Glucose transport activity in L6 muscle cells is regulated by the coordinate control of subcellular glucose transporter distribution, biosynthesis, and mRNA transcription

The actin-related p41ARC subunit contributes to p21-activated kinase-1 (PAK1)-mediated glucose uptake into skeletal muscle cells

Defects in translocation of the glucose transporter GLUT4 are associated with peripheral insulin resistance, preclinical diabetes, and progression to type 2 diabetes. GLUT4 recruitment to the plasma membrane of skeletal muscle cells requires F-actin remodeling. Insulin signaling in muscle requires p21-activated kinase-1 (PAK1), whose downstream signaling triggers actin remodeling, which promotes GLUT4 vesicle translocation and glucose uptake into skeletal muscle cells. Actin remodeling is a cyclic process, and although PAK1 is known to initiate changes to the cortical actin-binding protein cofilin to stimulate the depolymerizing arm of the cycle, how PAK1 might trigger the polymerizing arm of the cycle remains unresolved. Toward this, we investigated whether PAK1 contributes to the mechanisms involving the actin-binding and -polymerizing proteins neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP), cortactin, and ARP2/3 subunits. We found that the actin-polymerizing ARP2/3 subunit p41ARC is a PAK1 substrate in skeletal muscle cells. Moreover, co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that insulin stimulates p41ARC phosphorylation and increases its association with N-WASP coordinately with the associations of N-WASP with cortactin and actin. Importantly, all of these associations were ablated by the PAK inhibitor IPA3, suggesting that PAK1 activation lies upstream of these actin-polymerizing complexes. Using the N-WASP inhibitor wiskostatin, we further demonstrated that N-WASP is required for localized F-actin polymerization, GLUT4 vesicle translocation, and glucose uptake. These results expand the model of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells by implicating p41ARC as a new component of the insulin-signaling cascade and connecting PAK1 signaling to N-WASP-cortactin-mediated actin polymerization and GLUT4 vesicle translocation.

A Small Insulinomimetic Molecule Also Improves Insulin Sensitivity in Diabetic Mice

Dramatic increase of diabetes over the globe is in tandem with the increase in insulin requirement. This is because destruction and dysfunction of pancreatic β-cells are of common occurrence in both Type1 diabetes and Type2 diabetes, and insulin injection becomes a compulsion. Because of several problems associated with insulin injection, orally active insulin mimetic compounds would be ideal substitute. Here we report a small molecule, a peroxyvanadate compound i.e. DmpzH[VO(O2)2(dmpz)], henceforth referred as dmp, which specifically binds to insulin receptor with considerable affinity (KD-1.17μM) thus activating insulin receptor tyrosine kinase and its downstream signaling molecules resulting increased uptake of [14C] 2 Deoxy-glucose. Oral administration of dmp to streptozotocin treated BALB/c mice lowers blood glucose level and markedly stimulates glucose and fatty acid uptake by skeletal muscle and adipose tissue respectively. In db/db mice, it greatly improves insulin sensitivity through excess expression of PPARγ and its target genes i.e. adiponectin, CD36 and aP2. Study on the underlying mechanism demonstrated that excess expression of Wnt3a decreased PPARγ whereas dmp suppression of Wnt3a gene increased PPARγ expression which subsequently augmented adiponectin. Increased production of adiponectin in db/db mice due to dmp effected lowering of circulatory TG and FFA levels, activates AMPK in skeletal muscle and this stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis and bioenergetics. Decrease of lipid load along with increased mitochondrial activity greatly improves energy homeostasis which has been found to be correlated with the increased insulin sensitivity. The results obtained with dmp, therefore, strongly indicate that dmp could be a potential candidate for insulin replacement therapy.

Elevated levels of TWEAK in skeletal muscle promote visceral obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic dysfunction

Skeletal muscle is responsible for the majority of glucose disposal in body. Impairment in skeletal muscle glucose handling capacity leads to the state of insulin resistance. The TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) cytokine has now emerged as a major regulator of skeletal muscle mass and function. However, the role of TWEAK in skeletal muscle metabolic function remains less understood. Here, we demonstrate that with progressive age, skeletal muscle-specific TWEAK-transgenic (TWEAK-Tg) mice gain increased body weight (∼16%) and fat mass (∼64%) and show glucose intolerance and insulin insensitivity. TWEAK-Tg mice also exhibit adipocyte hypertrophy in the epididymal fat. Oxygen uptake, voluntary physical activity, and exercise capacity were significantly reduced in TWEAK-Tg mice compared with controls. Overexpression of TWEAK inhibited (∼31%) 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and reduced (∼31%) the levels of glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) without affecting the Akt pathway. TWEAK also inhibited insulin-stimulated glucose uptake (∼32%) and repressed the levels of GLUT4 (∼50%) in cultured myotubes from C57BL6 mice. TWEAK represses the levels of Krüppel-like factor 15; myocyte enhancer factor 2, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α, which are required for the activation of the GLUT4 locus. Collectively our study demonstrates that elevated levels of TWEAK in skeletal muscle cause metabolic abnormalities. Inhibition of TWEAK could be a potential approach to prevent weight gain and type 2 diabetes.

Signaling of the p21-activated kinase (PAK1) coordinates insulin-stimulated actin remodeling and glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells

Skeletal muscle accounts for ∼ 80% of postprandial glucose clearance, and skeletal muscle glucose clearance is crucial for maintaining insulin sensitivity and euglycemia. Insulin-stimulated glucose clearance/uptake entails recruitment of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) to the plasma membrane (PM) in a process that requires cortical F-actin remodeling; this process is dysregulated in Type 2 Diabetes. Recent studies have implicated PAK1 as a required element in GLUT4 recruitment in mouse skeletal muscle in vivo, although its underlying mechanism of action and requirement in glucose uptake remains undetermined. Toward this, we have employed the PAK1 inhibitor, IPA3, in studies using L6-GLUT4-myc muscle cells. IPA3 fully ablated insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation to the PM, corroborating the observation of ablated insulin-stimulated GLUT4 accumulation in the PM of skeletal muscle from PAK1(-/-) knockout mice. IPA3-treatment also abolished insulin-stimulated glucose uptake into skeletal myotubes. Mechanistically, live-cell imaging of myoblasts expressing the F-actin biosensor LifeAct-GFP treated with IPA3 showed blunting of the normal insulin-induced cortical actin remodeling. This blunting was underpinned by a loss of normal insulin-stimulated cofilin dephosphorylation in IPA3-treated myoblasts. These findings expand upon the existing model of actin remodeling in glucose uptake, by placing insulin-stimulated PAK1 signaling as a required upstream step to facilitate actin remodeling and subsequent cofilin dephosphorylation. Active, dephosphorylated cofilin then provides the G-actin substrate for continued F-actin remodeling to facilitate GLUT4 vesicle translocation for glucose uptake into the skeletal muscle cell.

Doc2b enrichment enhances glucose homeostasis in mice via potentiation of insulin secretion and peripheral insulin sensitivity

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake into skeletal muscle are processes regulated by similar isoforms of the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor-attachment protein receptor (SNARE) and mammalian homologue of unc-18 (Munc18) protein families. Double C2 domain β (Doc2b), a SNARE- and Munc18-interacting protein, is implicated as a crucial effector of glycaemic control. However, whether Doc2b is naturally limiting for these processes, and whether Doc2b enrichment might exert a beneficial effect upon glycaemia in vivo, remains undetermined.

