Glyconeogenesis from L-proline involves metabolite inhibition of the glucose-6-phosphatase system

Proline metabolism and transport in retinal health and disease

The retina is one of the most energy-demanding tissues in the human body. Photoreceptors in the outer retina rely on nutrient support from the neighboring retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a monolayer of epithelial cells that separate the retina and choroidal blood supply. RPE dysfunction or cell death can result in photoreceptor degeneration, leading to blindness in retinal degenerative diseases including some inherited retinal degenerations and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In addition to having ready access to rich nutrients from blood, the RPE is also supplied with lactate from adjacent photoreceptors. Moreover, RPE can phagocytose lipid-rich outer segments for degradation and recycling on a daily basis. Recent studies show RPE cells prefer proline as a major metabolic substrate, and they are highly enriched for the proline transporter, SLC6A20. In contrast, dysfunctional or poorly differentiated RPE fails to utilize proline. RPE uses proline to fuel mitochondrial metabolism, synthesize amino acids, build the extracellular matrix, fight against oxidative stress, and sustain differentiation. Remarkably, the neural retina rarely imports proline directly, but it uptakes and utilizes intermediates and amino acids derived from proline catabolism in the RPE. Mutations of genes in proline metabolism are associated with retinal degenerative diseases, and proline supplementation is reported to improve RPE-initiated vision loss. This review will cover proline metabolism in RPE and highlight the importance of proline transport and utilization in maintaining retinal metabolism and health.

Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase 1 deficiency induces compensatory amino acid metabolism during fasting in mice

BACKGROUND

Glucose is used as an energy source in many organs and obtained from dietary carbohydrates. However, when the external energy supply is interrupted, e.g., during fasting, carbohydrates preserved in the liver and glycogenic precursors derived from other organs are used to maintain blood glucose levels. Glycerol and glycogenic amino acids derived from adipocytes and skeletal muscles are utilized as glycogenic precursors. Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase 1 (GPD1), an NAD⁺/NADH-dependent enzyme present in the cytosol, catalyzes the reversible conversion of glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) to dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP). Since G3P is one of the substrates utilized for gluconeogenesis in the liver, the conversion of G3P to DHAP by GPD1 is essential for maintaining blood glucose levels during fasting. We focused on GPD1 and examined its roles in gluconeogenesis during fasting.

METHODS

Using GPD1 null model BALB/cHeA mice (HeA mice), we measured gluconeogenesis from glycerol and the change of blood glucose levels under fasting conditions. We also measured gene expression related to gluconeogenesis in the liver and protein metabolism in skeletal muscle. BALB/cBy mice (By mice) were used as a control.

RESULTS

The blood glucose levels in the HeA mice were lower than that in the By mice after glycerol administration. Although lack of GPD1 inhibited gluconeogenesis from glycerol, blood glucose levels in the HeA mice after 1-4h of fasting were significantly higher than that in the By mice. Muscle protein synthesis in HeA mice was significantly lower than that in the By mice. Moreover, blood alanine levels and usage of alanine for gluconeogenesis in the liver were significantly higher in the HeA mice than that in the By mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Although these data indicate that a lack of GPD1 inhibits gluconeogenesis from glycerol, chronic GPD1 deficiency may induce an adaptation that enhances gluconeogenesis from glycogenic amino acids.

Experimental hyperprolinemia induces mild oxidative stress, metabolic changes, and tissue adaptation in rat liver

