The role of glucose metabolites in the activation and translocation of glycogen synthase by insulin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Design of Tracers in Fluorescence Polarization Assay for Extensive Application in Small Molecule Drug Discovery

Development of fluorescence polarization (FP) assays, especially in a competitive manner, is a potent and mature tool for measuring the binding affinities of small molecules. This approach is suitable for high-throughput screening (HTS) for initial ligands and is also applicable for further study of the structure-activity relationships (SARs) of candidate compounds for drug discovery. Buffer and tracer, especially rational design of the tracer, play a vital role in an FP assay system. In this perspective, we provided different kinds of approaches for tracer design based on successful cases in recent years. We classified these tracers by different types of ligands in tracers, including peptide, nucleic acid, natural product, and small molecule. To make this technology accessible for more targets, we briefly described the basic theory and workflow, followed by highlighting the design and application of typical FP tracers from a perspective of medicinal chemistry.

Arsenic exposure-related hyperglycemia is linked to insulin resistance with concomitant reduction of skeletal muscle mass

BACKGROUND

Alargebodyof evidence has shown a link between arsenic exposure and diabetes, but the underlying mechanisms have not yet been clarified.

OBJECTIVE

We explored the association between arsenic exposure and the reduction of skeletal muscle mass as a potential mechanism of insulin resistance for developing arsenic-related hyperglycemia.

METHODS

A total of 581 subjects were recruited from arsenic-endemic and non-endemic areas in Bangladesh and their fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum insulin, and serum creatinine levels were determined. Subjects' arsenic exposure levels were assessed by arsenic concentrations in water, hair, and nails. HOMA-IR and HOMA-β were used to calculate insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction, respectively. Serum creatinine levels and lean body mass (LBM) were used as muscle mass indicators.

RESULTS

Water, hair and nail arsenic concentrations showed significant positive associations with FBG, serum insulin and HOMA-IR and inverse associations with serum creatinine and LBM in a dose-dependent manner both in males and females. Water, hair and nail arsenic showed significant inverse associations with HOMA-β in females but not in males. FBG and HOMA-IR were increased with the decreasing levels of serum creatinine and LBM. Odds ratios (ORs)of hyperglycemia were significantly increased with the increasing concentrations of arsenic in water, hair and nails and with the decreasing levels of serum creatinine and LBM. Females' HOMA-IR showed greater susceptibility to the reduction of serum creatinine and LBM, possibly causing the greater risk of hyperglycemia in females than males. Path analysis revealed the mediating effect of serum creatinine level on the relationship of arsenic exposure with HOMA-IR and hyperglycemia.

CONCLUSION

Arsenic exposure elevates FBG levels and the risk of hyperglycemia through increasing insulin resistance with greater susceptibility in females than males. Additionally, arsenic exposure-related reduction of skeletal muscle mass may be a mechanism underlying the development of insulin resistance and hyperglycemia.

Discovery and Development of Small-Molecule Inhibitors of Glycogen Synthase

The overaccumulation of glycogen appears as a hallmark in various glycogen storage diseases (GSDs), including Pompe, Cori, Andersen, and Lafora disease. Accumulating evidence suggests that suppression of glycogen accumulation represents a potential therapeutic approach for treating these GSDs. Using a fluorescence polarization assay designed to screen for inhibitors of the key glycogen synthetic enzyme, glycogen synthase (GS), we identified a substituted imidazole, (rac)-2-methoxy-4-(1-(2-(1-methylpyrrolidin-2-yl)ethyl)-4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)phenol (H23), as a first-in-class inhibitor for yeast GS 2 (yGsy2p). Data from X-ray crystallography at 2.85 Å, as well as kinetic data, revealed that H23 bound within the uridine diphosphate glucose binding pocket of yGsy2p. The high conservation of residues between human and yeast GS in direct contact with H23 informed the development of around 500 H23 analogs. These analogs produced a structure-activity relationship profile that led to the identification of a substituted pyrazole, 4-(4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyrogallol, with a 300-fold improved potency against human GS. These substituted pyrazoles possess a promising scaffold for drug development efforts targeting GS activity in GSDs associated with excess glycogen accumulation.