METHODS

Tetracycline-repressible transgenic (Tg) mice engineered to overexpress Doc2b simultaneously in the pancreas, skeletal muscle and adipose tissues were compared with wild-type (Wt) littermate mice regarding glucose and insulin tolerance, islet function in vivo and ex vivo, and skeletal muscle GLUT4 accumulation in transverse tubule/sarcolemmal surface membranes. SNARE complex formation was further assessed using Doc2b overexpressing L6-GLUT4-myc myoblasts to derive mechanisms relatable to physiological in vivo analyses.

RESULTS

Doc2b Tg mice cleared glucose substantially faster than Wt mice, correlated with enhancements in both phases of insulin secretion and peripheral insulin sensitivity. Heightened peripheral insulin sensitivity correlated with elevated insulin-stimulated GLUT4 vesicle accumulation in cell surface membranes of Doc2b Tg mouse skeletal muscle. Mechanistic studies demonstrated Doc2b enrichment to enhance syntaxin-4-SNARE complex formation in skeletal muscle cells.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Doc2b is a limiting factor in SNARE exocytosis events pertinent to glycaemic regulation in vivo. Doc2b enrichment may provide a novel means to simultaneously boost islet and skeletal muscle function in vivo in the treatment and/or prevention of diabetes.

Phosphorylation of the insulin receptor by AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) promotes ligand-independent activation of the insulin signalling pathway in rodent muscle

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Muscle may experience hypoglycaemia during ischaemia or insulin infusion. During severe hypoglycaemia energy production is blocked, and an increase of AMP:ATP activates the energy sensor and putative insulin-sensitiser AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). AMPK promotes energy conservation and survival by shutting down anabolism and activating catabolic pathways. We investigated the molecular mechanism of a unique glucose stress defence pathway involving AMPK-dependent, insulin-independent activation of the insulin signalling pathway.

METHODS

Cardiac or skeletal myocytes were subjected to glucose and insulin-free incubation for increasing intervals up to 20 h. AMPK, and components of the insulin signalling pathway and their targets were quantified by western blot using phosphor-specific antibodies. Phosphomimetics were used to determine the function of IRS-1 Ser789 phosphorylation and in vitro [³²P]ATP kinase assays were used to measure the phosphorylation of the purified insulin receptor by AMPK.

RESULTS

Glucose deprivation increased Akt-Thr308 and Akt-Ser473 phosphorylation by almost tenfold. Phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta increased in parallel, but phosphorylation of ribosomal 70S subunit-S6 protein kinase and mammalian target of rapamycin decreased. AMPK inhibitors blocked and aminoimidazole carboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR) mimicked the effects of glucose starvation. Glucose deprivation increased the phosphorylation of IRS-1 on serine-789, but phosphomimetics revealed that this conferred negative regulation. Glucose deprivation enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 and the insulin receptor, effects that were blocked by AMPK inhibition and mimicked by AICAR. In vitro kinase assays using purified proteins confirmed that the insulin receptor is a direct target of AMPK.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

AMPK phosphorylates and activates the insulin receptor, providing a direct link between AMPK and the insulin signalling pathway; this pathway promotes energy conservation and survival of muscle exposed to severe glucose deprivation.

The role of hyperglycemia in burned patients: evidence-based studies

Severely burned patients typically experience a systemic response expressed as increased metabolism, inflammation, alteration of cardiac and immune function, and associated hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia has been associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. Until recently and for many years, hyperglycemia has been expectantly managed and considered a normal and desired response of an organism to stress. However, findings reported from recent studies now suggest beneficial effects of intensive insulin treatment of critically ill patients. The literature on the management of hyperglycemia in severely burned patients is sparse, with most of the available studies involving only small numbers of burned patients. The purpose of this article is to describe the pathophysiology of hyperglycemia after severe burns and to review the available literature on the outcome of intensive insulin treatment and other anti-hyperglycemic modalities in burned patients in an evidence-based medical approach.

Molecular mechanisms involved in Sertoli cell adaptation to glucose deprivation

Sertoli cells provide the physical support and the necessary environment for germ cell development. Among the products secreted by Sertoli cells, lactate, the preferred energy substrate for spermatocytes and spermatids, is present. Considering the essential role of lactate on germ cell metabolism, it is supposed that Sertoli cells must ensure its production even in adverse conditions, such as those that would result from a decrease in glucose levels in the extracellular milieu. The aim of the present study was to investigate 1) a possible effect of glucose deprivation on glucose uptake and on the expression of glucose transporters in rat Sertoli cells and 2) the participation of different signal transduction pathways in the above-mentioned regulation. Results obtained show that decreasing glucose levels in Sertoli cell culture medium provokes 1) an increase in glucose uptake accompanied by only a slight decrease in lactate production, 2) an increase in GLUT1 and a decrease in GLUT3 expression, and 3) an activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/PKB-, and p38 MAPK-dependent pathways. Additionally, by using specific inhibitors of these pathways, a possible participation of AMPK- and p38MAPK-dependent pathways in the regulation of glucose uptake and GLUT1 expression is shown. These results suggest that Sertoli cells adapt to conditions of glucose deprivation to ensure an adequate lactate concentration in the microenvironment where germ cell development occurs.

Involvement of the p66Shc protein in glucose transport regulation in skeletal muscle myoblasts

The p66(Shc) protein isoform regulates MAP kinase activity and the actin cytoskeleton turnover, which are both required for normal glucose transport responses. To investigate the role of p66(Shc) in glucose transport regulation in skeletal muscle cells, L6 myoblasts with antisense-mediated reduction (L6/p66(Shc)as) or adenovirus-mediated overexpression (L6/p66(Shc)adv) of the p66(Shc) protein were examined. L6/(Shc)as myoblasts showed constitutive activation of ERK-1/2 and disruption of the actin network, associated with an 11-fold increase in basal glucose transport. GLUT1 and GLUT3 transporter proteins were sevenfold and fourfold more abundant, respectively, and were localized throughout the cytoplasm. Conversely, in L6 myoblasts overexpressing p66(Shc), basal glucose uptake rates were reduced by 30% in parallel with a approximately 50% reduction in total GLUT1 and GLUT3 transporter levels. Inhibition of the increased ERK-1/2 activity with PD98059 in L6/(Shc)as cells had a minimal effect on increased GLUT1 and GLUT3 protein levels, but restored the actin cytoskeleton, and reduced the abnormally high basal glucose uptake by 70%. In conclusion, p66(Shc) appears to regulate the glucose transport system in skeletal muscle myoblasts by controlling, via MAP kinase, the integrity of the actin cytoskeleton and by modulating cellular expression of GLUT1 and GLUT3 transporter proteins via ERK-independent pathways.

Functional role of sortilin in myogenesis and development of insulin-responsive glucose transport system in C2C12 myocytes

Sortilin has been implicated in the formation of insulin-responsive GLUT4 storage vesicles in adipocytes by regulating sorting events between the trans-Golgi-network and endosomes. We herein show that sortilin serves as a potent myogenic differentiation stimulator for C2C12 myocytes by cooperatively functioning with p75NTR, which subsequently further contributes to development of the insulin-responsive glucose transport system in C2C12 myotubes. Sortilin expression was up-regulated upon C2C12 differentiation, and overexpression of sortilin in C2C12 cells significantly stimulated myogenic differentiation, a response that was completely abolished by either anti-p75NTR- or anti-nerve growth factor (NGF)-neutralizing antibodies. Importantly, small interference RNA-mediated suppression of endogenous sortilin significantly inhibited C2C12 differentiation, indicating the physiological significance of sortilin expression in the process of myogenesis. Although sortilin overexpression in C2C12 myotubes improved insulin-induced 2-deoxyglucose uptake, as previously reported, this effect apparently resulted from a decrease in the cellular content of GLUT1 and an increase in GLUT4 via differentiation-dependent alterations at both the gene transcriptional and the post-translational level. In addition, cellular contents of Ubc9 and SUMO-modified proteins appeared to be increased by sortilin overexpression. Taken together, these data demonstrate that sortilin is involved not only in development of the insulin-responsive glucose transport system in myocytes, but is also directly involved in muscle differentiation via modulation of proNGF-p75NTR.