The present study investigated the effects of chronic hyperprolinemia on oxidative and metabolic status in liver and serum of rats. Wistar rats received daily subcutaneous injections of proline from their 6th to 28th day of life. Twelve hours after the last injection the rats were sacrificed and liver and serum were collected. Results showed that hyperprolinemia induced a significant reduction in total antioxidant potential and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances. The activities of the antioxidant enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase were significantly increased after chronic proline administration, while glutathione (GSH) peroxidase activity, dichlorofluorescin oxidation, GSH, sulfhydryl, and carbonyl content remained unaltered. Histological analyses of the liver revealed that proline treatment induced changes of the hepatic microarchitecture and increased the number of inflammatory cells and the glycogen content. Biochemical determination also demonstrated an increase in glycogen concentration, as well as a higher synthesis of glycogen in liver of hyperprolinemic rats. Regarding to hepatic metabolism, it was observed an increase on glucose oxidation and a decrease on lipid synthesis from glucose. However, hepatic lipid content and serum glucose levels were not changed. Proline administration did not alter the aminotransferases activities and serum markers of hepatic injury. Our findings suggest that hyperprolinemia alters the liver homeostasis possibly by induction of a mild degree of oxidative stress and metabolic changes. The hepatic alterations caused by proline probably do not implicate in substantial hepatic tissue damage, but rather demonstrate a process of adaptation of this tissue to oxidative stress. However, the biological significance of these findings requires additional investigation.

Liver glyconeogenesis: a pathway to cope with postprandial amino acid excess in high-protein fed rats?

This paper provides molecular evidence for a liver glyconeogenic pathway, that is, a concomitant activation of hepatic gluconeogenesis and glycogenesis, which could participate in the mechanisms that cope with amino acid excess in high-protein (HP) fed rats. This evidence is based on the concomitant upregulation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene expression, downregulation of glucose 6-phosphatase catalytic subunit (G6PC1) gene expression, an absence of glucose release from isolated hepatocytes and restored hepatic glycogen stores in the fed state in HP fed rats. These effects are mainly due to the ability of high physiological concentrations of portal blood amino acids to counteract glucagon-induced liver G6PC1 but not PEPCK gene expression. These results agree with the idea that the metabolic pathway involved in glycogen synthesis is dependent upon the pattern of nutrient availability. This nonoxidative glyconeogenic disposal pathway of gluconeogenic substrates copes with amino excess and participates in adjusting both amino acid and glucose homeostasis. In addition, the pattern of PEPCK and G6PC1 gene expression provides evidence that neither the kidney nor the small intestine participated in gluconeogenic glucose production under our experimental conditions. Moreover, the main glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) isoform expressed in the small intestine is the ubiquitous isoform of G6Pase (G6PC3) rather than the G6PC1 isoform expressed in gluconeogenic organs.

Quantification of the glycogen 13C-1 NMR signal during glycogen synthesis in perfused rat liver

We studied glycogen synthesis from glucose in perfused livers of fed (n = 4) and 24 h starved (n = 7) rats. Glycogenolysis was inhibited by BAY R3401 (150 microM) and proglycosyn (100 microM). After 60 min, we replaced 99% (13)C-1 glucose by natural abundance glucose. This pulse-chase design allowed us to recognize residual ongoing futile glycogen turnover from the release of initially deposited (13)C-label, into the (13)C-free chase medium. Net residual turnover was less than 2 +/- 0.7% and 0.6 +/- 0.2% of 1-(13)C glycogen deposition rates of 0.31 +/- 0.04 and 0.99 +/- 0.04 micromol glucose g(-1) min(-1), in starved and fed livers, respectively. The 1-(13)C glycogen signal was monitored throughout the experiment with proton-decoupled (13)C NMR spectroscopy and analyzed in the time domain using AMARES. We noticed progressive line-broadening in any single experiment in the chase phase. One or a sum of two to three overlapping Lorentzians, with different exponential damping factors, were fitted to the signal. When the S/N was better than 40, the fit always delivered a small and a broad component. In the chase phase, the fit with a single Lorentzian resulted in a decline of glycogen signal by about 15 +/- 4 and 12 +/- 2% in starved and fed rats, respectively. This apparent decline in 1-(13)C glycogen signal could not be accounted for by the appearance of equivalent amounts of (13)C-labeled metabolites in the perfusate. The fit with a sum of two Lorentzians resulted in a decline of glycogen signal intensity of 7 +/- 5 and 5 +/- 3% in starved and fed rats, respectively, which reduced the apparent turnover to 8 +/- 9% and 6 +/- 4%, respectively. Quantification of the growing (13)C-1 glycogen signal requires a model function that accommodates changes in line shape throughout the period under study.