Exercise training ameliorates glucosamine-induced insulin resistance in ovariectomized rats

OBJECTIVE

Glucosamine (GlcN), which has been reported to induce insulin resistance (IR), is a popular nutritional supplement used to treat osteoarthritis in menopausal women. We previously demonstrated that GlcN treatment caused IR in ovariectomized rats by reducing the expression of glucose transport protein subtype 4 (GLUT-4) in skeletal muscle. In the present study, we hypothesized that endurance exercise training can reverse GlcN-induced IR.

METHODS

Fifty female rats were randomly divided into five groups with 10 rats in each group: (1) sham-operated group; (2) sham-operated group with GlcN treatment for 14 days; (3) ovariectomy (OVX) group; (4) OVX with GlcN treatment; and (5) OVX with GlcN treatment followed by exercise training (running program) for 8 weeks.

RESULTS

Fasting plasma glucose increased in the OVX + GlcN group, and fasting plasma insulin and the homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were significantly higher only in this group. After the rats received exercise training for 8 weeks, no increase in the fasting plasma glucose, insulin, or HOMA-IR was observed. In an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test, the plasma glucose, plasma insulin, HOMA-IR, and glucose-insulin index were significantly elevated only in the OVX with GlcN treatment group. However, the plasma glucose, plasma insulin, HOMA-IR, and glucose-insulin index decreased after exercise training for 8 weeks, implying that GlcN-induced IR in OVX rats could be reversed through exercise. A histological analysis revealed that exercise training can reduce islet hypertrophy and maintain GLUT-4 in skeletal muscle.

CONCLUSIONS

Exercise training can alleviate IR in OVX rats treated with GlcN. Islet hyperplasia was subsequently prevented. Preserving GLUT-4 expression may be one of the mechanisms by which exercise prevents IR.

Benzyl butyl phthalate promotes adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes: A High Content Cellomics and metabolomic analysis

Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) has been known to induce developmental and reproductive toxicity. However, its association with dysregulation of adipogenesis has been poorly investigated. The present study aimed to examine the effect of BBP on the adipogenesis, and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms using the 3T3-L1 cells. The capacity of BBP to promote adipogenesis was evaluated by multiple staining approaches combined with a High Content Cellomics analysis. The dynamic changes of adipogenic regulatory genes and proteins were examined, and the metabolite profile was identified using GC/MC based metabolomic analysis. The High Content analysis showed BBP in contrast with Bisphenol A (BPA), a known environmental obesogen, increased lipid droplet accumulation in a similar dose-dependent manner. However, the size of the lipid droplets in BBP-treated cells was significantly larger than those in cells treated with BPA. BBP significantly induced mRNA expression of transcriptional factors C/EBPα and PPARγ, their downstream genes, and numerous adipogenic proteins in a dose and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, GC/MC metabolomic analysis revealed that BBP exposure perturbed the metabolic profiles that are associated with glyceroneogenesis and fatty acid synthesis. Altogether, our current study clearly demonstrates that BBP promoted the differentiation of 3T3-L1 through the activation of the adipogenic pathway and metabolic disturbance.

Therapeutic potential of a synthetic FABP4 inhibitor 8g on atherosclerosis in ApoE-deficient mice: the inhibition of lipid accumulation and inflammation

We discovered a synthetic FABP4 inhibitor that ameliorated the symptoms of atherosclerosis and suppressed lipid accumulation.

The 3T3-L1 adipocyte glycogen proteome

Background

Glycogen is a branched polysaccharide of glucose residues, consisting of α-1-4 glycosidic linkages with α-1-6 branches that together form multi-layered particles ranging in size from 30 nm to 300 nm. Glycogen spatial conformation and intracellular organization are highly regulated processes. Glycogen particles interact with their metabolizing enzymes and are associated with a variety of proteins that intervene in its biology, controlling its structure, particle size and sub-cellular distribution. The function of glycogen in adipose tissue is not well understood but appears to have a pivotal role as a regulatory mechanism informing the cells on substrate availability for triacylglycerol synthesis. To provide new molecular insights into the role of adipocyte glycogen we analyzed the glycogen-associated proteome from differentiated 3T3-L1-adipocytes.

Results

Glycogen particles from 3T3-L1-adipocytes were purified using a series of centrifugation steps followed by specific elution of glycogen bound proteins using α-1,4 glucose oligosaccharides, or maltodextrins, and tandem mass spectrometry. We identified regulatory proteins, 14-3-3 proteins, RACK1 and protein phosphatase 1 glycogen targeting subunit 3D. Evidence was also obtained for a regulated subcellular distribution of the glycogen particle: metabolic and mitochondrial proteins were abundant. Unlike the recently analyzed hepatic glycogen proteome, no endoplasmic proteins were detected, along with the recently described starch-binding domain protein 1. Other regulatory proteins which have previously been described as glycogen-associated proteins were not detected, including laforin, the AMPK beta-subunit and protein targeting to glycogen (PTG).