Regulation of glucose transporters by insulin and extracellular glucose in C2C12 myotubes

It is well established that insulin stimulation of glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells is mediated through translocation of GLUT4 from intracellular storage sites to the cell surface. However, the established skeletal muscle cell lines, with the exception of L6 myocytes, reportedly show minimal insulin-dependent glucose uptake and GLUT4 translocation. Using C(2)C(12) myocytes expressing exofacial-Myc-GLUT4-enhanced cyan fluorescent protein, we herein show that differentiated C(2)C(12) myotubes are equipped with basic GLUT4 translocation machinery that can be activated by insulin stimulation ( approximately 3-fold increase as assessed by anti-Myc antibody uptake and immunostaining assay). However, this insulin stimulation of GLUT4 translocation was difficult to demonstrate with a conventional 2-deoxyglucose uptake assay because of markedly elevated basal glucose uptake via other glucose transporter(s). Intriguingly, the basal glucose transport activity in C(2)C(12) myotubes appeared to be acutely suppressed within 5 min by preincubation with a pathophysiologically high level of extracellular glucose (25 mM). In contrast, this activity was augmented by acute glucose deprivation via an unidentified mechanism that is independent of GLUT4 translocation but is dependent on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity. Taken together, these findings indicate that regulation of the facilitative glucose transport system in differentiated C(2)C(12) myotubes can be achieved through surprisingly acute glucose-dependent modulation of the activity of glucose transporter(s), which apparently contributes to obscuring the insulin augmentation of glucose uptake elicited by GLUT4 translocation. We herein also describe several methods of monitoring insulin-dependent glucose uptake in C(2)C(12) myotubes and propose this cell line to be a useful model for analyzing GLUT4 translocation in skeletal muscle.

Acute activation of glucose uptake by glucose deprivation in L929 fibroblast cells

Glucose is a very important energy source for a wide variety of cells, and the ability of cells to respond to changes in glucose availability or other cell stresses is of critical importance. Many mammalian cells respond to acute stress by increasing the V(max) of transport through GLUT1; the most ubiquitously expressed glucose transporter isoform. This study investigated the acute response of glucose uptake to glucose deprivation in L929 fibroblast cells--a cell line that expresses only the GLUT1 transporter. Results indicated that glucose deprivation of only a minute activated glucose uptake 10-fold and reached a maximum of 20-fold within 10 min. The activation was dose dependent and only partially muted by addition of up to 20mM pyruvate as an alternate energy source. In contrast to the kinetics of acute metabolic stress, glucose deprivation decreased the K(m) of transport, but did not alter the V(max). Maximal activation of glucose transport by glucose deprivation was completely additive to activation of transport by methylene blue--a stimulant that increased the V(max) of transport without a change in the K(m). Glucose-deprived activation of glucose transport was not inhibited by wortmannin or herbimycin A, but was completely inhibited by phenylarsine oxide. Altogether, the data indicate that L929 fibroblast cells respond quickly and robustly to the cell stress of glucose deprivation and methylene blue treatment by two distinct activation pathways.

Loss of cortical actin filaments in insulin-resistant skeletal muscle cells impairs GLUT4 vesicle trafficking and glucose transport

Study has demonstrated an essential role of cortical filamentous actin (F-actin) in insulin-regulated glucose uptake by skeletal muscle. Here, we tested whether perturbations in F-actin contributed to impaired insulin responsiveness provoked by hyperinsulinemia. In L6 myotubes stably expressing GLUT4 that carries an exofacial myc-epitope tag, acute insulin stimulation (20 min, 100 nM) increased GLUT4myc translocation and glucose uptake by approximately 2-fold. In contrast, a hyperinsulinemic state, induced by inclusion of 5 nM insulin in the medium for 12 h decreased the ability of insulin to stimulate these processes. Defects in insulin signaling did not readily account for the observed disruption. In contrast, hyperinsulinemia reduced cortical F-actin. This occurred concomitant with a loss of plasma membrane phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP(2)), a lipid involved in cytoskeletal regulation. Restoration of plasma membrane PIP(2) in hyperinsulinemic cells restored F-actin and insulin responsiveness. Consistent with these in vitro observations suggesting that the hyperinsulinemic state negatively affects cortical F-actin structure, epitrochlearis skeletal muscle from insulin-resistant hyperinsulinemic Zucker fatty rats displayed a similar loss of F-actin structure compared with that in muscle from lean insulin-sensitive littermates. We propose that a component of insulin-induced insulin resistance in skeletal muscle involves defects in PIP(2)/F-actin structure essential for insulin-regulated glucose transport.

Inhibition of glucose uptake in murine cardiomyocyte cell line HL-1 by cardioprotective drugs dilazep and dipyridamole

Inhibition of adenosine reuptake by nucleoside transport inhibitors, such as dipyridamole and dilazep, is proposed to increase extracellular levels of adenosine and thereby potentiate adenosine receptor-dependent pathways that promote cardiovascular health. Thus adenosine can act as a paracrine and/or autocrine hormone, which has been shown to regulate glucose uptake in some cell types. However, the role of adenosine in modulating glucose transport in cardiomyocytes is not clear. Therefore, we investigated whether exogenously applied adenosine or inhibition of adenosine transport by S-(4-nitrobenzyl)-6-thioinosine (NBTI), dipyridamole, or dilazep modulated basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in the murine cardiomyocyte cell line HL-1. HL-1 cell lysates were subjected to SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting to determine which GLUT isoforms are present. Glucose uptake was measured in the presence of dipyridamole (3-300 microM), dilazep (1-100 microM), NBTI (10-500 nM), and adenosine (50-250 microM) or the nonmetabolizable adenosine analog 2-chloro-adenosine (250 microM). Our results demonstrated that HL-1 cells possess GLUT1 and GLUT4, the isoforms typically present in cardiomyocytes. We found no evidence for adenosine-dependent regulation of basal or insulin-stimulated glucose transport in HL-1 cardiomyocytes. However, we did observe a dose-dependent inhibition of glucose transport by dipyridamole (basal, IC(50) = 12.2 microM, insulin stimulated, IC(50) = 13.09 microM) and dilazep (basal, IC(50) = 5.7 microM, insulin stimulated, IC(50) = 19 microM) but not NBTI. Thus our data suggest that dipyridamole and dilazep, which are widely used to specifically inhibit nucleoside transport, have a broader spectrum of transport inhibition than previously described. Moreover, these data may explain previous observations, in which dipyridamole was noted to be proischemic at high doses.