Activation of liver G-6-Pase in response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia or epinephrine infusion in the rat

This study was conducted to test the hypothesis of the activation of glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase) in situations where the liver is supposed to sustain high glucose supply, such as during the counterregulatory response to hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia was induced by insulin infusion in anesthetized rats. Despite hyperinsulinemia, endogenous glucose production (EGP), assessed by [3-(3)H]glucose tracer dilution, was paradoxically not suppressed in hypoglycemic rats. G-6-Pase activity, assayed in a freeze-clamped liver lobe, was increased by 30% in hypoglycemia (P < 0.01 vs. saline-infused controls). Infusion of epinephrine (1 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1)) in normal rats induced a dramatic 80% increase in EGP and a 60% increase in G-6-Pase activity. In contrast, infusion of dexamethasone had no effect on these parameters. Similar insulin-induced hypoglycemia experiments performed in adrenalectomized rats did not induce any stimulation of G-6-Pase. Infusion of epinephrine in adrenalectomized rats restored a stimulation of G-6-Pase similar to that triggered by hypoglycemia in normal rats. These results strongly suggest that specific activatory mechanisms of G-6-Pase take place and contribute to EGP in situations where the latter is supposed to be sustained.

Hepatic glucose uptake, gluconeogenesis and the regulation of glycogen synthesis

Hepatic glycogen is replenished during the absorptive period postprandially. This repletion is prompted partly by an increased hepatic uptake of glucose by the liver, partly by metabolite and hormonal signals in the portal vein, and partly by an increased gluconeogenic flux to glycogen (glyconeogenesis). There is some evidence that the direct formation of glycogen from glucose and that formed by gluconeogenic pathways is linked. This includes: (i) the inhibition of all glycogen synthesis, in vivo, when gluconeogenic flux is blocked by inhibitors; (ii) a dual relationship between glucose concentrations, lactate uptake by the liver and glycogen synthesis (by both pathways) which indicates that glucose sets the maximal rates of glycogen synthesis while lactate uptake determines the actual flux rate to glycogen; (iii) the decrease of both gluconeogenesis and glycogen synthesis by the biguanide, metformin; and (iv) correlations between increased gluconeogenesis and liver glycogen in obese patients and animal models. The degree to which the liver extracts portal glucose is not entirely agreed upon although a preponderance of evidence points to about a 5% extraction rate, following meals, which is dependent on a stimulation of glucokinase. This enzyme may be linked to the expression of other enzymes in the gluconeogenic pathway. Perivenous cells in the liver may induce additional gluconeogenesis in the periportal cells by increasing glycolytically produced lactate. A number of potential mechanisms therefore exist which could link glycogen synthesis from glucose and gluconeogenic substrate.

Mechanisms by which insulin, associated or not with glucose, may inhibit hepatic glucose production in the rat

We investigated the intrahepatic mechanisms by which insulin, associated or not with hyperglycemia, may inhibit hepatic glucose production (HGP) in the rat. After a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp in postabsorptive (PA) anesthetized rats, the 70% inhibition of HGP could be explained by a dramatic decrease in the glucose 6-phosphate (G-6-P) concentration, whereas the glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase) and glucokinase (GK) activities were unchanged. Under hyperinsulinemic hyperglycemic condition, the GK flux was increased. The G-6-P concentration was not or only weakly decreased. The inhibition of HGP involved a significant 25% inhibition of the G-6-Pase activity. Under similar conditions in fasted rats, the GK flux was very low. The suppression of G-6-Pase and HGP did not occur, despite plasma insulin and glucose concentrations similar to those in PA rats. Therefore, 1) insulin suppresses HGP in euglycemia by solely decreasing the G-6-P concentration; 2) when combining both hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia, the suppression of HGP involves the inhibition of the G-6-Pase activity; and 3) a sustained glucose-phosphorylation flux might be a crucial determinant in the inhibition of G-6-Pase and of HGP.

