Dealing with energy demand: the AMP-activated protein kinase

Leptin stimulates fatty acid oxidation and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha gene expression in mouse C2C12 myoblasts by changing the subcellular localization of the alpha2 form of AMP-activated protein kinase

Leptin stimulates fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle through the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and the induction of gene expression, such as that for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha). We now show that leptin stimulates fatty acid oxidation and PPARalpha gene expression in the C2C12 muscle cell line through the activation of AMPK containing the alpha2 subunit (alpha2AMPK) and through changes in the subcellular localization of this enzyme. Activated alpha2AMPK containing the beta1 subunit was shown to be retained in the cytoplasm, where it phosphorylated acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase and thereby stimulated fatty acid oxidation. In contrast, alpha2AMPK containing the beta2 subunit transiently increased fatty acid oxidation but underwent rapid translocation to the nucleus, where it induced PPARalpha gene transcription. A nuclear localization signal and Thr(172) phosphorylation of alpha2 were found to be essential for nuclear translocation of alpha2AMPK, whereas the myristoylation of beta1 anchors alpha2AMPK in the cytoplasm. The prevention of alpha2AMPK activation and the change in its subcellular localization inhibited the metabolic effects of leptin. Our data thus suggest that the activation of and changes in the subcellular localization of alpha2AMPK are required for leptin-induced stimulation of fatty acid oxidation and PPARalpha gene expression in muscle cells.

Fatty acid synthase inhibition activates AMP-activated protein kinase in SKOV3 human ovarian cancer cells

Fatty acid synthase (FAS), the enzyme responsible for the de novo synthesis of fatty acids, is highly expressed in ovarian cancers and most common human carcinomas. Inhibition of FAS and activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) have been shown to be cytotoxic to human cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. In this report, we explore the cytotoxic mechanism of action of FAS inhibition and show that C93, a synthetic FAS inhibitor, increases the AMP/ATP ratio, activating AMPK in SKOV3 human ovarian cancer cells, which leads to cytotoxicity. As a physiologic consequence of AMPK activation, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), the rate-limiting enzyme of fatty acid synthesis, was phosphorylated and inhibited whereas glucose oxidation was increased. Despite these attempts to conserve energy, the AMP/ATP ratio increased with worsening cellular redox status. Pretreatment of SKOV3 cells with compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, substantially rescued the cells from C93 cytotoxicity, indicating its dependence on AMPK activation. 5-(Tetradecyloxy)-2-furoic acid, an ACC inhibitor, did not activate AMPK despite inhibiting fatty acid synthesis pathway activity and was not significantly cytotoxic to SKOV3 cells. This indicates that substrate accumulation from FAS inhibition triggering AMPK activation, not end-product depletion of fatty acids, is likely responsible for AMPK activation. C93 also exhibited significant antitumor activity and apoptosis against SKOV3 xenografts in athymic mice without significant weight loss or cytotoxicity to proliferating cellular compartments such as bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract, or skin. Thus, pharmacologic FAS inhibition selectively activates AMPK in ovarian cancer cells, inducing cytotoxicity while sparing most normal human tissues from the pleiotropic effects of AMPK activation.

Effects of cannabinoid receptors on skeletal muscle oxidative pathways

The endocannabinoids, a recently discovered endogenous, lipid derived, signaling system regulating energy metabolism, have effects on central and peripheral energy metabolism predominantly via the cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1). CB1 is expressed centrally in the hypothalamus and nucleus accumbens and peripherally in adipocytes and skeletal muscle. This study determined the effect of endocannabinoids on the expression of genes regulating energy metabolism in human skeletal muscle. Primary cultures of myotubes (lean and obese; n=3/group) were treated with the cannabinoid receptor agonist, anandamide (AEA) (0.2 and 5microM) and the CB1 specific antagonist AM251 (0.2 and 5microM) separately and in combination for 24h. The expression of mRNA for AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) alpha 1 (alpha1) and alpha 2 (alpha2), pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma co-activator-1alpha (PGC-1alpha) were determined using 'Real Time' RT-PCR. AMPKalpha1 mRNA increased in lean and obese myotubes in response to AM251 (P<0.05). AEA inhibited the effect of AM251 on AMPKalpha1 mRNA levels in myotubes from lean and obese subjects (P<0.05); the dose-response curve was shifted to the left in the obese. In response to AM251, irrespective of the presence of AEA, PDK4 expression was decreased in lean and obese myotubes (P<0.05). Taken together these data suggest that endocannabinoids regulate pathways affecting skeletal muscle oxidation, effects particularly evident in myotubes from obese individuals.

Addition of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase activators to University of Wisconsin solution: a way of protecting rat steatotic livers

This study investigates how the addition of trimetazidine (TMZ) and aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside (AICAR) to University of Wisconsin (UW) solution protects steatotic livers. Steatotic and nonsteatotic livers were preserved for 24 hours at 4 degrees C in UW and UW with TMZ and AICAR (separately or in combination) and then perfused ex vivo for 2 hours at 37 degrees C. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) or nitric oxide (NO) synthesis inhibition in livers preserved in UW with TMZ was also investigated. Hepatic injury and function (transaminases, bile production, and sulfobromophthalein clearance) and factors potentially involved in the susceptibility of steatotic livers to ischemia-reperfusion (I/R), including vascular resistance, mitochondrial damage, adenosine triphosphate depletion, and oxidative stress were evaluated. AMPK, NO synthase (NOS), nitrate, and nitrite levels were also determined. The addition of TMZ and AICAR (separately or in combination) to UW reduced hepatic injury, improved functionality, and protected against the mechanisms responsible for the vulnerability of steatotic livers to I/R. Like AICAR, TMZ increased AMPK, constitutive NOS, and nitrates and nitrites, and conversely, AMPK or NO synthesis inhibition abolished the benefits of TMZ. In conclusion, TMZ, by means of AMPK, increased NO, thus protecting steatotic livers against their vulnerability to I/R injury. TMZ and AICAR may constitute new additives to UW solution in steatotic liver preservation, whereas a combination of both seems unnecessary.

Fluid Shear Stress and NO Decrease the Activity of the Hydroxy-Methylglutaryl Coenzyme A Reductase in Endothelial Cells via the AMP-Activated Protein Kinase and FoxO1

The rate-limiting enzyme for cholesterol synthesis, the hydroxy-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HCR), is phosphorylated by the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). As shear stress activates the AMPK in endothelial cells, we determined whether it affects HCR activity and subsequent HCR-dependent signaling. Shear stress (12 dynes cm(-2)) rapidly increased the phosphorylation and activity (6.5- and 4-fold, respectively) of the AMPK in cultured endothelial cells and the activated AMPK phosphorylated the HCR in vitro. Moreover, shear stress and the AMPK activator 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside (AICAR) attenuated endothelial HCR activity by 37% and 33%, respectively. Inhibition of NO production attenuated the acute shear stress-induced phosphorylation of the AMPK and the decrease in HCR activity. Prolonged shear stress (18 hours) led to a significant (50%) decrease in HCR mRNA expression that was dependent on NO, AMPK, and the subsequent phosphorylation and degradation of FoxO1a. Correspondingly, the downregulation of FoxO (small interfering RNA) decreased HCR expression. Prolonged shear stress also attenuated the bradykinin-induced activation of Ras and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, a phenomenon that was comparable to the effects of cerivastatin and that was reversed by mevalonate and thus attributed to HCR inhibition. A decrease (35%) in HCR expression was also detected in femoral arteries from mice following voluntary exercise, and the bradykinin-induced vasodilatation of the mouse hindlimb was attenuated by both exercise and the HCR inhibitor cerivastatin. These data indicate that fluid shear stress regulates the activity and expression of the HCR in endothelial cells and determines responsiveness to stimuli, such as bradykinin via a mechanism involving NO, AMPK, FoxO1a, and p21Ras.