Glucose autoregulates its uptake in skeletal muscle: involvement of AMP-activated protein kinase

Preexposure to a low concentration of glucose upregulates glucose transport into skeletal muscle, whereas exposure to a high concentration of glucose has the opposite effect. This autoregulatory process occurs independently of insulin, and the mechanism by which it operates is incompletely understood. Activation of the energy-sensing enzyme AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has been shown to increase insulin-independent glucose transport into skeletal muscle in response to such stimuli as exercise and hypoxia. In the present study, we examined whether AMPK could also mediate glucose autoregulation. The activity of the alpha2 isoform of AMPK and 2-deoxyglucose uptake were assessed in incubated rat extensor digitorum longus muscle after preincubation for 4 h in media containing 0, 3, 6, or 25 mmol/l glucose. The principal findings were as follows. First, AMPK activity was highest in muscles incubated with no added glucose, and it decreased as the concentration of glucose was increased. In keeping with these findings, the concentration of malonyl CoA was increased, and acetyl CoA carboxylase phosphorylation at serine 79 was decreased as the medium glucose concentration was raised. Second, decreases in AMPK activity at the higher glucose concentrations correlated closely with decreases in glucose transport (2-deoxyglucose uptake), measured during a subsequent 20-min incubation at 6 mmol/l glucose (r(2) = 0.93, P < 0.001). Third, the decrease in AMPK activity at the higher glucose concentrations was not associated with changes in whole-tissue concentrations of creatine phosphate or adenine nucleotides; however, it did correlate with increases in the rate of glycolysis, as estimated by lactate release. The results suggest that glucose autoregulates its own transport into skeletal muscle by a mechanism involving AMPK. They also suggest that this autoregulatory mechanism is not paralleled by changes in whole-tissue concentrations of creatine phosphate ATP, or AMP, but they leave open the possibility that alterations in a cytosolic pool of these compounds play a regulatory role.

Glucose uptake and metabolism in the Trichinella spiralis nurse cell

Isolated Trichinella spiralis nurse cells transport a significantly greater amount of glucose/mg of protein than the normal skeletal muscle cell line (L6). V(max) and K(m) estimations revealed that nurse cells have a much higher saturation point than L6 cells for glucose. The effects of numerous physiological conditions (Na(+) concentration, pH, and temperature) on nurse cell glucose uptake were investigated. It was determined that sodium concentration had no effect on glucose uptake. Low (<6.5) and high (>7.3) pH and low (5 degrees C) temperatures significantly effected glucose uptake. The two hormones, insulin and epinephrine, appeared to have little, if any, influence on the rate of glucose uptake by nurse cells. Glucose uptake was inhibited in the presence of 6-carbon carbohydrates. The H(+)/glucose symport inhibitors, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD) and Carbonyl cyanide 4-trifluoromethoxyphenlhydrazone (FCCP), and the facilitated diffusion inhibitor phloretin also inhibited glucose uptake. Oubain, a Na(+)/glucose symport inhibitor, did not inhibit glucose uptake. These data, in conjunction with Western blot analyses, revealed that the transport of glucose occurs via H(+)/glucose symport and facilitated diffusion, perhaps through the glucose transport proteins GLUT 1 and/or 4. It was also demonstrated that nurse cells are capable of synthesising glycogen. It appears that glycogen is in a constant state of flux and physiological conditions, such as glucose concentration, significantly influence the synthesis of this macromolecule. We conclude that these results are consistent with the hypothesis that nurse cells, at least maintained in vitro, are metabolically highly active but show significant divergence from normal muscle cells in several fundamental aspects of sugar metabolism.

Distinct regulation of glucose transport and GLUT1/GLUT3 transporters by glucose deprivation and IGF-I in chromaffin cells

Effects of prolonged metabolic (glucose deprivation) and hormonal [insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I)] challenge on regulation of glucose transporter (GLUT) expression, glucose transport rate and possible signaling pathways involved were studied in the neuroendocrine chromaffin cell. The results show that bovine chromaffin cells express both GLUT1 and GLUT3. Glucose deprivation and IGF-I activation led to an elevation of GLUT1 and GLUT3 mRNA, the strongest effect being that of IGF-I on GLUT3 mRNA. Both types of stimulus increased the GLUT1 protein content in a cycloheximide (CHX)-sensitive manner, and the glucose transport rate was elevated by 3- to 4-fold after 48 h under both experimental conditions. IGF-I-induced glucose uptake was totally suppressed by CHX. In contrast, only approximately 50% of transport activation in glucose-deprived cells was sensitive to the protein synthesis inhibitor. Specific inhibitors of mTOR/FRAP and p38 MAPK each partially blocked IGF-I-stimulated glucose transport, but had no effect on transport rate in glucose-deprived cells. The results are consistent with IGF-I-activated transport being completely dependent on new GLUT protein synthesis while the enhanced transport in glucose-deprived cells was partially achieved independent of new synthesis of proteins, suggesting a mechanism relying on preexisting transporters.

Sibutramine metabolites increase glucose transport by cultured rat muscle cells

BACKGROUND

The anti-obesity agent sibutramine, a serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), has been shown to reduce insulin resistance and improve glycaemic control in obese-diabetic ob/ob mice and overweight type 2 diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether sibutramine or its metabolites act directly on muscle cells to improve glucose uptake and insulin action.

DESIGN

Uptake of the non-metabolized glucose analogue 2-deoxyglucose was measured in cultured L6 rat muscle cells after incubation with sibutramine, its two pharmacologically active metabolites and related agents.

RESULTS

Sibutramine itself (10(-8)-10(-6) M) did not significantly affect 2-deoxyglucose uptake during incubations up to 72 h. The primary amine metabolite M2 (10(-7) and 10(-6) M) increased basal and insulin-stimulated 2-deoxyglucose uptake (by 12% and 34%) after 24 h incubation. These effects of M2 were lost by 72 h incubation. However, the secondary amine metabolite M1 (10(-6) M) increased basal and insulin-stimulated 2-deoxyglucose uptake (by 50%) after 72 h incubation, although M1 was ineffective after 24 h. M2 stimulated 2-deoxyglucose uptake in the presence of LY-294,002 (an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase) but the effect of M2 was inhibited by cytochalasin B, which acutely blocks glucose transporters. Incubations with serotoninergic, noradrenergic and dopaminergic agents, or agents known to stimulate release or inhibit reuptake of these substances in nervous tissues indicated that the sibutramine metabolites were not affecting 2-deoxyglucose uptake via mechanisms associated with their SNRI properties.

CONCLUSIONS

Sibutramine metabolites can improve insulin-sensitive 2-deoxyglucose uptake by cultured muscle cells independently of SNRI effects.

Glucose deprivation induces Akt-dependent synthesis and incorporation of GLUT1, but not of GLUT4, into the plasma membrane of 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Reduction of the glucose concentration in the culture medium of 3T3-L1 adipose cells below 1.25 mM produces a 4-8-fold stimulation of 2-deoxyglucose uptake which starts after a lag phase of 2 h and is maximal after 10-16 h. In the present study, we employed the 'membrane sheet assay' in order to re-assess the contribution of the transporter isoforms GLUT1 and GLUT4 to this effect. Immunochemical assay of glucose transporters in membranes prepared with the 'sheet assay' revealed that the effect reflected a marked increase of GLUT1 in the plasma membrane with no effect on GLUT4. Glucose deprivation increased the total cellular GLUT1 protein in parallel with the transport activity, whereas GLUT4 was unaltered. The specific PI 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin inhibited the effect of glucose deprivation on transport activity and also on GLUT1 synthesis. Glucose deprivation produced a moderate, biphasic increase in the activity of the protein kinase Akt/PKB that was inhibitable by wortmannin. When wortmannin was added after stimulation of cells in order to assess the internalization rate of transporters, the effect of insulin was reversed considerably faster (T1/2 = 18 min) than that of glucose deprivation (T1/2 > 60 min). These data are consistent with the conclusion that the effect of glucose deprivation reflects a specific, Akt-dependent de-novo synthesis of GLUT1, and not of GLUT4, and its insertion into a plasma membrane compartment which is distinct from that of the insulin-sensitive GLUT1.