Regulatory role of glucose-6 phosphatase in the repletion of liver glycogen during refeeding in fasted rats

We analyzed the biochemical mechanisms involved in the liver glycogen repletion upon refeeding for 360 min in 48 and 96 h-fasted rats. In 48 h-fasted rats, the glycogen synthesis involved a rapid and further sustained induction of glucokinase (GK) (increased twice from 90 min) and a rapid but transient activation of glycogen synthase a (GSa) (maximal increase by 150% at 90 min). It did not involve the inhibition of glycogen phosphorylase a (GPa). In 96 h-fasted rats, the glycogen repletion did not involve the induction of GK for the first 180 min of refeeding. It involved a slow activation of GSa (maximal 150% increase at 180 min) and a rapid inhibition of GPa (significant from 90 min, maximal 50% inhibition by 180 min). In both groups of rats, there was a progressive inhibition of the glucose-6 phosphatase (Glc6Pase) activity (maximal suppression by 30% in both groups at 360 min). These results highlighted a key role for the inhibition of Glc6Pase activity in the liver glycogen repletion upon refeeding.

Regulation of glucose production by the liver

Glucose is an essential nutrient for the human body. It is the major energy source for many cells, which depend on the bloodstream for a steady supply. Blood glucose levels, therefore, are carefully maintained. The liver plays a central role in this process by balancing the uptake and storage of glucose via glycogenesis and the release of glucose via glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. The several substrate cycles in the major metabolic pathways of the liver play key roles in the regulation of glucose production. In this review, we focus on the short- and long-term regulation glucose-6-phosphatase and its substrate cycle counter-part, glucokinase. The substrate cycle enzyme glucose-6-phosphatase catalyzes the terminal step in both the gluconeogenic and glycogenolytic pathways and is opposed by the glycolytic enzyme glucokinase. In addition, we include the regulation of GLUT 2, which facilitates the final step in the transport of glucose out of the liver and into the bloodstream.

Role of glutamine in human carbohydrate metabolism in kidney and other tissues

Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the human body and is involved in more metabolic processes than any other amino acid. Until recently, the understanding of many aspects of glutamine metabolism was based on animal and in vitro data. However, recent studies using isotopic and balance techniques have greatly advanced the understanding of glutamine metabolism in humans and its role in glucose metabolism in the kidney and other tissues. There is now evidence that in postabsorptive humans, glutamine is an important glucose precursor and makes a significant contribution to the addition of new carbon to the glucose carbon pool. The importance of alanine for gluconeogenesis, viewed in terms of the addition of new carbons, is less than previously assumed. It appears that glutamine is predominantly a renal gluconeogenic substrate, whereas alanine gluconeogenesis is essentially confined to the liver. As shown recently, renal gluconeogenesis contributes 20 to 25% to whole-body glucose production. Moreover, glutamine has been shown not only to stimulate net muscle glycogen storage but also to stimulate gluconeogenesis in normal humans. Finally, in humans with type II diabetes, conversion of glutamine to glucose is increased (more so than that of alanine). The available evidence on the hormonal regulation of glutamine gluconeogenesis in kidney and liver and its alterations under pathological conditions are discussed.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase translocates onto liver endoplasmic reticulum and may account for the inhibition of glucose-6-phosphatase during refeeding

By using a rapid procedure of isolation of microsomes, we have shown that the liver glucose-6-phosphatase activity was lowered by about 30% (p < 0.001) after refeeding for 360 min rats previously unfed for 48 h, whereas the amount of glucose-6-phosphatase protein was not lowered during the same time. The amount of the regulatory subunit (p85) and the catalytic activity of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) were higher by a factor of 2.6 and 2.4, respectively (p < 0.01), in microsomes from refed as compared with fasted rats. This resulted from a translocation process because the total amount of p85 was the same in the whole liver homogenates from fasted and refed rats. The amount of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) was also higher by a factor of 2.6 in microsomes from refed rats (p < 0. 01). Microsome-bound IRS1 was only detected in p85 immunoprecipitates. These results strongly suggest that an insulin-triggered mechanism of translocation of PI3K onto microsomes occurs in the liver of rats during refeeding. This process, via the lipid products of PI3K, which are potent inhibitors of glucose-6-phosphatase (Mithieux, G., Danièle, N., Payrastre, B., and Zitoun, C. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 17-19), may account for the inhibition of the enzyme and participate to the inhibition of hepatic glucose production occurring in this situation.