Activation of protein phosphatase 2A by palmitate inhibits AMP-activated protein kinase

Elevated levels of free fatty acids contribute to cardiovascular diseases, but the mechanisms remain poorly understood. The present study was aimed to determine if free fatty acid inhibits the AMP-activated kinase (AMPK). Exposure of cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) to palmitate (0.4 mM) but not to palmitoleic or oleic acid (0.4 mM) for 40 h significantly reduced the Thr(172) phosphorylation of AMPK-alpha without altering its protein expression or the phosphorylation of LKB1-Ser(428), a major AMPK kinase in BAECs. Further, in LKB1-deficient cells, palmitate suppressed AMPK-Thr(172) implying that the inhibitory effects of palmitate on AMPK might be independent of LKB1. In contrast, 2-bromopalmitate, a non-metabolizable analog of palmitate, did not alter the phosphorylation of AMPK and acetyl-CoA carboxylase. Further, palmitate significantly increased the activity of protein phosphatase (PP)2A. Inhibition of PP2A with either okadaic acid, a selective PP2A inhibitor, or PP2A small interference RNA abolished palmitate-induced inhibition on AMPK-Thr(172) phosphorylation. Exposure of BAECs to C(2)-ceramide, a cell-permeable analog of ceramide, mimicked the effects of palmitate. Conversely, fumonisin B1, which selectively inhibits ceramide synthase and decreases de novo formation of ceramide, abolished the effects of palmitate on both PP2A and AMPK. Inhibition of AMPK in parallel with increased PP2A activity was founded in C57BL/6J mice fed with high fat diet (HFD) rich in palmitate but not in mice fed with HFD rich in oleate. Moreover, inhibition of PP2A with PP2A-specific siRNA but not scrambled siRNA reversed HFD-induced inhibition on the phosphorylation of AMPK-Thr(172) and endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS)-Ser(1177) in mice fed with high fat diets. Taken together, we conclude that palmitate inhibits the phosphorylation of both AMPK and endothelial nitric-oxide synthase in endothelial cells via ceramide-dependent PP2A activation.

Mitochondrial DNA deletions inhibit proteasomal activity and stimulate an autophagic transcript

Deletions within the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cause Kearns Sayre syndrome (KSS) and chronic progressive external opthalmoplegia (CPEO). The clinical signs of KSS include muscle weakness, heart block, pigmentary retinopathy, ataxia, deafness, short stature, and dementia. The identical deletions occur and rise exponentially as humans age, particularly in substantia nigra. Deletions at >30% concentration cause deficits in basic bioenergetic parameters, including membrane potential and ATP synthesis, but it is poorly understood how these alterations cause the pathologies observed in patients. To better understand the consequences of mtDNA deletions, we microarrayed six cell types containing mtDNA deletions from KSS and CPEO patients. There was a prominent inhibition of transcripts encoding ubiquitin-mediated proteasome activity, and a prominent induction of transcripts involved in the AMP kinase pathway, macroautophagy, and amino acid degradation. In mutant cells, we confirmed a decrease in proteasome biochemical activity, significantly lower concentration of several amino acids, and induction of an autophagic transcript. An interpretation consistent with the data is that mtDNA deletions increase protein damage, inhibit the ubiquitin-proteasome system, decrease amino acid salvage, and activate autophagy. This provides a novel pathophysiological mechanism for these diseases, and suggests potential therapeutic strategies.

Stress-induced activation of the AMP-activated protein kinase in the freeze-tolerant frog Rana sylvatica

Survival in the frozen state depends on biochemical adaptations that deal with multiple stresses on cells including long-term ischaemia and tissue dehydration. We investigated whether the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) could play a regulatory role in the metabolic re-sculpting that occurs during freezing. AMPK activity and the phosphorylation state of translation factors were measured in liver and skeletal muscle of wood frogs (Rana sylvatica) subjected to anoxia, dehydration, freezing, and thawing after freezing. AMPK activity was increased 2-fold in livers of frozen frogs compared with the controls whereas in skeletal muscle, AMPK activity increased 2.5-, 4.5- and 3-fold in dehydrated, frozen and frozen/thawed animals, respectively. Immunoblotting with phospho-specific antibodies revealed an increase in the phosphorylation state of eukaryotic elongation factor-2 at the inactivating Thr56 site in livers from frozen frogs and in skeletal muscles of anoxic frogs. No change in phosphorylation state of eukaryotic initiation factor-2alpha at the inactivating Ser51 site was seen in the tissues under any of the stress conditions. Surprisingly, ribosomal protein S6 phosphorylation was increased 2-fold in livers from frozen frogs and 10-fold in skeletal muscle from frozen/thawed animals. However, no change in translation capacity was detected in cell-free translation assays with skeletal muscle extracts under any of the experimental conditions. The changes in phosphorylation state of translation factors are discussed in relation to the control of protein synthesis and stress-induced AMPK activation.

Multi-scale computational model of fuel homeostasis during exercise: effect of hormonal control

A mathematical model of the whole-body metabolism is developed to predict fuel homeostasis during exercise by using hormonal control over cellular metabolic processes. The whole body model is composed of seven tissue compartments: brain, heart, liver, GI (gastrointestinal) tract, skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and "other tissues". Each tissue compartment is described by dynamic mass balances and major cellular metabolic reactions. The glucagon-insulin controller is incorporated into the whole body model to predict hormonal changes during exercise. Moderate [150 W power output at 60% of peak oxygen consumption (VO(2max))] exercise for 60 min was implemented by increasing ATP utilization rates in heart and skeletal muscle. Arterial epinephrine level was given as an input function, which directly affects heart and skeletal muscle metabolism and indirectly other tissues via glucagon-insulin controller. Model simulations were validated with experimental data from human exercise studies. The exercise induced changes in hormonal signals modulated metabolic flux rates of different tissues in a coordinated way to achieve glucose homeostasis, demonstrating the efficacy of hormonal control over cellular metabolic processes. From experimental measurements of whole body glucose balance and arterial substrate concentrations, this model could predict the dynamic changes of hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, which are not easy to measure experimentally, suggesting the higher contribution of glycogenolysis ( approximately 75%). In addition, it could provide dynamic information on the relative contribution of carbohydrates and lipids for fuel oxidation in skeletal muscle. Model simulations indicate that external fuel supplies from other tissue/organ systems to skeletal muscle become important for prolonged exercise emphasizing the significance of interaction among tissues. In conclusion, this model can be used as a valuable complement to experimental studies due to its ability to predict what is difficult to measure directly, and usefulness to provide information about dynamic behaviors.

Inhibition of AMP-activated protein kinase suppresses IL-2 expression through down-regulation of NF-AT and AP-1 activation in Jurkat T cells

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key regulator of energy homeostasis and its activation during T cell receptor stimulation has recently been reported. In this study, we examined the role of AMPK in interleukin (IL)-2 production in T cells. Inhibition of AMPK by compound C, a specific inhibitor of AMPK or small interfering RNA of AMPKalpha1 suppressed IL-2 production in Jurkat T cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes stimulated with PMA plus ionomycin (PMA/Io) or with monoclonal anti-CD3 plus anti-CD28. We then showed that AMPK inhibition reduced PMA/Io-induced IL-2 mRNA expression and IL-2 promoter activation. Moreover, inhibition of AMPK suppressed transcriptional activation of NF-AT and AP-1, but not NF-kappaB, in PMA/Io-activated Jurkat cells. Finally, we found that compound C inhibited PMA/Io-induced phosphorylation of p38, JNK, and GSK-3beta but not of ERK. These results suggest that AMPK mediates IL-2 production by regulating NF-AT and AP-1activation during T cell stimulation.

AMP-activated protein kinase and the regulation of glucose transport

The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an energy-sensing enzyme that is activated by acute increases in the cellular [AMP]/[ATP] ratio. In skeletal and/or cardiac muscle, AMPK activity is increased by stimuli such as exercise, hypoxia, ischemia, and osmotic stress. There are many lines of evidence that increasing AMPK activity in skeletal muscle results in increased rates of glucose transport. Although similar to the effects of insulin to increase glucose transport in muscle, it is clear that the underlying mechanisms for AMPK-mediated glucose transport involve proximal signals that are distinct from that of insulin. Here, we discuss the evidence for AMPK regulation of glucose transport in skeletal and cardiac muscle and describe research investigating putative signaling mechanisms mediating this effect. We also discuss evidence that AMPK may play a role in enhancing muscle and whole body insulin sensitivity for glucose transport under conditions such as exercise, as well as the use of the AMPK activator AICAR to reverse insulin-resistant conditions. The identification of AMPK as a novel glucose transport mediator in skeletal muscle is providing important insights for the treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes.

AMP-activated protein kinase: Role in metabolism and therapeutic implications

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an enzyme that works as a fuel gauge which becomes activated in situations of energy consumption. AMPK functions to restore cellular ATP levels by modifying diverse metabolic and cellular pathways. In the skeletal muscle, AMPK is activated during exercise and is involved in contraction-stimulated glucose transport and fatty acid oxidation. In the heart, AMPK activity increases during ischaemia and functions to sustain ATP, cardiac function and myocardial viability. In the liver, AMPK inhibits the production of glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides and stimulates fatty acid oxidation. Recent studies have shown that AMPK is involved in the mechanism of action of metformin and thiazolidinediones, and the adipocytokines leptin and adiponectin. These data, along with evidence that pharmacological activation of AMPK in vivo improves blood glucose homeostasis, cholesterol concentrations and blood pressure in insulin-resistant rodents, make this enzyme an attractive pharmacological target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, ischaemic heart disease and other metabolic diseases.