Opposite translational control of GLUT1 and GLUT4 glucose transporter mRNAs in response to insulin. Role of mammalian target of rapamycin, protein kinase b, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in GLUT1 mRNA translation

Prolonged exposure of 3T3-L1 adipocytes to insulin increases GLUT1 protein content while diminishing GLUT4. These changes arise in part from changes in mRNA transcription. Here we examined whether there are also specific effects of insulin on GLUT1 and GLUT4 mRNA translation. Insulin enhanced association of GLUT1 mRNA with polyribosomes and decreased association with monosomes, suggesting increased translation. Conversely, insulin arrested the majority of GLUT4 transcripts in monosomes. Insulin inactivates the translational suppressor eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein-1 (4E-BP1) through the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Hence, we examined the effect of rapamycin on GLUT1 mRNA translation and protein expression. Rapamycin abrogated the insulin-mediated increase in GLUT1 protein synthesis through partial inhibition of GLUT1 mRNA translation and partial inhibition of the rise in GLUT1 mRNA. 4E-BP1 inhibited GLUT1 mRNA translation in vitro. Because phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (PKB), in concert with mTOR, inactivate 4E-BP1, we explored their role in GLUT1 protein expression. Cotransfection of cytomegalovirus promoter-driven, hemagglutinin epitope-tagged GLUT1 with dominant inhibitory mutants of PI3K or PKB inhibited the insulin-elicited increase in hemagglutinin-tagged GLUT1 protein. These results unravel the opposite effects of insulin on GLUT1 and GLUT4 mRNA translation. Increased GLUT1 mRNA translation appears to occur via the PI3K/PKB/mTOR/4E-BP1 cascade.

Glucosamine regulation of glucose metabolism in cultured human skeletal muscle cells: divergent effects on glucose transport/phosphorylation and glycogen synthase in non-diabetic and type 2 diabetic subjects

Chronic exposure (48 h) to glucosamine resulted in a dose-dependent reduction of basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake activities in human skeletal muscle cell cultures from nondiabetic and type 2 diabetic subjects. Insulin responsiveness of uptake was also reduced. There was no change in total membrane expression of either GLUT1, GLUT3, or GLUT4 proteins. While glucosamine treatment had no significant effects on hexokinase activity measured in cell extracts, glucose phosphorylation in intact cells was impaired after treatment. Under conditions where glucose transport and phosphorylation were down regulated, the fractional velocity (FV) of glycogen synthase was increased by glucosamine treatment. Neither the total activity nor protein expression of glycogen synthase were influenced by glucosamine treatment. The stimulation of glycogen synthase by glucosamine was not due totally to soluble mediators. Reflective of the effects on transport/phosphorylation, total glycogen content and net glycogen synthesis were reduced after glucosamine treatment. These effects were similar in nondiabetic and type 2 cells. In summary: 1) Chronic treatment with glucosamine reduces glucose transport/phosphorylation and storage into glycogen in skeletal muscle cells in culture and impairs insulin responsiveness as well. 2) Down-regulation of glucose transport/phosphorylation occurs at a posttranslational level of GLUTs. 3) Glycogen synthase activity increases with glucosamine treatment. 4) Nondiabetic and type 2 muscle cells display equal sensitivity and responsiveness to glucosamine. Increased exposure of skeletal muscle to glucosamine, a substrate/precursor of the hexosamine pathway, alters intracellular glucose metabolism at multiple sites and can contribute to insulin resistance in this tissue.

Suboptimal energy balance selectively up-regulates muscle GLUT gene expression but reduces insulin-dependent glucose uptake during postnatal development

The major facilitative glucose transporters in muscle, GLUT1 (insulin-independent) and GLUT4 (insulin-dependent), are essential for normal growth and metabolism, but factors controlling their expression during postnatal development are poorly understood. We have therefore determined the role of energy status in regulating muscle GLUT gene expression and function in young, growing pigs on a high (H) or low (L) food intake (H =2L) at 35 degrees C or 26 degrees C. RNase protection assays revealed selective up-regulation of GLUT1 and GLUT4 by mild undernutrition 20-24 h after feeding: mRNA levels were elevated in longissimus dorsi (P<0.001) and rhomboideus (P<0.05), but not in diaphragm or cardiac muscles. Assessment of 2-deoxy-glucose uptake in a small isolated muscle, flexor carpi radialis, showed that the 26L group, which had suboptimal energy balance and the greatest GLUT4 expression, had the highest insulin-independent glucose uptake but the lowest insulin-dependent increment: 20% compared with 70% in the other groups. These novel findings are directly relevant to an understanding of mechanisms underlying the development of insulin resistance and demonstrate 1) muscle-specific up-regulation of GLUT gene expression by postnatal undernutrition that is not related simply to myofiber type, but to whole-body function; and 2) that the degree of GLUT up-regulation and the subcellular distribution and function of GLUT proteins are dependent on energy status.

High glucose concentrations inhibit glucose phosphorylation, but not glucose transport, in human endothelial cells

Glucose uptake is autoregulated in a variety of cell types and it is thought that glucose transport is the major step that is subjected to control by sugar availability. Here, we examined the effect of high glucose concentrations on the rate of glucose uptake by human ECV-304 umbilical vein-derived endothelial cells. A rise in the glucose concentration in the medium led a dose-dependent decrease in the rate of 2-deoxyglucose uptake. The effect of high glucose was independent of protein synthesis and the time-course analysis indicated that it was relatively slow. The effect was not due to inhibition of glucose transport since neither the expression nor the subcellular distribution of the major glucose transporter GLUT1, nor the rate of 3-O-methylglucose uptake was affected. The total in vitro assayed hexokinase activity and the expression of hexokinase-I were similar in cells treated or not with high concentrations of glucose. In contrast, exposure of cells to a high glucose concentration caused a marked decrease in phosphorylated 2-deoxyglucose/free 2-deoxyglucose ratio. This suggests the existence of alterations in the rate of in vivo glucose phosphorylation in response to high glucose. In summary, we conclude that ECV304 human endothelial cells reduce glucose utilization in response to enhanced levels of glucose in the medium by inhibiting the rate of glucose phosphorylation, rather than by blocking glucose transport. This suggests a novel metabolic effect of high glucose on cellular glucose utilization.

Troglitazone regulation of glucose metabolism in human skeletal muscle cultures from obese type II diabetic subjects

To determine the effects of troglitazone on abnormal skeletal muscle glucose metabolism, muscle cultures from type II diabetic patients were grown for 4-6 weeks and then fused for 4 days either without or with troglitazone (1-5 micrograms/mL; chronic studies) or had troglitazone added for 90 min (1-5 micrograms/mL) at completion of fusion (acute studies). Acute troglitazone treatment stimulated glucose uptake, but not glycogen synthase (GS) activity 2-fold (P < 0.05) in a dose-dependent fashion and to the same extent as the addition of maximal (33 nmol/L) insulin. Maximal chronic troglitazone (5 micrograms/mL for 4 days) increased both glucose uptake (from 9.0 +/- 1.5 to 40.9 +/- 8.1 pmol/mg protein.min; P < 0.05) and GS fractional velocity (from 5.4 +/- 0.7% to 20.6 +/- 6.3%; P < 0.05) by approximately 4-fold. At each concentration of chronic troglitazone, glucose uptake rates were similar in the absence and presence of maximal (33 nmol/L) insulin concentrations. In contrast, insulin-stimulated GS activity was greater (P < 0.05) when maximal chronic troglitazone and acute insulin were combined than when chronic troglitazone alone was used. After 4 days of troglitazone, GLUT1 messenger ribonucleic acid and protein increased about 2-fold (P < 0.05) without a change in GLUT4 or GS messenger ribonucleic acid and protein. We conclude that troglitazone has both acute and chronic effects to improve skeletal muscle glucose metabolism of obese type II diabetic subjects. These effects involve direct insulin mimetic stimulatory actions as well as indirect insulin-sensitizing properties.