Effects of ionic strength and chloride ion on activities of the glucose-6-phosphatase system: regulation of the biosynthetic activity of glucose-6-phosphatase by chloride ion inhibition/deinhibition

Certain amino acids stimulate glycogenesis from glucose. The regulatory volume decrease mechanism explaining these effects was defined by Meijer et al. (1992, J. Biol. Chem. 267, 5823-5828). It involves amino acid-induced swelling of hepatocytes resulting in loss of chloride ions which leads to deinhibition of glycogen synthase phosphatase. This results in enhanced conversion of the inactive to active form of glycogen synthase and thus enhanced glycogen synthesis. We have studied the effects of amino acids and chloride ion on the glucose-6-phosphatase system (Glc-6-Pase) with rat liver microsomal preparations, and correlated our results with those reported by others with glycogen synthase. Glc-6-Pase activities are increased by elevated ionic strength varied by increasing the concentration of various buffers or charged amino acids but are not affected by changes in osmolarity, varied with disaccharides or uncharged amino acids. With undisrupted microsomes, chloride ion competitively inhibits carbamyl phosphate: glucose phosphotransferase (KCP,t,UMi,Cl- = 19 mM) more extensively than Glc-6-P phosphohydrolase (KG6P,h,UMi,Cl- = 117 mM). Inhibition by chloride ion and activation due to ionic strength may be important considerations when assessing in vitro Glc-6-Pase activities where an attempt is made to replicate physiologic conditions. Further we propose that amino acids may play a role in increasing biosynthetic activity of Glc-6-Pase, as well as previously characterized glycogen synthase (Meijer et al., op. cit.), via the regulatory volume decrease mechanism through diminished chloride ion inhibition. Reduced concentration of chloride ion will (1) deinhibit the biosynthetic activity of Glc-6-Pase, while still inhibiting Glc-6-P hydrolysis, leading to an increased cellular concentration of Glc-6-P (an important glycogenic intermediate as well as allosteric activator of glycogen synthase) and (2) increase the active form of glycogen synthase by deinhibiting glycogen synthase phosphatase both through the previously defined mechanism (see above) and via Glc-6-P-enhanced conversion of glycogen synthase from its inactive to active form. We propose that the biosynthetic activity of Glc-6-Pase may act in concert with glycogen synthase during amino acid-induced glycogenesis from glucose.

Role of glucose-6 phosphatase, glucokinase, and glucose-6 phosphate in liver insulin resistance and its correction by metformin

We investigated the role of glucose-6 phosphatase (Glc6Pase), glucokinase (GK), and glucose-6 phosphate (Glc6P) in liver insulin resistance, an early characteristic of type 2 diabetes, and its correction by metformin. We determined hepatic glucose production (HGP) by tracer dilution, and enzyme activities and substrate concentrations after saline or insulin perfusions during euglycemic clamps in rats fed: 1) a standard hyperglucidic diet (S); 2) a high-fat diet (HF); and 3) a high-fat diet and treated with the oral antidiabetic metformin (HF/Met). Basal HGP was similar in the 3 groups: 75+/-8, 65+/-9.5 and 71+/-3 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1) (means+/-SEM, N=5) in S, HF and HF/Met rats, respectively. Upon insulin perfusion at 240 pmol/hr, HGP was decreased by 35% in S rats (49+/-4.5 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1), P < 0.01 vs. basal) and 65% in HF/Met rats (23+/-10 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1), P < 0.01 vs basal), whereas it was not decreased in HF rats (60+/-12 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1)), revealing insulin resistance. GK activity was lower (by 65%, P < 0.01) in HF and HF/Met rats (0.8+/-0.1 and 0.9+/-0.1 U/g liver, respectively) than in S rats (2.4+/-0.3 U/g). Microsomal Glc6Pase activity was lower (by 35%, P < 0.01) in HF and HF/Met rats (0.25+/-0.01 and 0.27+/-0.02 micromol r min(-1) x mg prot x (-1), respectively) than in S rats (0.39+/-0.03 micromol x min(-1) x mg prot x (-1)). Glc6P concentration was decreased by insulin perfusion at 480 pmol/hr in S and HF/Met rats (P < 0.05 vs. saline), but not in HF rats, in agreement with insulin resistance in the latter group. However, the differential inhibitions of HGP by insulin could not be ascribed to the variations in Glc6P concentrations. Metformin was present in the liver at a concentration of 27+/-2 nmol/g wet tissue and was not detected in the plasma. These results strongly suggest that the regulation of HGP by insulin additionally involves short-term regulatory mechanism(s) of Glc6Pase, occurring in vivo, and lost under in vitro conditions. These might be impaired in HF rats, in keeping with insulin resistance of HGP, and restored by metformin.