Ventricular pre-excitation and cardiac hypertrophy mimicking hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a Turkish family with a novel PRKAG2 mutation

BACKGROUND

Mutations in PRKAG2, the gene for the gamma2 regulatory subunit of AMP-activated protein kinase, cause cardiac hypertrophy and electrophysiological abnormalities. We identified a novel mutation in PRKAG2 causing familial ventricular pre-excitation and severe cardiac hypertrophy.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We studied 30 members of one family and 120 healthy controls. Molecular analysis of PRKAG2 gene revealed one missense mutation in exon 14 which was confirmed by restriction enzyme digestion. We identified a G to A transition, resulting in a Glu506Lys substitution in the PRKAG2 gene in 8 of the family members, who all had cardiac hypertrophy and ventricular pre-excitation. High incidence of right ventricular hypertrophy and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction are other prominent features of this novel PRKAG2 mutation. Family members without mutation had no cardiac disease. The 120 unrelated healthy individuals did not show this mutation.

CONCLUSIONS

Coexistence of unexplained ventricular hypertrophy and pre-excitation should prompt the diagnosis of PRKAG2 mutations and these patients should be referred for genetic analysis. The possible alteration of AMP-activated protein kinase activity due to genetic defects in PRKAG2 may serve as a template for developing more specific therapies in the treatment of patients with this mutation.

Rosiglitazone treatment enhances acute AMP-activated protein kinase-mediated muscle and adipose tissue glucose uptake in high-fat-fed rats

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has been implicated in the insulin-sensitizing actions of thiazolidinediones (TZDs), but it is not known whether TZD treatment can enhance tissue glucose uptake in response to AMPK activation. The present study investigated the influence of the TZD rosiglitazone on glucose turnover induced by intravenous infusion of the AMPK activator 5-aminoimidazole 4-carboxamide riboside (AICAR) under euglycemic and iso-insulinemic conditions in insulin-resistant high-fat-fed rats. We found that rosiglitazone treatment significantly enhanced AICAR-stimulated whole-body glucose disposal by 27% in high-fat-fed rats, and a 44% greater glucose infusion rate (both P < 0.01 vs. vehicle control rats) was required to maintain euglycemia. Along with this, both AICAR-stimulated glucose uptake and glucose incorporation into glycogen in muscle and adipose tissue were enhanced (P < 0.05). The enhanced glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis in muscle were associated with increased activity of total AMPK and the AMPKalpha2 subunit. In comparison, these effects were not apparent in rats fed standard rodent diet. Thus, our findings suggest that in addition to ameliorating insulin resistance, TZDs may enhance AMPK-stimulated glucose clearance into peripheral tissues in insulin-resistant states.

Signaling specificity of interleukin-6 action on glucose and lipid metabolism in skeletal muscle

We identified signaling pathways by which IL-6 regulates skeletal muscle differentiation and metabolism. Primary human skeletal muscle cells were exposed to IL-6 (25 ng/ml either acutely or for several days), and small interfering RNA gene silencing was applied to measure glucose and fat metabolism. Chronic IL-6 exposure increased myotube fusion and formation and the mRNA expression of glucose transporter 4, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)alpha, PPARdelta, PPARgamma, PPARgamma coactivator 1, glycogen synthase, myocyte enhancer factor 2D, uncoupling protein 2, fatty acid transporter 4, and IL-6 (P < 0.05), whereas glucose transporter 1, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-alpha, and uncoupling protein 3 were decreased. IL-6 increased glucose incorporation into glycogen, glucose uptake, lactate production, and fatty acid uptake and oxidation, concomitant with increased phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, and ERK1/2. IL-6 also increased phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase activity (450%; P < 0.05), which was blunted by subsequent insulin-stimulation (P < 0.05). IL-6-mediated glucose metabolism was suppressed, but lipid metabolism was unaltered, by inhibition of PI3-kinase with LY294002. The small interfering RNA-directed depletion of AMPK reduced IL-6-mediated fatty acid oxidation and palmitate uptake but did not reduce glycogen synthesis. In summary, IL-6 increases glycogen synthesis via a PI3-kinase-dependent mechanism and enhances lipid oxidation via an AMPK-dependent mechanism in skeletal muscle. Thus, IL-6 directly promotes skeletal muscle differentiation and regulates muscle substrate utilization, promoting glycogen storage and lipid oxidation.

Mining frequent patterns for AMP-activated protein kinase regulation on skeletal muscle

Background

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has emerged as a significant signaling intermediary that regulates metabolisms in response to energy demand and supply. An investigation into the degree of activation and deactivation of AMPK subunits under exercise can provide valuable data for understanding AMPK. In particular, the effect of AMPK on muscle cellular energy status makes this protein a promising pharmacological target for disease treatment. As more AMPK regulation data are accumulated, data mining techniques can play an important role in identifying frequent patterns in the data. Association rule mining, which is commonly used in market basket analysis, can be applied to AMPK regulation.

Results

This paper proposes a framework that can identify the potential correlation, either between the state of isoforms of α, β and γ subunits of AMPK, or between stimulus factors and the state of isoforms. Our approach is to apply item constraints in the closed interpretation to the itemset generation so that a threshold is specified in terms of the amount of results, rather than a fixed threshold value for all itemsets of all sizes. The derived rules from experiments are roughly analyzed. It is found that most of the extracted association rules have biological meaning and some of them were previously unknown. They indicate direction for further research.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that AMPK has a great impact on most metabolic actions that are related to energy demand and supply. Those actions are adjusted via its subunit isoforms under specific physical training. Thus, there are strong co-relationships between AMPK subunit isoforms and exercises. Furthermore, the subunit isoforms are correlated with each other in some cases. The methods developed here could be used when predicting these essential relationships and enable an understanding of the functions and metabolic pathways regarding AMPK.

Fatty acid metabolism, the central nervous system, and feeding

A potential role for fatty acid metabolism in the regulation of energy balance in the brain or in the periphery has been considered only recently. Fatty acid synthase (FAS) catalyzes the synthesis of long-chain fatty acids, whereas the breakdown of fatty acids by beta-oxidation is regulated by carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1, the rate-limiting enzyme for the entry of fatty acids into the mitochondria for oxidation. While the question of the physiological role of fatty acid metabolism remains to be resolved, studies indicate that inhibition of FAS or stimulation of carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 using cerulenin or synthetic FAS inhibitors reduces food intake and incurs profound and reversible weight loss. Several hypotheses regarding the mechanisms by which these small molecules mediate their effects have been entertained. Centrally, these compounds alter the expression of hypothalamic neuropeptides, generally reducing the expression of orexigenic peptides. Whether through central, peripheral, or combined central and peripheral mechanisms, these compounds also increase energy consumption to augment weight loss. In vitro and in vivo studies indicate that at least part of C75's effects is mediated by modulation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, a member of an energy-sensing kinase family. These compounds, with chronic treatment, also alter gene expression peripherally to favor a state of enhanced energy consumption. Together, these effects raise the possibility that pharmacological alterations in fatty acid synthesis/degradation may serve as a target for obesity therapeutics.

Diet-induced Obesity Alters AMP Kinase Activity in Hypothalamus and Skeletal Muscle

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key regulator of cellular energy balance and of the effects of leptin on food intake and fatty acid oxidation. Obesity is usually associated with resistance to the effects of leptin on food intake and body weight. To determine whether diet-induced obesity (DIO) impairs the AMPK response to leptin in muscle and/or hypothalamus, we fed FVB mice a high fat (55%) diet for 10-12 weeks. Leptin acutely decreased food intake by approximately 30% in chow-fed mice. DIO mice tended to eat less, and leptin had no effect on food intake. Leptin decreased respiratory exchange ratio in chow-fed mice indicating increased fatty acid oxidation. Respiratory exchange ratio was low basally in high fat-fed mice, and leptin had no further effect. Leptin (3 mg/kg intraperitoneally) increased alpha2-AMPK activity 2-fold in muscle in chow-fed mice but not in DIO mice. Leptin decreased acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity 40% in muscle from chow-fed mice. In muscle from DIO mice, acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity was basally low, and leptin had no further effect. In paraventricular, arcuate, and medial hypothalamus of chow-fed mice, leptin inhibited alpha2-AMPK activity but not in DIO mice. In addition, leptin increased STAT3 phosphorylation 2-fold in arcuate of chow-fed mice, but this effect was attenuated because of elevated basal STAT3 phosphorylation in DIO mice. Thus, DIO in FVB mice alters alpha2-AMPK in muscle and hypothalamus and STAT3 in hypothalamus and impairs further effects of leptin on these signaling pathways. Defective responses of AMPK to leptin may contribute to resistance to leptin action on food intake and energy expenditure in obese states.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of benzimidazole derivatives as potent AMP-activated protein kinase activators

Design, synthesis and structure-activity relationships of benzimidazole derivatives as activators of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) are presented in this paper. AMPK is the central component of a protein kinase cascade that plays a key role in the regulation of energy balance. Once activated, AMPK initiates a series of responses that are aimed at restoring the energy balance of the cell and recent studies have indicated that AMPK plays an important role in regulation of the whole-body energy metabolism. The following study based on the lead compound S27847 involved modification of three regions of this compound. Preliminary structure-activity relationships are being described.