Lactate transport in L6 skeletal muscle cells and vesicles: allosteric or multisite mechanism and functional membrane marker of differentiation

Membrane lactate transport was studied in skeletal muscle cells and membrane vesicles from the L6 line in relation to in vitro myogenesis. In myoblasts, lactate was transported by simple diffusion and insensitive to classical inhibitors: a positive correlation between onset of creatine kinase activity and lactate transport in differentiated myotubes was observed and could be considered to be a functional marker of cell differentiation. In myotubes, complete analysis of the velocity curves (direct coordinates, Eadie-Scatchard plots, Hill plots) gave parameters showing that lactate was carried by an allosteric or multisite system. This was confirmed by using sarcolemmal vesicles and specific inhibitors. In whole cells, alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CIN) and parachloromercuribenzylsulphonic acid (pCMBS) inhibited the maximal velocity without modifying the global cooperativity of the system. The weak effect of 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid (DIDS), which has a low affinity constant (Ki = 22.5 microM), implicated the monocarboxylate system rather than the anionic exchanger as a carrier system in muscle cells. CIN and DIDS exhibited one type of interaction with lactate carriers, and the curvilinear shape of the lactate Hill plot with or without inhibitors suggested that inhibitors were active at the same family of interaction sites and had a common range of affinities. The apparent competitive inhibition of pyruvate (Ki = 3.2 mM) did not modify the transport pathway of lactate in L6 myotubes. In conclusion, kinetic analysis of lactate transport in the presence or absence of inhibitors gave evidence for a multisite lactate carrier activity in myotubes composed of two systems at least, related to two or three isoforms of lactate carriers.

Stimulation of glucose and amino acid transport and activation of the insulin signaling pathways by insulin lispro in L6 skeletal muscle cells

The monomeric insulin analogue insulin lispro (Lys B28, Pro B29) is a rapid-acting insulin with a shorter duration of activity than human regular insulin. This compound has the advantage of reducing early postprandial hyperglycemia and the accompanying late hypoglycemia, thereby improving overall blood glucose control. To date, all published studies of the functional properties of insulin lispro have been conducted in whole animals. This study aimed to characterize the cellular actions of insulin lispro and the signals it elicits in an insulin-sensitive muscle cell line, L6 cells. Comparing the cellular actions of insulin lispro with those of human regular insulin, a number of observations were made. (1) Insulin lispro stimulated glucose and amino acid transport into L6 myotubes with a dose dependency and time course virtually identical to those of human regular insulin. (2) Insulin lispro was as effective as human regular insulin in stimulating time-dependent phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), p70 ribosomal S6 kinase, and two isoforms of mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK1 and ERK2). (3) Insulin lispro's ability to induce the association of IRS-1 with the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase was similar to that of human regular insulin. (4) As with human regular insulin, 100 nmol of the fungal metabolite wortmannin completely inhibited insulin lispro stimulation of glucose uptake. We concluded that the cellular actions of insulin lispro are similar to those of human regular insulin with respect to glucose and amino acid uptake and that the biochemical signals elicited are also comparable.

Cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate regulates GLUT4 and GLUT1 glucose transporter expression and stimulates transcriptional activity of the GLUT1 promoter in muscle cells

We have previously reported that innervation-dependent basal contractile activity regulates in an inverse manner the expression of GLUT1 and GLUT4 glucose transporters in skeletal muscle. Based on the facts that muscle innervation decreases and muscle denervation increases cAMP levels, we investigated whether cAMP might mediate the effects of innervation/denervation on glucose transporter expression. Treatment of L6E9 myotubes with 8-bromo-cAMP, forskolin, or monobutyryl-8-bromo-cAMP led to a marked decrease in GLUT4 protein levels; 8-bromo-cAMP also diminished GLUT4 messenger RNA (mRNA), suggesting pretranslational repression. In contrast, L6E9 myoblasts and myotubes responded to 8-bromo-cAMP or forskolin by increasing the cell content of GLUT1 protein. Induction of GLUT1 protein was a consequence of the activation of different mechanisms in myoblast and myotube cells; whereas 8-bromo-cAMP treatment caused a substantial increase in GLUT1 mRNA in myoblasts, no change in GLUT1 mRNA was detected in myotubes. The increase in GLUT1 mRNA in L6E9 myoblasts induced by 8-bromo-cAMP was the result of transcriptional activation, as concluded from transfection analysis of 2.1 kilobases of the rat GLUT1 gene promoter fused to the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene. Furthermore, the stimulatory effect of 8-bromo-cAMP on the transcriptional activity of the GLUT1 promoter required a 33-bp sequence lying 5' upstream of the transcription start site. In all, cAMP inversely regulates GLUT4 and GLUT1 glucose transporter expression in muscle cells. Furthermore, our results suggest that down-regulation of GLUT4 expression and up-regulation of GLUT1 expression in muscle associated with denervation are partly attributable to cAMP.

GLUT1-mediated glucose transport and its regulation by IGF-I in cultured bovine chromaffin cells

Regulation of glucose transport was studied in primary cultures of bovine chromaffin cells (BCC) using the glucose analogue 2-deoxyglucose (DOG) as a model substrate. The glucose transporter in freshly isolated and cultured BCC was identified as GLUT1 by Western immunoblots. The level of GLUT1 increased by time in culture and was followed by an enhancement in uptake of DOG. The DOG uptake was stimulated by insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) with an EC50 of 1 nM and a maximal response (approximately 2-fold) was obtained at 10-100 nM IGF-I. Insulin was at least 100-fold less potent than IGF-I. Exposure to 10(-8) M IGF-I also caused a redistribution of GLUT1 from an intracellular compartment to a plasma membrane-enriched fraction. Our results demonstrate a GLUT1-mediated glucose uptake in adrenomedullary cells. An enhanced glucose transport in response to IGF-I appears to be coupled to activation of IGF receptor type 1 and GLUT1 translocation.

Regulation of hexokinase II gene expression by glucose flux in skeletal muscle

The in vivo studies of transcriptional regulation by glucose, in general, have yielded ambiguous interpretations due to the closed loop relationship between insulin and glucose. Insulin cannot be held as a constant since elevated glucose levels will elicit a corresponding rise in insulin and current animal models of insulinopenia are associated with a plethora of counter-regulatory hormone responses. One potential solution to increase intracellular glucose flux without a further increase in insulin was achieved by transgenic overexpression of the insulin-sensitive glucose transporter, GLUT4, in specific skeletal muscles (previously described in Tsao, T.-S., Burcelin, R., Katz, E. B., Huang, L., and Charron, M. J. (1996) Diabetes 45, 28-36). Using these MLC-GLUT4 transgenic mice as a model, we investigated the effects of increased glucose flux on hexokinase II (HK II) gene expression in skeletal muscle. Under conditions where blood glucose levels were normal and insulin levels decreased by 36%, HK II mRNA level was reduced in non-GLUT4-overexpressing tissues (i.e. heart and adipose tissue) of 2-4-month-old male MLC-GLUT4 transgenic mice. This reduction in HK II mRNA was prevented in skeletal muscle, where overexpression of GLUT4 caused a 2.5-fold increase in basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. The levels of HK II mRNA in heart, muscle, and adipose tissue are paralleled by HK II enzymatic activity.

IN CONCLUSION

1) due to relative mild insulinopenia, HK II expression is decreased in non-GLUT4-overexpressing tissues of MLC-GLUT4 mice compared to age/sex-matched controls, and 2) GLUT4-mediated increase in cellular glucose flux can prevent the decrease in HK II expression (in GLUT4-overexpressing tissues) as a result of relative mild insulinopenia. Indeed, during the process of aging, the return of circulating insulin levels of MLC-GLUT4 mice to normal levels is associated with the normalization of HK II expression in all tissues of MLC-GLUT4 and age/sex-matched control mice. We propose that: 1) glucose flux has an amplifying effect on the ability of insulin to stimulate skeletal muscle HK II gene expression and 2) insulin-dependent glucose flux may be a potential mechanism by which HK II gene expression is regulated by sensitivity to insulin.