Conclusions

These data provide new molecular insights into the regulation of glycogen-bound proteins that are associated with the maintenance, organization and localization of the adipocyte glycogen particle.

Methylglyoxal mediates adipocyte proliferation by increasing phosphorylation of Akt1

Methylglyoxal (MG) is a highly reactive metabolite physiologically presented in all biological systems. The effects of MG on diabetes and hypertension have been long recognized. In the present study, we investigated the potential role of MG in obesity, one of the most important factors to cause metabolic syndrome. An increased MG accumulation was observed in the adipose tissue of obese Zucker rats. Cell proliferation assay showed that 5–20 µM of MG stimulated the proliferation of 3T3-L1 cells. Further study suggested that accumulated-MG stimulated the phosphorylation of Akt1 and its targets including p21 and p27. The activated Akt1 then increased the activity of CDK2 and accelerated the cell cycle progression of 3T3-L1 cells. The effects of MG were efficiently reversed by advanced glycation end product (AGE) breaker alagebrium and Akt inhibitor SH-6. In summary, our study revealed a previously unrecognized effect of MG in stimulating adipogenesis by up-regulation of Akt signaling pathway and this mechanism might offer a new approach to explain the development of obesity.

Generation of a dominant-negative glycogen targeting subunit for protein phosphatase-1

Modulation of the expression of the protein phosphatase-1 (PP1) glycogen-targeting subunit PTG exerts profound effects on cellular glycogen metabolism in vitro and in vivo. PTG contains three distinct binding domains for glycogen, PP1, and a common site for glycogen synthase and phosphorylase. The impact of disrupting the PP1-binding domain on PTG function was examined in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. A full-length PTG mutant was generated as an adenoviral construct in which the valine and phenylalanine residues in the conserved PP1-binding domain were mutated to alanine (PTG-VF). Infection of fully differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes with the PTG-VF adenovirus reduced glycogen stores by over 50%. In vitro, PTG-VF competitively interfered with wild-type PTG action, suggesting that the mutant construct acted as a dominant-negative molecule. The reduction in cellular glycogen storage was due to a significantly increased rate of glycogen turnover. Interestingly, acute basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis rates were enhanced in PTG-VF expressing cells vs. control 3T3-L1 adipocytes, likely as a compensatory response to the loss of glycogen stores. These results indicate that the mutation of the PP1-binding domain on PTG resulted in the generation of a dominant-negative molecule that impeded endogenous PTG action and reduced cellular glycogen levels, through enhancement of glycogenolysis rather than impairment of glycogen synthesis.

The regulation of muscle glycogen: the granule and its proteins

Despite decades of studying muscle glycogen in many metabolic situations, surprisingly little is known regarding its regulation. Glycogen is a dynamic and vital metabolic fuel that has very limited energetic capacity. Thus its regulation is highly complex and multifaceted. The stores in muscle are not homogeneous and there appear to be various metabolic pools. Each granule is capable of independent regulation and fundamental aspects of the regulation appear to be associated with a complex set of proteins (some are enzymes and others serve scaffolding roles) that associate both with the granule and with each other in a dynamic fashion. The regulation includes altered phosphorylation status and often translocation as well. The understanding of the roles and the regulation of glycogenin, protein phosphatase 1, glycogen targeting proteins, laforin and malin are in their infancy. These various processes appear to be the mechanisms that give the glycogen granule precise, yet dynamic regulation.

Environmental endocrine disruptors promote adipogenesis in the 3T3-L1 cell line through glucocorticoid receptor activation