Identification and characterization of a small molecule AMPK activator that treats key components of type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key sensor and regulator of intracellular and whole-body energy metabolism. We have identified a thienopyridone family of AMPK activators. A-769662 directly stimulated partially purified rat liver AMPK (EC50 = 0.8 microM) and inhibited fatty acid synthesis in primary rat hepatocytes (IC50 = 3.2 microM). Short-term treatment of normal Sprague Dawley rats with A-769662 decreased liver malonyl CoA levels and the respiratory exchange ratio, VCO2/VO2, indicating an increased rate of whole-body fatty acid oxidation. Treatment of ob/ob mice with 30 mg/kg b.i.d. A-769662 decreased hepatic expression of PEPCK, G6Pase, and FAS, lowered plasma glucose by 40%, reduced body weight gain and significantly decreased both plasma and liver triglyceride levels. These results demonstrate that small molecule-mediated activation of AMPK in vivo is feasible and represents a promising approach for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome.

LKB1-AMPK signaling in muscle from obese insulin-resistant Zucker rats and effects of training

AMPK is a key regulator of fat and carbohydrate metabolism. It has been postulated that defects in AMPK signaling could be responsible for some of the metabolic abnormalities of type 2 diabetes. In this study, we examined whether insulin-resistant obese Zucker rats have abnormalities in the AMPK pathway. We compared AMPK and ACC phosphorylation and the protein content of the upstream AMPK kinase LKB1 and the AMPK-regulated transcriptional coactivator PPARgamma coactivator-1 (PGC-1) in gastrocnemius of sedentary obese Zucker rats and sedentary lean Zucker rats. We also examined whether 7 wk of exercise training on a treadmill reversed abnormalities in the AMPK pathway in obese Zucker rats. In the obese rats, AMPK phosphorylation was reduced by 45% compared with lean rats. Protein expression of the AMPK kinase LKB1 was also reduced in the muscle from obese rats by 43%. In obese rats, phosphorylation of ACC and protein expression of PGC-1alpha, two AMPK-regulated proteins, tended to be reduced by 50 (P = 0.07) and 35% (P = 0.1), respectively. There were no differences in AMPKalpha1, -alpha2, -beta1, -beta2, and -gamma3 protein content between lean and obese rats. Training caused a 1.5-fold increase in AMPKalpha1 protein content in the obese rats, although there was no effect of training on AMPK phosphorylation and the other AMPK isoforms. Furthermore, training also significantly increased LKB1 and PGC-1alpha protein content 2.8- and 2.5-fold, respectively, in the obese rats. LKB1 protein strongly correlated with hexokinase II activity (r = 0.75, P = 0.001), citrate synthase activity (r = 0.54, P = 0.02), and PGC-1alpha protein content (r = 0.81, P < 0.001). In summary, obese insulin-resistant rodents have abnormalities in the LKB1-AMPK-PGC-1 pathway in muscle, and these abnormalities can be restored by training.

A pull-down assay for 5' AMP-activated protein kinase activity using the GST-fused protein

An assay using a specific peptide (SAMS peptide) as a substrate is widely used for determination of AMP-activated protein kinases (AMPK) activity. However, it is not an efficient assay for crude AMPK preparations. In this study, we modified the assay by using the SAMS peptide fused to glutathione-S-transferase (GST-SAMS) instead of the SAMS peptide on its own. Radioactivity incorporated into GST-SAMS can be recovered easily by precipitation with glutathione-agarose. The kinetic parameters of partially purified AMPK for the GST-SAMS were as follows. The Vmax was 0.26 +/- 0.012 nmol/min/mg of total proteins and Km for GST-SAMS was 110 +/- 12 microM. The parameters for ATP were 0.40 +/- 0.016 nmol/min/mg of total proteins (Vmax) and 202 +/- 21 microM (Km). The activity of AMPK in this system was stimulated about threefold by the AMPK activators, AMP or 5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide ribotide (ZMP), and inhibited by the AMPK inhibitors, adenine 9-beta-D-arabinofuranoside (ara-A) and iodotubercidin. These values correlate well with those for the SAMS peptide reported previously. Thus, we successfully established a convenient and rapid method to measure AMPK applicable, even for crude enzyme preparations.

Effect of exercise intensity and hypoxia on skeletal muscle AMPK signaling and substrate metabolism in humans

We compared in human skeletal muscle the effect of absolute vs. relative exercise intensity on AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling and substrate metabolism under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Eight untrained males cycled for 30 min under hypoxic conditions (11.5% O(2), 111 +/- 12 W, 72 +/- 3% hypoxia Vo(2 peak); 72% Hypoxia) or under normoxic conditions (20.9% O(2)) matched to the same absolute (111 +/- 12 W, 51 +/- 1% normoxia Vo(2 peak); 51% Normoxia) or relative (to Vo(2 peak)) intensity (171 +/- 18 W, 73 +/- 1% normoxia Vo(2 peak); 73% Normoxia). Increases (P < 0.05) in AMPK activity, AMPKalpha Thr(172) phosphorylation, ACCbeta Ser(221) phosphorylation, free AMP content, and glucose clearance were more influenced by the absolute than by the relative exercise intensity, being greatest in 73% Normoxia with no difference between 51% Normoxia and 72% Hypoxia. In contrast to this, increases in muscle glycogen use, muscle lactate content, and plasma catecholamine concentration were more influenced by the relative than by the absolute exercise intensity, being similar in 72% Hypoxia and 73% Normoxia, with both trials higher than in 51% Normoxia. In conclusion, increases in muscle AMPK signaling, free AMP content, and glucose disposal during exercise are largely determined by the absolute exercise intensity, whereas increases in plasma catecholamine levels, muscle glycogen use, and muscle lactate levels are more closely associated with the relative exercise intensity.

EXERCISE AND SKELETAL MUSCLE GLUCOSE TRANSPORTER 4 EXPRESSION: MOLECULAR MECHANISMS

1. Skeletal muscle is a highly plastic tissue that has a remarkable ability to adapt to external demands, such as exercise. Many of these adaptations can be explained by changes in skeletal muscle gene expression. A single bout of exercise is sufficient to induce the expression of some metabolic genes. We have focused our attention on the regulation of glucose transporter isoform 4 (GLUT-4) expression in human skeletal muscle. 2. Glucose transporter isoform 4 gene expression is increased immediately following a single bout of exercise, and the GLUT-4 enhancer factor (GEF) and myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) transcription factors are required for this response. Glucose transporter isoform enhancer factor and MEF2 DNA binding activities are increased following exercise, and the molecular mechanisms regulating MEF2 in exercising human skeletal muscle have also been examined. 3. These studies find possible roles for histone deacetylase 5 (HDAC5), adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1alpha (PGC-1alpha) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in regulating MEF2 through a series of complex interactions potentially involving MEF2 repression, coactivation and phosphorylation. 4. Given that MEF2 is a transcription factor required for many exercise responsive genes, it is possible that these mechanisms are responsible for regulating the expression of a variety of metabolic genes during exercise. These mechanisms could also provide targets for the treatment and management of metabolic disease states, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, which are characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction and insulin resistance in skeletal muscle.

The relationship between peripheral glucose utilisation and insulin sensitivity in the regulation of hepatic glucose production: studies in normal and alloxan-diabetic dogs

BACKGROUND

Hepatic glucose overproduction (HGP) of diabetes could be primary or could occur in response to the metabolic needs of peripheral (skeletal muscle (SkM)) tissues. This question was tested in normal and diabetic dogs.

