced increase in dGlc uptake depends on elevation of the intracellular cyclic AMP level and not on the signal chain common to insulin. When cells were incubated with insulin, the content of the muscle/adipocyte type of glucose transporter (GLUT4) in the plasma membrane increased, with a corresponding decrease in the amount in the microsomal membrane. In contrast, noradrenaline did not affect the subcellular distribution of GLUT4 or that of the HepG2/erythrocyte type of glucose transporter. Although insulin increased Vmax. and decreased the Km value for glucose uptake, the effect of noradrenaline was restricted to a pronounced decrease in Km. These results suggest that the mechanism by which noradrenaline stimulates glucose transport into brown adipocytes is not due to translocation of GLUT but is probably due to an increase in the intrinsic activity of GLUT, which is mediated by a cyclic AMP-dependent pathway.

Adipocytes↗

Insulin-responsive tissues contain the core complex protein SNAP-25 (synaptosomal-associated protein 25) A and B isoforms in addition to syntaxin 4 and synaptobrevins 1 and 2.

SNAP-25 (synaptosomal-associated protein 25), syntaxin and synaptobrevin are the three SNARE [soluble NSF attachment protein receptor (where NSF = N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein)] proteins that form the core complex involved in synaptic vesicle docking and subsequent fusion with the target membrane. The present study is aimed at understanding the mechanisms of fusion of vesicles carrying glucose transporter proteins with the plasma membrane in human insulin-responsive tissues. It describes the isolation and characterization of cDNA molecules encoding SNAP-25 A and B isoforms, syntaxin 4 and synaptobrevins (also known as vehicle-associated membrane proteins) from two major human insulin-responsive tissues, skeletal muscle and fat. The DNA and deduced amino acid sequences of SNAP-25 revealed perfect identity with the previously reported human neural SNAP-25 A and B isoforms. Our results indicate the presence of both isoforms both in insulin-responsive tissues and in in vitro cultured 3T3-L1 cells, but suggest a differential pattern of gene expression: isoform A is the major species in adipose tissue, and isoform B is the major species in skeletal muscle. The presence of SNAP-25 protein in 3T3-L1 cells was demonstrated by immunofluorescence microscopy using an anti-SNAP-25 monoclonal antibody. Immunoprecipitation experiments using the same monoclonal antibody also revealed the presence of SNAP-25 protein in plasma membrane fractions from rat epididymal fat pads. The syntaxin 4-encoding region from skeletal muscle contains five nucleotide differences from the previously reported placental cDNA sequence, two of which result in amino acid changes: Asp-174 to Glu and Val-269 to Ala. The synaptobrevin 1 cDNA from skeletal muscle contains two nucleotide differences when compared with the corresponding clone from neural tissues, one of which is silent and the other resulting in the amino acid change Thr-102 to Ala. The cDNA sequence of the protein from fat is identical with that of human synaptobrevin 1 from neural tissues. Furthermore, we have confirmed the presence of syntaxin 4 in fat and of synaptobrevin 2 in skeletal muscle by PCR amplification and Southern hybridization analysis. Using the yeast two-hybrid system, an interaction was observed between the full-length cytoplasmic domains of syntaxin 4 and synaptobrevin 2, a vesicle membrane SNARE previously shown by others to be associated with vesicles carrying the GLUT4 glucose transporter protein, but no interaction was seen with synaptobrevin 1. Flow cytometry of low-density microsomes isolated from fat cells was used to demonstrate the binding of syntaxin 4 to a subset of vesicles carrying GLUT4 protein; whereas SNAP-25 on its own bound poorly to these vesicles, the syntaxin 4-SNAP-25 complex gave a strong interaction.

3T3 Cells↗

Effects of glucocorticoid excess on the sensitivity of glucose transport and metabolism to insulin in rat skeletal muscle.

GENBANK/dy examines the mechanisms of glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance in rat soleus muscle. Glucocorticoid excess was induced by administration of dexamethasone to rats for 5 days. Dexamethasone decreased the sensitivity of 3-O-methylglucose transport, 2-deoxyglucose phosphorylation, glycogen synthesis and glucose oxidation to insulin. The total content of GLUT4 glucose transporters was not decreased by dexamethasone; however, the increase in these transporters in the plasma membrane in response to insulin (100 m-units/litre) was lessened. In contrast, the sensitivity of lactate formation to insulin was normal. The content of 2-deoxyglucose in the dexamethasone-treated muscle was decreased at 100 m-units/litre insulin, while the contents of glucose 6-phosphate and fructose 2,6-bisphosphate were normal at all concentrations of insulin studied. The maximal activity of hexokinase in the soleus muscle was not affected by dexamethasone; however, inhibition of this enzyme by glucose 6-phosphate was decreased. These results suggest the following. (1) Glucocorticoid excess causes insulin resistance in skeletal muscle by directly inhibiting the translocation of the GLUT4 glucose transporters to the plasma membrane in response to insulin; since the activity of hexokinase is not affected, the changes in the sensitivity of glucose phosphorylation to insulin seen under these conditions are secondary to those in glucose transport. (2) The sensitivity of glycogen synthesis and glucose oxidation to insulin is decreased, but that of glycolysis is not affected: a redistribution of glucose away from the pathway of glycogen synthesis and glucose oxidation could maintain a normal rate of lactate formation although the rate of glucose transport is decreased.