The burgeoning obesity and diabetes epidemics threaten health worldwide, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying these phenomena are incompletely understood. Recently, attention has focused on the potential contributions of environmental pollutants that act as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases. Because glucocorticoid signaling is central to adipocyte differentiation, the ability of EDCs to stimulate the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and drive adipogenesis was assessed in the 3T3-L1 cell line. Various EDCs were screened for glucocorticoid-like activity using a luciferase reporter construct, and four (bisphenol A (BPA), dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP), endrin, and tolylfluanid (TF)) were shown to significantly stimulate GR without significant activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were then treated with EDCs and a weak differentiation cocktail containing dehydrocorticosterone (DHC) in place of the synthetic dexamethasone. The capacity of these compounds to promote adipogenesis was assessed by quantitative oil red O staining and immunoblotting for adipocyte-specific proteins. The four EDCs increased lipid accumulation in the differentiating adipocytes and also upregulated the expression of adipocytic proteins. Interestingly, proadipogenic effects were observed at picomolar concentrations for several of the EDCs. Because there was no detectable adipogenesis when the preadipocytes were treated with compounds alone, the EDCs are likely promoting adipocyte differentiation by synergizing with agents present in the differentiation cocktail. Thus, EDCs are able to promote adipogenesis through the activation of the GR, further implicating these compounds in the rising rates of obesity and diabetes.

Glycogen: an overview of possible regulatory roles of the proteins associated with the granule

While scientists have routinely measured muscle glycogen in many metabolic situations for over 4 decades, there is surprisingly little known regarding its regulation. In the past decade, considerable evidence has illustrated that the carbohydrate stores in muscle are not homogeneous, and it is very likely that metabolic pools exist or that each granule has independent regulation. The fundamental aspects appear to be associated with a complex set of proteins that associate with both the granule and each other in a dynamic fashion. Some of the proteins are enzymes and others play scaffolding roles. A number of the proteins can translocate, depending on the metabolic stimulus. These various processes appear to be the mechanisms that give the glycogen granule precise yet dynamic regulation. This may also allow the stores to serve as an important metabolic regulator of other metabolic events.

Insulin stimulates adipogenesis through the Akt-TSC2-mTORC1 pathway

Background

The signaling pathways imposing hormonal control over adipocyte differentiation are poorly understood. While insulin and Akt signaling have been found previously to be essential for adipogenesis, the relative importance of their many downstream branches have not been defined. One direct substrate that is inhibited by Akt-mediated phosphorylation is the tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2) protein, which associates with TSC1 and acts as a critical negative regulator of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1 (mTORC1). Loss of function of the TSC1-TSC2 complex results in constitutive mTORC1 signaling and, through mTORC1-dependent feedback mechanisms and loss of mTORC2 activity, leads to a concomitant block of Akt signaling to its other downstream targets.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We find that, despite severe insulin resistance and the absence of Akt signaling, TSC2-deficient mouse embryo fibroblasts and 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes display enhanced adipocyte differentiation that is dependent on the elevated mTORC1 activity in these cells. Activation of mTORC1 causes a robust increase in the mRNA and protein expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), which is the master transcriptional regulator of adipocyte differentiation. In examining the requirements for different Akt-mediated phosphorylation sites on TSC2, we find that only TSC2 mutants lacking all five previously identified Akt sites fully block insulin-stimulated mTORC1 signaling in reconstituted Tsc2 null cells, and this mutant also inhibits adipogenesis. Finally, renal angiomyolipomas from patients with tuberous sclerosis complex contain both adipose and smooth muscle-like components with activated mTORC1 signaling and elevated PPARγ expression.

Conclusions/Significance

This study demonstrates that activation of mTORC1 signaling is a critical step in adipocyte differentiation and identifies TSC2 as a primary target of Akt driving this process. Therefore, the TSC1-TSC2 complex regulates the differentiation of mesenchymal cell lineages, at least in part, through its control of mTORC1 activity and PPARγ expression.

Single-chain insulins as receptor agonists

Single-chain insulins (SCIs) are single polypeptide chains in which the insulin B-chain links contiguously with the insulin A-chain via an uncleaved connecting peptide. Although direct linkage of insulin B- and A-chains produces SCIs with little insulin receptor binding, biologists have been interested in bioengineering linker peptides that form a flexible reverse turn, allowing SCIs to activate insulin receptors. In this report, we have investigated a series of cDNAs intended to explore the significance of linker length, cleavability, and the impact of certain site-dependent residues for the bioactivity of recombinant SCIs on insulin receptors. SCI concentration is readily measured by RIA with a (proinsulin plus insulin)-specific polyclonal antibody. Although dibasic flanking residues may result in potential endoproteolytic susceptibility, a linker with -Gln-Arg- flanking sequences resisted cleavage even in secretory granules, ensuring single-chain behavior. Effective SCIs exhibit favorable and specific binding with insulin receptors. SCIs with linkers bearing an Arg residue immediately preceding the A-chain were most bioactive, although efficient receptor interaction was inhibited as SCI linker length increased, approaching that observed for proinsulin. SCIs activate downstream metabolic signaling, stimulating glucose uptake into adipocytes and suppressing gluconeogenic enzyme biosynthesis in hepatocytes, with only limited cross-reactivity on IGF-I receptors. SCIs might theoretically have utility either in immunotherapy or gene therapy in insulin-deficient diabetes.