METHODS

HGP, SkM glucose uptake (Rd(tissue)), metabolic clearance of glucose (MCRg) and glycolytic flux (GF(exog)), and SkM biopsies were measured in the same dogs before and after alloxan-induced diabetes. Normal dogs were exposed to (1) an extended 20-h fast, (2) low- and high-dose glucose infusions (GINF) at basal insulinaemia, and chronic diabetic dogs were exposed to (3) hyperglycaemia, (4) phlorizin-induced normoglycaemia, and (5) poor and good diabetic control.

RESULTS

(1) Prolonged fast: HGP, Rd(tissue), and GF(exog) fell in parallel (p < 0.05). (2) Low-dose GINF: plasma glucose, insulin, Rd(tissue), MCRg, and GF(exog) were unchanged, but HGP fell by approximately 40%, paralleling the supplemental GINF. (3) High-dose GINF at basal insulin: plasma glucose doubled and synchronous changes in HGP, Rd(tissue), MCRg, and GF(exog) occurred; IC(glucose), G6P, and glycogen were unchanged. (4) Hyperglycaemic diabetes: HGP was raised (p < 0.05), matching urinary glucose loss (UGL) and decreased MCR(g), and maintaining normal basal Rd(tissue) and GF(exog). SkM IC(glucose) was increased and glycogen decreased (both p < 0.05). (5) Phlorizin-induced normoglycaemia in diabetic dogs: HGP rose, matching the increased UGL, while maintaining normal Rd(tissue) and GF(exog). Intramuscular substrates normalised. (6) Whole body and SkM metabolism normalised with correction of the insulin resistance and good diabetic control.

CONCLUSION

HGP reflects whether SkM is in a state of relative glucose 'excess' or absolute/relative glucose 'deprivation'.

Osteogenic actions of the anti-diabetic drug metformin on osteoblasts in culture

An association has been previously established between uncompensated diabetes mellitus and the loss of bone mineral density and/or quality. In this study, we evaluated the effects of metformin on the growth and differentiation of osteoblasts in culture. Treatment of two osteoblast-like cells (UMR106 and MC3T3E1) with metformin (25-500 microM) for 24 h led to a dose-dependent increase of cell proliferation. Metformin also promoted osteoblastic differentiation: it increased type-I collagen production in both cell lines and stimulated alkaline phosphatase activity in MC3T3E1 osteoblasts. In addition, metformin markedly increased the formation of nodules of mineralization in 3-week MC3T3E1 cultures. Metformin induced activation and redistribution of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (P-ERK) in a transient manner, and dose-dependently stimulated the expression of endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthases (e/iNOS). These results show for the first time a direct osteogenic effect of metformin on osteoblasts in culture, which could be mediated by activation/redistribution of ERK-1/2 and induction of e/iNOS.

NDR2 acts as the upstream kinase of ARK5 during insulin-like growth factor-1 signaling

ARK5 is a tumor progression-associated factor that is directly phosphorylated by AKT at serine 600 in the regulatory domain, but phosphorylation at the conserved threonine residue on the active T loop has been found to be required for its full activation. In this study, we identified serine/threonine protein kinase NDR2 as a protein kinase that phosphorylates and activates ARK5 during insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 signaling. Upon stimulation with IGF-1, NDR2 was found to directly phosphorylate the conserved threonine 211 on the active T loop of ARK5 and to promote cell survival and invasion of colorectal cancer cell lines through ARK5. During IGF-1 signaling, phosphorylation at three residues (threonine 75, serine 282, and threonine 442) was also found to be required for NDR2 activation. Among these three residues, phosphorylation of serine 282 seemed to be the most important for NDR2 activation (the same as for the mouse homologue) because its aspartic acid-converted mutant (NDR2/S282D) induced ARK5-mediated cell survival and invasion activities even in the absence of IGF-1. As in the mouse homologue, threonine 75 in NDR2 was required for interaction with S100B, and binding was in a calcium ion- and phospholipase C-gamma-dependent manner. We also found that PDK-1 plays an important role in NDR2 activation especially in the phosphorylation of threonine 442. Based on the results of this study, we report here that NDR2 is an upstream kinase of ARK5 that plays an essential role in tumor progression through ARK5.

Leucine regulates translation initiation of protein synthesis in skeletal muscle after exercise

High-performance physical activity and postexercise recovery lead to significant changes in amino acid and protein metabolism in skeletal muscle. Central to these changes is an increase in the metabolism of the BCAA leucine. During exercise, muscle protein synthesis decreases together with a net increase in protein degradation and stimulation of BCAA oxidation. The decrease in protein synthesis is associated with inhibition of translation initiation factors 4E and 4G and ribosomal protein S6 under regulatory controls of intracellular insulin signaling and leucine concentrations. BCAA oxidation increases through activation of the branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKDH). BCKDH activity increases with exercise, reducing plasma and intracellular leucine concentrations. After exercise, recovery of muscle protein synthesis requires dietary protein or BCAA to increase tissue levels of leucine in order to release the inhibition of the initiation factor 4 complex through activation of the protein kinase mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Leucine's effect on mTOR is synergistic with insulin via the phosphoinositol 3-kinase signaling pathway. Together, insulin and leucine allow skeletal muscle to coordinate protein synthesis with physiological state and dietary intake.

AMPK regulation of mouse oocyte meiotic resumption in vitro

We have previously shown that the adenosine analog 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-beta-d-ribofuranoside (AICAR), an activator of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), stimulates an increase in AMPK activity and induces meiotic resumption in mouse oocytes [Downs, S.M., Hudson, E.R., Hardie, D.G., 2002. A potential role for AMP-activated protein kinase in meiotic induction in mouse oocytes. Dev. Biol, 245, 200-212]. The present study was carried out to better define a causative role for AMPK in oocyte meiotic maturation. When microinjected with a constitutively active AMPK, about 20% of mouse oocytes maintained in meiotic arrest with dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) were stimulated to undergo germinal vesicle breakdown (GVB), while there was no effect of catalytically dead kinase. Western blot analysis revealed that germinal vesicle (GV)-stage oocytes cultured in dbcAMP-containing medium plus AICAR possessed elevated levels of active AMPK, and this was confirmed by AMPK assays using a peptide substrate of AMPK to directly measure AMPK activity. AICAR-induced meiotic resumption and AMPK activation were blocked by compound C or adenine 9-beta-d-arabinofuranoside (araA, a precursor of araATP), both inhibitors of AMPK. Compound C failed to suppress adenosine uptake and phosphorylation, indicating that it did not block AICAR action by preventing its metabolism to the AMP analog, ZMP. 2'-deoxycoformycin (DCF), a potent adenosine deaminase inhibitor, reversed the inhibitory effect of adenosine on oocyte maturation by modulating intracellular AMP levels and activating AMPK. Rosiglitazone, an anti-diabetic agent, stimulated AMPK activation in oocytes and triggered meiotic resumption. In spontaneously maturing oocytes, GVB was preceded by AMPK activation and blocked by compound C. Collectively, these results support the proposition that active AMPK within mouse oocytes provides a potent meiosis-inducing signal in vitro.

ARK5 is transcriptionally regulated by the Large-MAF family and mediates IGF-1-induced cell invasion in multiple myeloma: ARK5 as a new molecular determinant of malignant multiple myeloma

ARK5, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-related protein kinase mediating Akt signals, is closely involved in tumor progression, and its stage-associated expression was observed in colorectal cancer. In this study, we found ARK5 expression in multiple myeloma cell lines expressing c-MAF and MAFB. In addition, gene expression profiling of 351 clinical specimens revealed ARK5 expression in primary myelomas expressing c-MAF and MAFB, suggesting that ARK5 may be a transcriptional target of the Large-MAF family. Sequence analysis of the ARK5 gene promoter revealed that it contains two putative MAF-recognition element (MARE) sequences. In support of this hypothesis, ARK5 was induced when an MAFB or c-MAF expression vector was introduced into non-ARK5-expressing colon cancer cells. Furthermore, ARK5 promoter activity was dramatically decreased by mutation or deletion of MARE sequences. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed an interaction between the Large-MAF family proteins and MARE sequences in the ARK5 promoter. Moreover, in ARK5 mRNA-expressing multiple myeloma lines, but not in ARK5-negative lines, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 increased invasion activity. IGF-1-induced invasion was reproduced when ARK5 was overexpressed in Burkitt's lymphoma and plasmacytoma lines. Based on results, we conclude that ARK5 is a transcriptional target of the Large-MAF family through MARE sequence and that ARK5 may in part mediate the aggressive phenotype associated with c-MAF- and MAFB-expressing myelomas.