3-O-Methylglucose↗

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 antagonize the stimulation of ob gene expression by dexamethasone in cultured rat adipose tissue.

The ob gene, specifically expressed in fat cells, encodes leptin, a hormone that induces satiety and increases energy expenditure. In this study, we investigated the interactions between glucocorticoids and insulin on ob gene expression in cultured explants of rat adipose tissue. Only low levels of ob mRNA were detected when adipose tissue from fasted rats was cultured for 12-24 h in minimal essential medium. However, the addition of dexamethasone to the medium increased ob gene expression in a concentration-dependent manner (EC50 10 nM). With 1 microM dexamethasone, ob mRNA levels were similar to those in fresh fat pads from fed rats, reaching a maximum after 12 h. The effect of dexamethasone was blocked by actinomycin D, which indicates an action on transcription. This effect was increased when a minimum amount of fuel (glucose or a mixture of lactate and pyruvate) was supplied in the medium. Unlike dexamethasone, insulin, even when combined with high glucose concentrations, did not induce ob expression, although it strongly increased the accumulation of mRNA species for fatty acid synthase (FAS), the insulin-sensitive glucose transporter GLUT4 and the gamma isoform of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARgamma). Unexpectedly, insulin dose-dependently inhibited dexamethasone-induced ob mRNA accumulation. This effect was observed at low concentrations of insulin (IC50 1 nM) and was delayed in onset, beginning after 6-9 h of culture. It was mimicked by insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) (100 nM). The inhibition by insulin was only detectable when fuels were present and/or when a critical level of ob expression was reached. As this inhibitory effect was reversed by cycloheximide, this suggests that it required ongoing protein synthesis. In conclusion, unlike dexamethasone, insulin had no direct stimulatory effect on ob gene expression. On the other hand, insulin (and IGF-1) even inhibited the dexamethasone-induced accumulation of ob mRNA. The underlying mechanism involved ongoing synthesis of an inhibitory protein by insulin, which is in keeping with its delayed effect. Moreover, the expression of genes for FAS, GLUT4 and PPARgamma may be inversely related to that of ob.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Cytokines modulate glucose transport in skeletal muscle by inducing the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase.

The principal goal of the present study was to test the hypothesis that cytokines modulate glucose transport in skeletal muscle by increasing nitric oxide production. Cultured L6 skeletal muscle cells were incubated in the presence of tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) alone or in combination for 24 h. Neither cytokines nor LPS alone induced NO production, as measured by nitrite concentrations in the medium. However, when used in combination, the two cytokines significantly stimulated NO production, and this effect was synergistically enhanced by the presence of LPS. Reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) analysis revealed that NO release was associated with the induction of inducible (macrophage-type) NO synthase (iNOS). The increase in iNOS expression was confirmed at the protein level by Western-blot analysis and NADPH/diaphorase histochemical staining. Cytokines and LPS markedly increased basal glucose transport in L6 myocytes. Insulin also stimulated basal glucose transport, but significantly less in cells chronically exposed to cytokines/LPS. The sensitivity of L6 muscle cells to insulin-stimulated glucose transport was also significantly decreased by cytokines/LPS treatment. The NOS inhibitor NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) inhibited nitrite production in cytokine/LPS-treated cells, and this prevented the increase in basal glucose transport and restored muscle cell responsiveness to insulin. Cytokines/LPS exposure significantly increased GLUT1 transporter protein levels but decreased GLUT4 expression in L6 cells. l-NAME treatment prevented the increase in GLUT1 protein content but failed to restore GLUT4 transporter levels. These results demonstrate that cytokines and LPS affect glucose transport and insulin action by inducing iNOS expression and NO production in skeletal muscle cells. The data further indicate that cytokines and LPS increase the expression of the GLUT1 transporter protein by an NO-dependent mechanism.

Animals↗

Thrombin-induced translocation of GLUT3 glucose transporters in human platelets.