Translocation of GLUT1 does not account for elevated glucose transport in glucose-deprived 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Glucose deprivation increases the rate of glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in a protein synthesis-dependent fashion. To determine if translocation of either GLUT1 or GLUT4 is responsible for this phenomenon, we adapted existing fractionation procedures toward isolating 3T3-L1 adipocyte membranes. By Western blot analysis of equal protein, GLUT1 was distributed between plasma membranes, high density "microsomal" membranes, and low density "microsomal" membranes isolated from control cells. GLUT4 comigrated with high density and low density membranes. Glucose deprivation for 12 h did not alter the distribution of either GLUT1 or GLUT4, despite an 8-10-fold increase in glucose transport activity in intact cells. Importantly, increased transport activity was retained in plasma membrane vesicles isolated from glucose-deprived cells. These data show for the first time that the increase in transport activity associated with glucose deprivation does not result from the translocation of either of the glucose transporters known to exist in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. As GLUT4 is excluded from the plasma membrane, these data provide evidence for activation of GLUT1.

The insulin-dependent biosynthesis of GLUT1 and GLUT3 glucose transporters in L6 muscle cells is mediated by distinct pathways. Roles of p21ras and pp70 S6 kinase

Insulin binding results in rapid phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 to activate p21ras and mitogen-activated protein kinase. Insulin also activates the ribosomal protein S6 kinase (pp70 S6 kinase) independently of the Ras pathway. Chronic (18 h) treatment of L6 muscle cells with insulin increases glucose transport activity severalfold due to biosynthetic elevation of the GLUT1 and GLUT3 but not the GLUT4 glucose transporters. Here we investigate the roles of p21ras and pp70 S6 kinase in the insulin-mediated increases in GLUT1 and GLUT3 expression. L6 cells were transfected with the dominant negative Ras(S17N) under the control of a dexamethasone-inducible promoter. Induction of Ras(S17N) failed to block the insulin-mediated increase in GLUT1 glucose transporter protein and mRNA; however, it abrogated the insulin-mediated increase in GLUT3 glucose transporter protein and mRNA. Inhibition of pp70 S6 kinase by rapamycin, on the other hand, eliminated the insulin-mediated increase in GLUT1 but had no effect on that of GLUT3 in both parental and Ras(S17N) transfected L6 cells. These results suggest that the biosynthetic regulation of glucose transporters is differentially determined, with pp70 S6 kinase and p21ras playing active roles in the insulin-stimulated increases in GLUT1 and GLUT3, respectively.

Regulation of glucose transport in cultured muscle cells by novel hypoglycemic agents

The antidiabetic agent troglitazone (CS-045) and a metabolite designated M3 have potent blood glucose-lowering actions. The mechanism of the hypoglycemic effects of troglitazone and M3 was investigated in cultured L6 muscle cells. Short-term (2-hour) exposure of fully differentiated myotubes to troglitazone had no effect on glucose transport activity; M3 exposure caused a modest (50% to 60%) increase in basal and insulin-stimulated transport. Long-term (72-hour) treatment of myotubes with troglitazone resulted in a doubling of glucose transport in the absence of insulin, whereas M3 treatment resulted in a fivefold increase in basal glucose transport. Transport activity in M3-treated myotubes was greater than that seen after short-term insulin treatment. Insulin did not stimulate transport further in long-term M3-treated cells. A similar effect of prolonged exposure to M3 was observed in nondifferentiated myocytes. The agent had no influence on cell growth or the extent of differentiation. Augmentation of basal glucose transport by M3 was slow in onset, requiring 18 to 24 hours before significant effects were observed and 72 hours for full stimulation. M3 action on glucose transport was also dose-dependent, with half-maximal stimulation at 5 micrograms/mL of the agent and full effects at 10 to 20 micrograms/mL. Total membranes were prepared from control and M3-treated L6 myocytes and myotubes, and glucose transporter (GLUT1 and GLUT4) protein levels were measured by Western blotting. GLUT1 content was increased 2.9- +/- 1.3- and 2.8- +/- .2-fold by M3 treatment in myocytes and myotubes, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Glucose transporter gene expression: regulation of transcription and mRNA stability

The facilitated diffusion of D-glucose across the plasma membrane is carried out by a set of stereospecific transport proteins known as the glucose transporters. These integral membrane proteins are members of a gene family where tissue-specific expression of one or more members will determine in part the net rate of glucose entry into the cell. The regulation of glucose transporter gene expression is a critical feature of cellular homeostasis, as defects in specific transporter expression can lead to profound alterations in cellular physiology. In this review, we provide a brief descriptive background on the family of glucose transporters and examine in depth the regulation of the two transporters expressed in adipose tissue, GLUTI, a basal growth-related transporter and GLUT4, the insulin-responsive glucose transporter.

Use of hexose transport mutants to examine the expression and properties of the rat myoblast GLUT 1 transport process

Rat L6 myoblasts were recently shown to possess the GLUT 1, 3 and 4 transporters, and not the GLUT 2 isoform [1]. This investigation examined the expression and properties of the GLUT 1 isoform. GLUT 1 transcript level was significantly reduced in cells grown at high densities and during myogenic differentiation. A comparison of the GLUT 1 and 4 transcript levels in myogenesis-competent and impaired cells revealed an inverse relationship between these two isoforms. This relationship was confirmed by studies using two independent spontaneous GLUT 3- GLUT 4- mutants, M1 and M3. These mutants possessed very high level of the GLUT 1 isoform, but negligible amount of the GLUT 3 and 4 isoforms. GLUT 1 expression was also subject to positive regulation. Glucose starvation was found to increase not only the levels of the GLUT 1 transcript and transporter, but also the intrinsic activity of the GLUT 1 transporter. Studies with M1 and M3 mutants revealed that the GLUT 1 transporter was not functional in glucose-grown cells, even though it was present at a very high level in the plasma membrane. This transporter became functional when cells were starved for glucose. The functional GLUT 1 transporter had an apparent Km value of around 0.9 mM, and was sensitive to cytochalasin B, phloretin, phlorizin and pCMBS.

Retinoic acid stimulates glucose transporter expression in L6 muscle cells

Factors that regulate the tissue specific and developmental expression of the GLUT4 gene, whose transcribed protein is primarily responsible for mediating insulin stimulated glucose transport, are poorly defined. In this study we examined the effects of retinoic acid, a circulating factor that can promote cellular differentiation, on glucose uptake and glucose transporter expression in cultured L6 muscle cells. At the myoblast stage, treatment with 1 microM retinoic acid for 24 h increased both 1 h and 8 h insulin stimulated uptake of 2-deoxyglucose by more than twofold. A dose and time dependent effect of retinoic acid on 8 h insulin stimulated 2-deoxyglucose uptake was observed at both the myoblast and myocyte stage. Comparatively little effect from retinoic acid treatment was found on basal uptake at either stage. In myoblast cells, retinoic acid increased the content of GLUT4 mRNA in a dose and time dependent manner, an effect that was partially attenuated by insulin. In myocytes retinoic acid increased GLUT4 mRNA levels to 2.3 times basal. Nuclear run-on studies indicate that the increased GLUT4 mRNA represents enhanced transcriptional activity. The results suggest a role for retinoic acid in regulation of expression of the GLUT 4 gene in muscle cells.