Overexpression of c-Maf Contributes to T-Cell Lymphoma in Both Mice and Human

c-Maf translocation or overexpression has been observed in human multiple myeloma. Although c-maf might function as an oncogene in multiple myeloma, a role for this gene in other cancers has not been shown. In this study, we have found that mice transgenic for c-Maf whose expression was direct to the T-cell compartment developed T-cell lymphoma. Moreover, we showed that cyclin D2, integrin beta(7), and ARK5 were up-regulated in c-Maf transgenic lymphoma cells. Furthermore, 60% of human T-cell lymphomas (11 of 18 cases), classified as angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, were found to express c-Maf. These results suggest that c-Maf might cause a type of T-cell lymphoma in both mice and humans and that ARK5, in addition to cyclin D2 and integrin beta(7), might be downstream target genes of c-Maf leading to malignant transformation.

Topiramate stimulates glucose transport through AMP-activated protein kinase-mediated pathway in L6 skeletal muscle cells

The use of topiramate (TPM) in the treatment of binge-eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, and antipsychotic-induced weight gain has recently increased, however, the exact molecular basis for its effects on body weight reduction and improved glucose homeostasis, is yet to be elucidated. Here we investigated the effect and signaling pathway of TPM on glucose uptake in L6 rat skeletal muscle cells, which account for >70% of glucose disposal in the body. Intriguingly, we found that TPM (10 microM) stimulated the rate of glucose uptake up to twofold increase. And TPM-stimulated glucose transport was inhibited with the overexpression of dominant-negative form of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), an important mediator in glucose transport, implicating that AMPK-mediated pathway is involved. The TPM-stimulated glucose transport was blocked by SB203580, a specific inhibitor of AMPK downstream mediator, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) protein. LY294002, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase, which is another crucial mediator in independent glucose transport pathway, did not inhibit TPM-stimulated glucose transport. We also found that TPM increased the phosphorylation level of AMPK and p38 MAPK, whereas no effect on the activity of PI 3-kinase of TPM, when assessed by PI 3-kinase assay, was observed. These results together suggest that TPM stimulates glucose transport, not via PI 3-kinase mediated, but via AMPK-mediated pathway in skeletal muscle cells, thereby contributing to the body weight regulation and glucose homeostasis.

Characterization of the bovine PRKAG3 gene: structure, polymorphism, and alternative transcripts

The bovine PRKAG3 gene encodes the AMPK gamma3 subunit, one isoform of the regulatory gamma subunit of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). The AMPK plays a major role in the regulation of energy metabolism and mutations affecting the genes encoding the gamma subunits have been shown to influence AMPK activity. The gamma3 subunit is involved in the regulation of AMPK activity in skeletal muscle and strongly influences glycogen metabolism. Glycogen content in muscle is correlated to meat quality in livestock because it influences postmortem maturation process and ultimate pH. Naturally occurring mutations in the porcine PRKAG3 gene highly affect meat quality by influencing glycogen content before slaughter. We present the characterization of the bovine PRKAG3 gene and a polymorphism analysis in three cattle breeds. Thirty-two SNPs were identified among which 13 are in the coding region, one is in the 3' UTR, and 18 are in the introns. Five of them change an amino acid in the PRKAG3 protein sequence. Allelic frequencies were determined in the three breeds considered, and mutant alleles affecting the coding sequence are found at a very low frequency. Alternative splicing sites were identified at two positions of the gene, introducing heterogeneity in the population of proteins translated from the gene.

The genetic basis for cardiac remodeling

Cardiomyopathies are primary disorders of cardiac muscle associated with abnormalities of cardiac wall thickness, chamber size, contraction, relaxation, conduction, and rhythm. They are a major cause of morbidity and mortality at all ages and, like acquired forms of cardiovascular disease, often result in heart failure. Over the past two decades, molecular genetic studies of humans and analyses of model organisms have made remarkable progress in defining the pathogenesis of cardiomyopathies. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can result from mutations in 11 genes that encode sarcomere proteins, and dilated cardiomyopathy is caused by mutations at 25 chromosome loci where genes encoding contractile, cytoskeletal, and calcium regulatory proteins have been identified. Causes of cardiomyopathies associated with clinically important cardiac arrhythmias have also been discovered: Mutations in cardiac metabolic genes cause hypertrophy in association with ventricular pre-excitation and mutations causing arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia were recently discovered in protein constituents of desmosomes. This considerable genetic heterogeneity suggests that there are multiple pathways that lead to changes in heart structure and function. Defects in myocyte force generation, force transmission, and calcium homeostasis have emerged as particularly critical signals driving these pathologies. Delineation of the cell and molecular events triggered by cardiomyopathy gene mutations provide new fundamental knowledge about myocyte biology and organ physiology that accounts for cardiac remodeling and defines mechanistic pathways that lead to heart failure.

Increased alpha2 subunit-associated AMPK activity and PRKAG2 cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) regulatory gamma2 subunit (PRKAG2) mutations cause a human cardiomyopathy with cardiac hypertrophy, preexcitation, and glycogen deposition. PRKAG2 cardiomyopathy is recapitulated in transgenic mice overexpressing mutant PRKAG2 N488I in the heart (TGgamma2N488I). AMPK is a heterotrimeric kinase consisting of 1 catalytic (alpha) and 2 regulatory (beta and gamma) subunits. Two alpha-subunit isoforms, alpha1 and alpha2, are expressed in the heart; however, the contribution of AMPK utilization of these subunits to PRKAG2 cardiomyopathy is unknown. Mice overexpressing a dominant-negative alpha2 subunit of AMPK (TGalpha2DN) provide a tool for selectively inhibiting alpha2, but not alpha1, subunit-associated AMPK activity.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In compound-heterozygous TGgamma2N488I/TGalpha2DN mice, AMPK activity associated with alpha2 but not alpha1 was decreased compared with TGgamma2N488I. The TGalpha2DN transgene reduced the disease phenotype of TGgamma2N488I, partially or completely normalizing the ECG, cardiac function, cardiac morphology, and exercise capacity in compound-heterozygous mice. TGgamma2N488I hearts had normal resting levels of high-energy phosphates and could improve cardiac performance during exercise. Cardiac glycogen content decreased in TGgamma2N488I mice after exercise stress, indicating availability of the stored glycogen for metabolic utilization. No differences in glycogen-metabolizing enzymes were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The PRKAG2 N488I mutation causes inappropriate AMPK activation, which leads to glycogen accumulation and conduction system disease. The accumulated glycogen can serve as an energy source, and the animals have contractile reserve during exercise. Because the dominant-negative alpha2 subunit attenuates the mutant PRKAG2 phenotype, AMPK complexes containing the alpha2 rather than the alpha1 subunit are the primary mediators of the effects of PRKAG2 mutations.

Role of AMP-activated protein kinase in the coordinated expression of genes controlling glucose and lipid metabolism in mouse white skeletal muscle

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) regulates metabolic adaptations in skeletal muscle. The aim of this study was to investigate whether AMPK modulates the expression of skeletal muscle genes that have been implicated in lipid and glucose metabolism under fed or fasting conditions.

METHODS

Two genetically modified animal models were used: AMPK gamma3 subunit knockout mice (Prkag3(-/-)) and skeletal muscle-specific transgenic mice (Tg-Prkag3(225Q)) that express a mutant (R225Q) gamma3 subunit. Levels of mRNA transcripts of genes involved in lipid and glucose metabolism in white gastrocnemius muscles of these mice (under fed or 16-h fasting conditions) were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR.

RESULTS

Wild-type mice displayed a coordinated increase in the transcription of skeletal muscle genes encoding proteins involved in lipid/oxidative metabolism (lipoprotein lipase, fatty acid transporter, carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 and citrate synthase) and glucose metabolism (glycogen synthase and lactate dehydrogenase) in response to fasting. In contrast, these fasting-induced responses were impaired in Prkag3(-/-) mice. The transcription of genes involved in lipid and oxidative metabolism was increased in the skeletal muscle of Tg-Prkag3(225Q) mice compared with that in wild-type mice. Moreover, the expression of the genes encoding hexokinase II and 6-phosphofrucktokinase was decreased in Tg-Prkag3(225Q) mice after fasting.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

AMPK is involved in the coordinated transcription of genes critical for lipid and glucose metabolism in white glycolytic skeletal muscle.