Accumulation of endogenous methylglyoxal impaired insulin signaling in adipose tissue of fructose-fed rats

Increased accumulation of methylglyoxal (MG) has been linked to different insulin resistance states including diabetes and hypertension. In this study, the effects of MG on insulin signaling pathway were investigated. Following 9 weeks of fructose treatment, an insulin resistance state was developed in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, demonstrated as increased triglyceride and insulin levels, high blood pressure, and decreased insulin-stimulated glucose uptake by adipose tissue. More importantly, we observed a close correlation between the development of insulin resistance and elevated MG level in serum and adipose tissue. Both insulin resistance state and the elevated MG level were reversed by the MG scavenger, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). When 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated directly with MG, the impaired insulin signaling was also observed, indicated by decreased insulin-induced insulin-receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) tyrosine phosphorylation and the decreased kinase activity of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase (PI3K). The ability of NAC to block MG-impairment of PI3K activity and IRS-1 phosphorylation further confirmed the role of MG in the development of insulin resistance. In conclusion, the increase in endogenous MG accumulation impairs insulin-signaling pathway and decreases insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in adipose tissue, which may contribute to the development of insulin resistance.

Role of glycogen content in insulin resistance in human muscle cells

We have used primary human muscle cell cultures to investigate the role of glycogen loading in cellular insulin resistance. Insulin pre-treatment for 2 h markedly impaired insulin signaling, as assessed by protein kinase B (PKB) phosphorylation. In contrast, insulin-dependent glycogen synthesis, glycogen synthase (GS) activation, and GS sites 3 de-phosphorylation were impaired only after 5 h of insulin pre-treatment, whereas 2-deoxyglucose transport was only decreased after 18 h pre-treatment. Insulin-resistant glycogen synthesis was associated closely with maximal glycogen loading. Both glucose limitation and 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide 1-beta-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR) treatment during insulin pre-treatment curtailed glycogen accumulation, and concomitantly restored insulin-sensitive glycogen synthesis and GS activation, although GS de-phosphorylation and PKB phosphorylation remained impaired. Conversely, glycogen super-compensation diminished insulin-sensitive glycogen synthesis and GS activity. Insulin acutely promoted GS translocation to particulate subcellular fractions; this was abolished by insulin pre-treatment, as was GS dephosphorylation therein. Limiting glycogen accumulation during insulin pre-treatment re-instated GS dephosphorylation in particulate fractions, whereas glycogen super-compensation prevented insulin-stimulated GS translocation and dephosphorylation. Our data suggest that diminished insulin signaling alone is insufficient to impair glucose disposal, and indicate a role for glycogen accumulation in inducing insulin resistance in human muscle cells.

Differential modulation of 3T3-L1 adipogenesis mediated by 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 levels

The localized activation of circulating glucocorticoids in vivo by the enzyme 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1) plays a critical role in the development of the metabolic syndrome. However, the precise contribution of 11beta-HSD1 in the initiation of adipogenesis by inactive glucocorticoids is not fully understood. 3T3-L1 fibroblasts can be terminally differentiated to mature adipocytes in a glucocorticoid-dependent manner. Both inactive rodent dehydrocorticosterone and human cortisone were able to substitute for the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone in 3T3-L1 adipogenesis, suggesting a potential role for 11beta-HSD1 in these effects. Differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells caused a strong increase in 11beta-HSD1 protein levels, which occurred late in the differentiation protocol. Reduction of 11beta-HSD1 activity in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts, achieved by pharmacological inhibition or adenovirally mediated delivery of short hairpin RNA constructs, specifically blocked the ability of inactive glucocorticoids to drive 3T3-L1 differentiation. However, even modest increases in exogenous 11beta-HSD1 expression in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts, to levels comparable with endogenous 11beta-HSD1 in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, were sufficient to block adipogenesis. Luciferase reporter assays indicated that overexpressed 11beta-HSD1 was catalyzing the inactivating dehydrogenase reaction, because the ability of both active and inactive glucocorticoids to activate the glucocorticoid receptor were largely suppressed. These results suggest that the temporal regulation of 11beta-HSD1 expression is tightly controlled in 3T3-L1 cells, so as to mediate the initiation of differentiation by inactive glucocorticoids and also to prevent the inhibitory activity of prematurely expressed 11beta-HSD1 during adipogenesis.