Regulation of glucose transport by pioglitazone in cultured muscle cells

Recent evidence suggests that pioglitazone, a thiazolidinedione hypoglycemic agent, acts by increasing insulin responsiveness at the peripheral level. We studied the effect of pioglitazone (1 to 50 micrograms/mL) on the glucose transporter and glucose transport in BC3H-1 cells, a continuously cultured skeletal muscle cell line lacking the myoD transcription factor required for cell fusion. Glucose-fed cells (25 mmol/L) responded to insulin with a more than twofold increase in 2-deoxyglucose (2-DOG) uptake as compared with baseline. Treating these cells with pioglitazone alone for 24 hours resulted in a dose-dependent increase in hexose uptake, reaching twofold at 50 micrograms/mL. Combining long-term pioglitazone (10 micrograms/mL for 24 hours) and short-term insulin treatment resulted in an additive effect on 2-DOG uptake over a wide range of insulin concentrations (0.1 to 100 nmol/L) without the desensitization to 2-DOG uptake seen in other systems following long-term insulin administration. To determine the basis of the increased glucose uptake response, the level of specific mRNA and immunoreactive glucose transporter protein was determined. Northern and Western blot studies on glucose-treated cells (25 mmol/L) showed that glucose transporter mRNA and protein increased in parallel following treatment with either pioglitazone or insulin alone. The combination of insulin with pioglitazone resulted in an additive stimulation of glucose transporter mRNA and protein. In summary, pioglitazone stimulates hexose uptake both independently and in combination with insulin in BC3H-1 myocytes. These effects are largely accounted for by increases in glucose transporter mRNA and protein, indicating its potential efficacy in the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Glucose transporter gene expression in rat conceptus during high glucose culture

We investigated the expression of glucose transporter genes and protein in embryo and yolk sac during organogenesis and the regulation of glucose transporters during culture in hyperglycaemic media. Erythrocyte-type glucose transporter (GLUT 1) and brain-type glucose transporter (GLUT 3) mRNA were expressed in embryo and yolk sac. The expression of GLUT-1 and GLUT-3 mRNA was abundant on day 9-11 and day 9-10 in the embryo, respectively, and day 9-14 and day 10-11 in the yolk sac, respectively. The levels of GLUT-1 protein in the embryo increased in parallel with the expression of GLUT-1 mRNA during the corresponding period. Immunohistochemical staining of GLUT-1 protein was found principally in the neuroepithelial cells surrounding the neural tube in the embryo on day 10 and appeared in the microvessels surrounding the neural tube after day 12. To test whether the expression of glucose transporter genes and protein was suppressed during hyperglycaemia, conceptuses were cultured in high glucose medium. The abundant expression of GLUT-1 protein was not decreased during culture in high glucose media for 24 h (day 9-10) and was only down-regulated by prolonged exposure to this media for 48 h (day 9-11). We have demonstrated the predominant expression of the high affinity glucose transporter (GLUT 1 and GLUT 3) genes and (GLUT 1) protein in embryo during the early period of organogenesis. The persistently abundant expression of glucose transporter during the critical period of neural tube formation (day 9-10) even in the presence of hyperglycaemia may explain one of the mechanism of increased glucose flux into the neuroepithelium, which may lead to neural tube defects.

Yeast sugar transporters

Transport of sugars is a fundamental property of all eukaryotic cells. Of particular importance is the uptake of glucose, a preferred carbon and energy source. The rate of glucose utilization in yeast is often dictated by the activity and concentration of glucose transporters in the plasma membrane. Given the importance of transport as a site of control of glycolytic flux, the regulation of glucose transporters is necessarily complex. The molecular analysis of these transporters in Saccharomyces has revealed the existence of a multigene family of sugar carriers. Recent data have raised the question of the actual role of all of these proteins in sugar catabolism, as some appear to be lowly expressed, and point mutations of these genes may confer pleiotropic phenotypes, inconsistent with a simple role as catabolic transporters. The transporters themselves appear to be intimately involved in the process of sensing glucose, a model for which there is growing support.

Detection of the GLUT3 facilitative glucose transporter in rat L6 muscle cells: regulation by cellular differentiation, insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I

The GLUT3 facilitative glucose transporter protein was found to be expressed in rat L6 muscle cells. It was detected at both the myoblast and myotube stage. GLUT3 protein content per mg of total membrane protein increased significantly during L6 cell differentiation. Subcellular fractionation demonstrated that the GLUT3 protein was predominantly localized in plasma membrane-enriched fractions of either myoblasts or myotubes. Short-term exposure of L6 myotubes to IGF-I or insulin caused a redistribution of GLUT3 protein from an intracellular membrane fraction to the plasma membrane, without affecting total membrane GLUT3 protein content. Long-term exposure of L6 myotubes to IGF-I produced an increase of GLUT3 protein in total membranes and all subcellular membrane fractions, especially the plasma membrane. We propose that the GLUT3 glucose transporter may play an important role in glucose metabolism in developing muscle.

Regulation of the functional expression of hexose transporter GLUT-1 by glucose in murine fibroblasts: role of lysosomal degradation

The nature of the membrane compartments involved in the regulation by glucose of hexose transport is not well defined. The effect of inhibitors of lysosomal protein degradation on hexose transport (i.e., uptake of [3H]-2-deoxy-D-glucose) and hexose transporter protein GLUT-1 (i.e., immunoblotting with antipeptide serum) in glucose-fed and -deprived cultured murine fibroblasts (3T3-C2 cells) was studied. The acidotropic amines chloroquine (20 microM) and ammonium chloride (10 mM) cause accumulation (both approximately 4-fold) of GLUT-1 protein and a small increase (both approximately 25%) in hexose transport in glucose-fed fibroblasts (24 h). The endopeptidase inhibitor, leupeptin (100 microM) causes accumulation (approximately 4-fold) of GLUT-1 protein in glucose-fed fibroblasts (24 h) without changing hexose transport (less than or equal to 5%). These agents do not greatly alter the electrophoretic mobility of GLUT-1. Neither chloroquine nor leupeptin augment the glucose deprivation (24 h) induced increases in hexose transport (approximately 4-fold) and GLUT-1 content (approximately 7-fold). In contrast, chloroquine or leupeptin diminish the reversal by glucose refeeding of the glucose deprivation induced accumulation of GLUT-1 protein but fail to alter the return of hexose transport to control levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Subcellular distribution of GLUT 4 in the skeletal muscle of lean type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients in the basal state

Insulin resistance of the skeletal muscle is a key feature of Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. To determine whether a decrease of glucose carrier proteins or an altered subcellular distribution of glucose transporters might contribute to the pathogenesis of the insulin resistant state, we measured glucose transporter numbers in membrane fractions of gastrocnemius muscle of 14 Type 2 diabetic patients and 16 non-diabetic control subjects under basal conditions. Cytochalasin-B binding and immunoblotting with antibodies against transporter-subtypes GLUT 1 and GLUT 4 were applied. The cytochalasin-B binding values (pmol binding sites/g muscle) found in a plasma membrane enriched fraction, high and low density membranes of both groups (diabetic patients and non-diabetic control subjects) suggested a reduced number of glucose transporters in the plasma membranes of the diabetic patients compared to the control subjects (diabetic patients: 1.47 +/- 1.01, control subjects: 3.61 +/- 2.29, p less than or equal to 0.003). There was no clear difference in cytochalasin-B binding sites in high and low density membranes of both groups (diabetic patients: high density membranes 3.76 +/- 1.82, low density membranes: 1.67 +/- 0.81; control subjects: high density membranes 5.09 +/- 1.68, low density membranes 1.45 +/- 0.90). By Western blotting analysis we determined the distribution of the glucose transporter subtypes GLUT 1 and GLUT 4 in the plasma membrane enriched fraction and low density membranes of seven patients of each group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)