AICAR stimulates IL-6 production via p38 MAPK in cardiac fibroblasts in adult mice: a possible role for AMPK

Though known as a sensor of energy balance, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) was recently shown to limit damage and apoptotic activity and contribute to the late preconditioning in heart. Interleukin-6 was also reported to involve in anti-apoptosis and cardio-protection in myocardium. Interestingly, both AMPK activity and IL-6 level were increased in response to ischemia, hypertrophy and oxidative stress. To determine whether AMPK activation will promote IL-6 production, cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) from mice were incubated with AMPK activator, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-4-ribofuranoside (AICAR). The results demonstrated that AICAR time and dose-dependently stimulated IL-6 production by ELISA and immunofluorescence. Pretreatment with p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor blocked AICAR-induced IL-6 production; furthermore, AICAR-activated p38 MAPK phosphorylation by Western blot. To confirm that the increase in IL-6 production is ascribed to AMPK activation, we used another known AMPK activator, metformin. It also dose-dependently potentiated IL-6 production in CFs, and this potentiation could be reversed by p38 MAPK inhibitor. In conclusion, AMPK activation promoted IL-6 production in CFs via p38 MAPK-dependent pathway.

Evaluation of the role of AMP-activated protein kinase and its downstream targets in mammalian hibernation

Mammalian hibernation requires an extensive reorganization of metabolism that typically includes a greater than 95% reduction in metabolic rate, selective inhibition of many ATP-consuming metabolic activities and a change in fuel use to a primary dependence on the oxidation of lipid reserves. We investigated whether the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) could play a regulatory role in this reorganization. AMPK activity and the phosphorylation state of multiple downstream targets were assessed in five organs of thirteen-lined ground squirrels (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus) comparing euthermic animals with squirrels in deep torpor. AMPK activity was increased 3-fold in white adipose tissue from hibernating ground squirrels compared with euthermic controls, but activation was not seen in liver, skeletal muscle, brown adipose tissue or brain. Immunoblotting with phospho-specific antibodies revealed an increase in phosphorylation of eukaryotic elongation factor-2 at the inactivating Thr56 site in white adipose tissue, liver and brain of hibernators, but not in other tissues. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase phosphorylation at the inactivating Ser79 site was markedly increased in brown adipose tissue from hibernators, but no change was seen in white adipose tissue. No change was seen in the level of phosphorylation of the Ser565 AMPK site of hormone-sensitive lipase in adipose tissues of hibernating animals. In conclusion, AMPK does not appear to participate in the metabolic re-organization and/or the metabolic rate depression that occurs during ground squirrel hibernation.

Adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase regulates progesterone secretion in rat granulosa cells

The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a major regulator of energy metabolism involved in fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis. In the ovary, cholesterol plays a key role in steroid production. We report the presence of AMPK in rat ovaries, and we have investigated its role in granulosa cells. We show using RT-PCR and Western blot that the mRNAs for the alpha1/2 and beta1/2 subunits and the proteins are found in the ovaries. Immunohistochemistry localized the alpha1 AMPK subunit in granulosa cells, corpus luteum, and oocyte and less abundantly in theca cells. Treatment with 1 mm 5-amino-imidazole-4-carboxyamide-1-beta-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR), an activator of AMPK, increased dose-dependent and time-dependent phosphorylation of AMPKalpha1 on Thr172 in primary granulosa cells. Simultaneously, phosphorylation of acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase at Ser79 was also increased. AICAR treatment for 48 h halved progesterone secretion, 3beta-HSD protein and mRNA levels, and phosphorylation of both basal MAPK ERK1/2 and p38 and in response to IGF-I and/or FSH in granulosa cells. AICAR treatment (1 mM) had no detectable effect on basal and FSH- and/or IGF-I-induced estradiol production and on granulosa cell proliferation or viability. Adenovirus-mediated expression of dominant negative AMPK totally abolished the effects of AICAR on progesterone secretion, 3beta-HSD protein production, and MAPK ERK1/2 and p38 phosphorylation. Moreover, we showed using specific in- hibitors of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK that the MAPK ERK1/2 and not p38 is involved in progesterone secretion and 3beta-HSD expression, strongly suggesting that the activation of AMPK in response to AICAR reduces progesterone production through the MAPK ERK1/2 signaling pathway in rat granulosa cells.

Structural Basis for Glycogen Recognition by AMP-Activated Protein Kinase

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) coordinates cellular metabolism in response to energy demand as well as to a variety of stimuli. The AMPK beta subunit acts as a scaffold for the alpha catalytic and gamma regulatory subunits and targets the AMPK heterotrimer to glycogen. We have determined the structure of the AMPK beta glycogen binding domain in complex with beta-cyclodextrin. The structure reveals a carbohydrate binding pocket that consolidates all known aspects of carbohydrate binding observed in starch binding domains into one site, with extensive contact between several residues and five glucose units. beta-cyclodextrin is held in a pincer-like grasp with two tryptophan residues cradling two beta-cyclodextrin glucose units and a leucine residue piercing the beta-cyclodextrin ring. Mutation of key beta-cyclodextrin binding residues either partially or completely prevents the glycogen binding domain from binding glycogen. Modeling suggests that this binding pocket enables AMPK to interact with glycogen anywhere across the carbohydrate's helical surface.

Neurodegenerative mutants in Drosophila: a means to identify genes and mechanisms involved in human diseases?

There are 50 ways to leave your lover (Simon 1987) but many more to kill your brain cells. Several neurodegenerative diseases in humans, like Alzheimer's disease, have been intensely studied but the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms are still unknown for most of them. For those syndromes where associated gene products have been identified their biochemistry and physiological as well as pathogenic function is often still under debate. This is in part due to the inherent limitations of genetic analyses in humans and other mammals and therefore experimentally accessible invertebrate in vivo models, such as Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster, have recently been introduced to investigate neurodegenerative syndromes. Several laboratories have used transgenic approaches in Drosophila to study the human genes associated with neurodegenerative diseases. This has added substantially to our understanding of the mechanisms leading to neurodegenerative diseases in humans. The isolation and characterization of Drosophila mutants, which display a variety of neurodegenerative phenotypes, also provide valuable insights into genes, pathways, and mechanisms causing neurodegeneration. So far only about two dozen such mutants have been described but already their characterization reveals an involvement of various cellular functions in neurodegeneration, ranging from preventing oxidative stress to RNA editing. Some of the isolated genes can already be associated with human neurodegenerative diseases and hopefully the isolation and characterization of more of these mutants, together with an analysis of homologous genes in vertebrate models, will provide insights into the genetic and molecular basis of human neurodegenerative diseases.

AMP-activated protein kinase alpha2 activity is not essential for contraction- and hyperosmolarity-induced glucose transport in skeletal muscle

To examine the role of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in muscle glucose transport, we generated muscle-specific transgenic mice (TG) carrying cDNAs of inactive alpha2 (alpha2i TG) and alpha1 (alpha1i TG) catalytic subunits. Extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles from wild type and TG mice were isolated and subjected to a series of in vitro incubation experiments. In alpha2i TG mice basal alpha2 activity was barely detectable, whereas basal alpha1 activity was only partially reduced. Known AMPK stimuli including 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-beta-4-ribofuranoside (AICAR), rotenone (a Complex I inhibitor), dinitrophenol (a mitochondrial uncoupler), muscle contraction, and sorbitol (producing hyperosmolar shock) did not increase AMPK alpha2 activity in alpha2i TG mice, whereas alpha1 activation was attenuated by only 30-50%. Glucose transport was measured in vitro using isolated EDL muscles from alpha2i TG mice. AICAR- and rotenone-stimulated glucose transport was fully inhibited in alpha2i TG mice; however, the lack of AMPK alpha2 activity had no effect on contraction- or sorbitol-induced glucose transport. Similar to these observations in vitro, contraction-stimulated glucose transport, assessed in vivo by 2-deoxy-d-[(3)H]glucose incorporation into EDL, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius muscles, was normal in alpha2i TG mice. Thus, AMPK alpha2 activation is essential for some, but not all, insulin-independent glucose transport. Muscle contraction- and hyperosmolarity-induced glucose transport may be regulated by a redundant mechanism in which AMPK alpha2 is one of multiple signaling pathways.