Platelets derive most of their energy from anaerobic glycolysis; during activation this requirement rises approx. 3-fold. To accommodate the high glucose flux, platelets express extremely high concentrations (155+/-18 pmol/mg of membrane protein) of the most active glucose transporter isoform, GLUT3. Thrombin, a potent platelet activator, was found to stimulate 2-deoxyglucose transport activity 3-5-fold within 10 min at 25 degrees C, with a half-time of 1-2 min. To determine the mechanism underlying the increase in glucose transport activity, an impermeant photolabel, [2-3H]2N-4-(1-azi-2,2,2-trifluoethyl)benzoyl-1,3, -bis-(d-mannose-4-ylozy)-2-propylamine, was used to covalently bind glucose transporters accessible to the extracellular milieu. In response to thrombin, the level of transporter labelling increased 2.7-fold with a half-time of 1-2 min. This suggests a translocation of GLUT3 transporters from an intracellular site to the plasma membrane in a manner analogous to that seen for the translocation of GLUT4 in insulin-stimulated rat adipose cells. To investigate whether a similar signalling pathway was involved in both systems, platelets and adipose cells were exposed to staurosporin and wortmannin, two inhibitors of GLUT4 translocation in adipose cells. Thrombin stimulation of glucose transport activity in platelets was more sensitive to staurosporin inhibition than was insulin-stimulated transport activity in adipose cells, but it was totally insensitive to wortmannin. This indicates that the GLUT3 translocation in platelets is mediated by a protein kinase C not by a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase mechanism. In support of this contention, the phorbol ester PMA, which specifically activates protein kinase C, fully stimulated glucose transport activity in platelets and was equally sensitive to inhibition by staurosporin. This study provides a cellular mechanism by which platelets enhance their capacity to import glucose to fulfil the increased energy demands associated with activation.

Adipose Tissue↗

Actin filaments participate in the relocalization of phosphatidylinositol3-kinase to glucose transporter-containing compartments and in the stimulation of glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Insulin stimulates the rate of glucose uptake into muscle and adipose cells by translocation of glucose transporters from an intracellular storage pool to the plasma membrane. This event requires the prior activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase). Here we report that insulin causes an increase in wortmannin-sensitive PI 3-kinase activity and a gain in the enzyme's regulatory and catalytic subunits p85alpha and p110beta (but not p110alpha) in the intracellular compartments containing glucose transporters. The hormone also caused a marked reorganization of actin filaments, which was prevented by cytochalasin D. Cytochalasin D also decreased significantly the insulin-dependent association of PI 3-kinase activity and the levels of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1, p85alpha and p110beta with immunopurified GLUT4-containing compartments. In contrast, the drug did not alter the insulin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1, the association of PI 3-kinase with IRS-1, or the stimulation of PI 3-kinase by insulin in anti-(IRS-1) or anti-p85 immunoprecipitates from whole cell lysates. Cytochalasin D, and the chemically unrelated latrunculin B, which also inhibits actin filament reassembly, prevented the insulin stimulation of glucose transport by approx. 50%. Cytochalasin D decreased by about one-half the insulin-dependent translocation to the plasma membrane of the GLUT1 and GLUT4 glucose transporters. The results suggest that the existence of intact actin filament is correlated with the full recruitment of glucose transporters by insulin. The underlying function of the actin filaments might be to facilitate the insulin-mediated association of the p85-p110 PI 3-kinase with glucose-transporter-containing compartments.

3T3 Cells↗

Oxidative stress impairs insulin but not platelet-derived growth factor signalling in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) is a common event in both insulin and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signalling, but only insulin activates this enzyme in the high-speed pellet (HSP), and induces GLUT4 translocation. Recently, we have demonstrated that exposure of 3T3-L1 adipocytes to oxidative stress impairs insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation and glucose transport, associated with impaired PI 3-kinase translocation and activation in the HSP [Tirosh, Potashnik, Bashan and Rudich (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 10595-10602]. In this study the effect of a 2 h exposure to approximately 30 microM H(2)O(2) on insulin versus PDGF-BB signalling and metabolic effects was compared. PDGF-stimulated p85-associated PI 3-kinase activity in total cell lysates, as well as co-precipitation of the PDGF receptor, were unaffected by oxidative stress. Additionally, the increase in p85 association with the plasma-membrane lawns by PDGF remained intact following oxidation, whereas the insulin effect was decreased. PDGF significantly increased protein kinase B (PKB) activity in early differentiated cells, and that of p70 S6-kinase in both early and fully differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Following oxidation the effect of PDGF on PKB and p70 S6-kinase activation remained intact, whereas significant inhibition of insulin-stimulated activation of those enzymes was observed. In accordance, in both early and fully differentiated cells, oxidative stress completely blunted insulin- but not PDGF-stimulated protein synthesis. In conclusion, oxidative stress impairs insulin, but not PDGF, signalling and metabolic actions in both early and fully differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. This emphasizes compartment-specific activation of PI 3-kinase as an oxidation-sensitive step specifically leading to insulin resistance.

3T3 Cells↗