Liver microsomal glucose-6-phosphatase is competitively inhibited by the lipid products of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase

We have studied the effect of various phospholipids on the activity of glucose-6-phosphatase (Glc6Pase) in untreated and detergent-treated rat liver microsomes. Glc6Pase is inhibited in the presence of phosphoinositides in a dose-dependent manner within a range of concentration 0.5-10 microM. The order of efficiency in untreated microsomes is: phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3,4,5P3 > PI3,4P2 = PI4,5P2 > PI3P = PI4P > PI. In contrast, Glc6Pase is not inhibited in the presence of phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylethanolamine, diacylglycerol, and inositol 1,4, 5-trisphosphate at concentrations up to 100 microM. The mechanism of Glc6Pase inhibition by PI4,5P2, PI3,4P2, and PI3,4,5P3 is competitive in both untreated and detergent-treated microsomes. In untreated microsomes, the Ki for PI3,4,5P3 (1.7 +/- 0.3 microM, mean +/- S.D. n = 3) is significantly lower (p < 0.01) than that for PI3, 4P2 (5.0 +/- 0.8 microM) and for PI4,5P2 (4.7 +/- 0.7 microM). In detergent-treated microsomes, Glc6Pase is less sensitive to the inhibition and there is no difference anymore among the Ki values for the three compounds: 8.3 +/- 0.8, 11.1 +/- 0.5 and 8.9 +/- 0.4 microM for PI3,4,5P3, PI3,4P2, and PI4,5P2, respectively. This inhibition phenomenon might be of special importance with regards to the insulin's inhibition of hepatic glucose production.

Unsaturated fatty acids associated with glycogen may inhibit glucose-6 phosphatase in rat liver

This study was conducted to identify the nature of a glycogen-associated compound that had been shown to inhibit glucose-6 phosphatase in vitro. Glycogen was purified from the liver of fed rats by potassium hydroxyde digestion and ethanol precipitation. It inhibited glucose-6 phosphatase in microsomes isolated from rats deprived of food for 48 h. Two glycogen-associated fractions were purified by anion-exchange chromatography on DOWEX 1 (200-400 mesh). These fractions inhibited microsomal glucose-6-phosphatase activity in vitro (80 +/- 2 and 76 +/- 3% of control, respectively). After chromatography, glycogen was no longer inhibitory (101 +/- 3% of control). Because glycogen is associated with endoplasmic reticulum membranes in the liver, we tested the hypothesis that lipids could be involved in the inhibitory process. Lipids were extracted from glycogen by Folch's method and analyzed by thin-layer chromatography and gas chromatography. The glycogen-associated fractions did not contain complex lipids but contained unsaturated fatty acids, which had been shown previously to inhibit glucose-6-phosphatase in vitro. Because the concentration of unsaturated fatty acids in both fractions quantitatively accounted for the inhibition of glucose-6 phosphatase observed, and because noninhibitory chromatographed glycogen reconstituted with equivalent amounts of pure unsaturated fatty acids inhibited the enzyme as glycogen did, we conclude that unsaturated fatty acids likely constitute the glycogen-associated compound that inhibits glucose-6 phosphatase activity.