Effect of deguelin on UVB-induced skin carcinogenesis

Nonmelanoma skin cancer afflicts more than one million people in the U.S. annually, highlighting the need for more effective preventive regimens. We have investigated the ability of deguelin, a plant-derived rotenoid with cancer chemopreventive activity, to inhibit UVB-induced skin carcinogenesis with the SKh-1 mouse model. Topically-applied deguelin significantly inhibited the multiplicity of UVB-induced skin tumors, indicating potential as a human skin cancer chemopreventive agent. Mechanistic studies to determine the potential of deguelin to block a number of established UVB-induced molecular events yielded negative results [including UVB-induced AP-1 DNA binding, c-fos and TNFalpha mRNA induction, arachidonic acid release and UVB-induced phosphorylation of mTOR (Ser2448), akt (Ser473) and erk (Thr202/Tyr204)]. These results are of interest as they contradict a major hypothesis for the mode of action of deguelin, i.e., a general down regulation of signal transduction based on inhibition of NADH dehydrogenase and depletion of ATP levels. In the current work, however, deguelin was found to activate 5' AMP-activated kinase (AMPK), a protein that acts as a cellular energy sensor. This is the first report of a chemopreventive agent having this effect and suggests a possible role for AMPK in cancer chemoprevention.

Contraction signaling to glucose transport in skeletal muscle

Contracting skeletal muscles acutely increases glucose transport in both healthy individuals and in people with Type 2 diabetes, and regular physical exercise is a cornerstone in the treatment of the disease. Glucose transport in skeletal muscle is dependent on the translocation of GLUT4 glucose transporters to the cell surface. It has long been believed that there are two major signaling mechanisms leading to GLUT4 translocation. One mechanism is insulin-activated signaling through insulin receptor substrate-1 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. The other is an insulin-independent signaling mechanism that is activated by contractions, but the mediators of this signal are still unknown. Accumulating evidence suggests that the energy-sensing enzyme AMP-activated protein kinase plays an important role in contraction-stimulated glucose transport. However, more recent studies in transgenic and knockout animals show that AMP-activated protein kinase is not the sole mediator of the signal to GLUT4 translocation and suggest that there may be redundant signaling pathways leading to contraction-stimulated glucose transport. The search for other possible signal intermediates is ongoing, and calcium, nitric oxide, bradykinin, and the Akt substrate AS160 have been suggested as possible candidates. Further research is needed because full elucidation of an insulin-independent signal leading to glucose transport would be a promising pharmacological target for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes.

Glucose-regulated Glucagon Secretion Requires Insulin Receptor Expression in Pancreatic α-Cells

The insulin receptor (IR) and its signaling appear to be essential for insulin secretion from pancreatic beta-cells. However, much less is known about the role of the IR in alpha-cells. To assess the role of the IR in glucagon and insulin secretion, we engineered adeno-viruses for high efficiency small interference RNA (siRNA)-IR expression in isolated mouse pancreatic islets and lentiviruses for siRNA-IR expression in pancreatic alpha- and beta-cell lines (alpha-TC6 and MIN6) with specific, long term stable IR knockdown. Western blot analysis showed that these strategies resulted in 60-80% reduction of IR protein in islets and alpha- and beta-cell lines. Cell growth was reduced by 35-50% in alpha-TC and MIN6 cells stably expressing siRNA-IR, respectively. Importantly, glucagon secretion, in response to glucose (25 to 2.8 mm), was completely abolished in islets expressing siRNA-IR, whereas secretion increased 1.7-fold in islets expressing control siRNA. In contrast, there was no difference in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion when comparing siRNA-IR and siRNA control, with both groups showing a 1.7-fold increase. Islet glucagon and insulin content were also unaffected by IR knockdown. To further explore the role of the IR, siRNA-IR was stably expressed in pancreatic cell lines, which dramatically suppressed glucose-regulated glucagon secretion in alpha-TC6 cells (3.4-fold) but did not affect GSIS in MIN6 cells. Defects in siRNA-IR-expressing alpha-cells were associated with an alteration in the activity of Akt and p70S6K where insulin-induced phosphorylation of protein kinase B/AKt was greatly reduced while p70S6K activation was enhanced, suggesting that the related pathways play important roles in alpha cell function. This study provides direct evidence that appropriate expression of the IR in alpha-cells is required for glucose-dependent glucagon secretion.

Akt activates the mammalian target of rapamycin by regulating cellular ATP level and AMPK activity

The serine/threonine kinase Akt is an upstream positive regulator of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). However, the mechanism by which Akt activates mTOR is not fully understood. The known pathway by which Akt activates mTOR is via direct phosphorylation and inhibition of tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2), which is a negative regulator of mTOR. Here we establish an additional pathway by which Akt inhibits TSC2 and activates mTOR. We provide for the first time genetic evidence that Akt regulates intracellular ATP level and demonstrate that Akt is a negative regulator of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which is an activator of TSC2. We show that in Akt1/Akt2 DKO cells AMP/ATP ratio is markedly elevated with concomitant increase in AMPK activity, whereas in cells expressing activated Akt there is a dramatic decrease in AMP/ATP ratio and a decline in AMPK activity. Currently, the Akt-mediated phosphorylation of TSC2 and the inhibition of AMPK-mediated phosphorylation of TSC2 are viewed as two separate pathways, which activate mTOR. Our results demonstrate that Akt lies upstream of these two pathways and induces full inhibition of TSC2 and activation of mTOR both through direct phosphorylation and by inhibition of AMPK-mediated phosphorylation of TSC2. We propose that the activation of mTOR by Akt-mediated cellular energy and inhibition of AMPK is the predominant pathway by which Akt activates mTOR in vivo.

Involvement of transforming growth factor-beta 1 signaling in hypoxia-induced tolerance to glucose starvation

Because survival and growth of human hepatoma cells are maintained by nutrient, especially glucose, glucose starvation induces acute cell death. The cell death is markedly suppressed by hypoxia, and we have reported involvement of AMP-activated protein kinase-alpha (AMPK-alpha), Akt, and ARK5 in hypoxia-induced tolerance. In the current study we investigated the mechanism of hypoxia-induced tolerance in human hepatoma cell line HepG2. ARK5 expression was induced in HepG2 cells when they were subjected to glucose starvation, and we found that glucose starvation transiently induced Akt and AMPK-alpha phosphorylation and that hypoxia prolonged phosphorylation of both protein kinases. We also found that hypoxia-induced tolerance was partially abrogated by blocking the Akt/ARK5 system or by suppressing AMPK-alpha expression and that suppression of both completely abolished the tolerance, suggesting that AMPK-alpha activation signaling and the Akt/ARK5 system play independent essential roles in hypoxia-induced tolerance. By using chemical compounds that specifically inhibit kinase activity of type I-transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) receptor, we showed an involvement of TGF-beta in hypoxia-induced tolerance. TGF-beta1 mRNA expression was induced by hypoxia in an hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha-independent manner, and addition of recombinant TGF-beta suppressed cell death during glucose starvation even under normoxic condition. AMPK-alpha, Akt, and ARK5 were activated by TGF-beta1, and Akt and AMPK-alpha phosphorylation, which was prolonged by hypoxia, was suppressed by an inhibitor of type I TGF-beta receptor. Based on these findings, we propose that hypoxia-induced tumor cell tolerance to glucose starvation is caused by hypoxia-induced TGF-beta1 through AMPK-alpha activation and the Akt/ARK5 system.

Hypothalamic sensing of fatty acids

Selective regions of the brain, including the hypothalamus, are capable of gathering information on the body's nutritional status in order to implement appropriate behavioral and metabolic responses to changes in fuel availability. This review focuses on direct metabolic signaling within the hypothalamus. There is growing evidence supporting the idea that fatty acid metabolism within discrete hypothalamic regions can function as a sensor for nutrient availability that can integrate multiple nutritional and hormonal signals.

AICAR suppresses IL-2 expression through inhibition of GSK-3 phosphorylation and NF-AT activation in Jurkat T cells

We examined the effect of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside (AICAR), the dephosphorylated form of AICA ribotide (also termed "ZMP"), an intermediate of purine biosynthesis, on interleukin (IL)-2 production in T cells. AICAR inhibited IL-2 production in Jurkat T cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes activated with PMA plus ionomycin (PMA/Io) or with monoclonal anti-CD3 plus anti-CD28. Pretreatment with 5'-iodotubercidin, an adenosine kinase inhibitor, enhanced AICAR suppression of IL-2 production, suggesting that AICAR, not ZMP, is responsible for IL-2 suppression. We then showed that AICAR inhibited PMA/Io-induced IL-2 mRNA expression and IL-2 promoter activation. AICAR inhibited DNA binding and transcriptional activation of NF-AT and to a lesser extent AP-1, but not NF-kappaB, in PMA/Io-activated Jurkat cells. Finally, we found that AICAR inhibited PMA/Io-induced phosphorylation of GSK-3 but not phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38, and JNK. These results suggest that AICAR exerts its immunosuppressive effect in activated Jurkat cells by inhibiting GSK-3 phosphorylation and NF-AT activation.