Glucose regulates in vivo glucose-6-phosphatase gene expression in the liver of diabetic rats

Overproduction of glucose by the liver is the major cause of fasting hyperglycemia in both insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The distal enzymatic step in the process of glucose output is catalyzed by the glucose-6-phosphatase complex. We show here that 90% partially pancreatectomized diabetic rats have a >5-fold increase in the messenger RNA and a 3-4-fold increase in the protein level of the catalytic subunit of glucose-6-phosphatase in the liver. Normalization of the plasma glucose concentration in diabetic rats with either insulin or the glycosuric agent phlorizin normalized the hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase messenger RNA and protein within approximately 8 h. Conversely, phlorizin failed to decrease hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase gene expression in diabetic rats when the fall in the plasma glucose concentration was prevented by glucose infusion. These data indicate that in vivo gene expression of glucose-6-phosphatase in the diabetic liver is regulated by glucose independently from insulin, and thus prolonged hyperglycemia may result in overproduction of glucose via increased expression of this protein.

Mechanisms by which fatty-acyl-CoA esters inhibit or activate glucose-6-phosphatase in intact and detergent-treated rat liver microsomes

We have studied the effects of fatty-acyl-CoA esters on the activity of glucose-6-phosphatase (Glc6Pase) in untreated and detergent-treated liver microsomes. Fatty-acyl-CoA esters with chain lengths less than or equal to nine carbons do not inhibit Glc6Pase. Medium-chain fatty-acyl-CoA esters (10-14 carbons) inhibit Glc6Pase of untreated microsomes in a dose-dependent manner in the range 1-20 microM. The inhibitory effect is also dependent on the acyl-chain length. The higher the chain length, the stronger the inhibitory effect. It is also dependent on the microsomal protein concentration. The higher the protein concentration, the lower the inhibitory effect. Fatty-acyl-CoA esters with longer chain length (equal to or higher than 16 carbons) inhibit Glc6Pase of untreated microsomes within the range 1-2 microM. However, the inhibitory effect is either partially or totally cancelled, or even changed into an activation effect at higher concentrations. This is due to the release of mannose-6-phosphatase latency. The inhibition is fully reversible in the presence of bovine serum albumin. The mechanism of the Glc6Pase inhibition in untreated microsomes is uncompetitive (Ki for myristoyl-CoA = 1.2 +/- 0.3 microM, mean +/- SD, n = 3). Glc6Pase of detergent-treated microsomes is also inhibited by fatty-acyl-CoA esters, albeit less efficiently. In this case, the mechanism is non-competitive (Ki for myristoyl-CoA = 29 +/- 3 microM).

Hysteresis at near-physiologic substrate concentrations underlies apparent sigmoid kinetics of the glucose-6-phosphatase system

Although Canfield and Arion (J. Biol. Chem. 263, 7458-7460 (1990)) have described the kinetics as hyperbolic, Traxinger and Nordlie (J. Biol. Chem. 262, 10015-10019 (1987)) reported sigmoid kinetics in the glucose-6-phosphatase system of intact microsomes at near-physiologic glucose-6-P concentrations. We show here that apparent sigmoidal kinetics, most clearly seen as sharp upward inflections in Hanes plots as substrate concentration approaches zero, are a consequence of the hysteretic lag in product formation during the first minutes of incubation of the enzyme with low concentrations of substrate. The appearance of sigmoidicity, observed when reaction velocities are calculated from changes in Pi concentration between 0 and 6 min of incubation, is not present when velocity is determined from slopes of [product]-time plots after linearity is achieved. The Km,glucose-6-P value, 0.86 mM, based on these hysteresis-corrected velocity values determined with intact microsomes from normal, control rats at low substrate concentrations, approached the upper limit of physiologic hepatic glucose-6-P concentrations. This suggests that glucose-6-phosphatase activity may be regulated by factors other than substrate concentrations alone. We propose that the hysteretic behavior, not sigmoid kinetics of the glucose-6-phosphatase enzyme system, may be a prime regulatory feature.