TC10alpha is required for insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in adipocytes

Previous studies have suggested that activation of the Rho family member GTPase TC10 is necessary but not sufficient for the stimulation of glucose transport by insulin. We show here that endogenous TC10alpha is rapidly activated in response to insulin in 3T3L1 adipocytes in a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-independent manner, whereas platelet-derived growth factor was without effect. Knockdown of TC10alpha but not TC10beta by RNA interference inhibited insulin-stimulated glucose uptake as well as the translocation of the insulin-sensitive glucose transporter GLUT4 from intracellular sites to the plasma membrane. In contrast, loss of TC10alpha had no effect on the stimulation of Akt by insulin. Additionally, knockdown of TC10alpha inhibited insulin-stimulated translocation of its effector CIP4. These data indicate that TC10alpha is specifically required for insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in adipocytes.

Regulation of the mouse protein targeting to glycogen (PTG) promoter by the FoxA2 forkhead protein and by 3',5'-cyclic adenosine 5'-monophosphate in H4IIE hepatoma cells

The scaffolding protein, protein targeting to glycogen (PTG), orchestrates the signaling of several metabolic enzymes involved in glycogen synthesis. However, little is known concerning the regulation of PTG itself. In this study, we have cloned and characterized the mouse promoter of PTG. We identified multiple FoxA2 binding sites within this region. FoxA2 is a member of the forkhead family of transcription factors that has recently been implicated in the cAMP-dependent regulation of several genes involved in liver metabolism. Using luciferase reporter constructs, we demonstrate that FoxA2 transactivates the PTG promoter in H4IIE hepatoma cells. Nuclear extracts prepared from mouse liver and H4IIE cells were able to bind a FoxA2-specific probe derived within the PTG promoter region. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments further demonstrate that FoxA2 binds to the PTG promoter in vivo. Finally, we show that treatment with cAMP analogs activates the PTG promoter and significantly increases PTG levels in H4IIE cells. Our results provide a framework to investigate how additional transcription factors may regulate PTG expression in other cell types.

Structural and functional changes in human insulin induced by methylglyoxal

Elevated methylglyoxal (MG) levels have been reported in insulin-resistance syndrome. The present study investigated whether MG, a highly reactive metabolite of glucose, induced structural and functional changes of insulin. Incubation of human insulin with MG in vitro yielded MG-insulin adducts, as evidenced by additional peaks observed on mass spectrometric (MS) analysis of the incubates. Tandem MS analysis of insulin B-chain adducts confirmed attachment of MG at an arginine residue. [3H]-2-deoxyglucose uptake by 3T3-L1 adipocytes was significantly and concentration-dependently decreased after the treatment with MG-insulin adducts, in comparison with the effect of native insulin at the same concentrations. A significant decrease of glucose uptake induced by MG-insulin adducts was also observed in L8 skeletal muscle cells. MG alone had no effect on glucose uptake or the transcriptional expression of insulin receptor. Unlike native insulin, MG-insulin adducts did not inhibit insulin release from pancreatic beta-cells. The degradation of MG-insulin through liver cells was also decreased. In conclusion, MG modifies insulin by attaching to internal arginine residue in beta-chain of insulin. The formation of this MG-insulin adduct decreases insulin-mediated glucose uptake, impairs autocrine control of insulin secretion, and decreases insulin clearance. These structural and functional abnormalities of insulin molecule may contribute to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance.

Central role for protein targeting to glycogen in the maintenance of cellular glycogen stores in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Overexpression of the protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) subunit protein targeting to glycogen (PTG) markedly enhances cellular glycogen levels. In order to disrupt the endogenous PTG-PP1 complex, small interfering RNA (siRNA) constructs against PTG were identified. Infection of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with PTG siRNA adenovirus decreased PTG mRNA and protein levels by >90%. In parallel, PTG reduction resulted in a >85% decrease in glycogen levels 4 days after infection, supporting a critical role for PTG in glycogen metabolism. Total PP1, glycogen synthase, and GLUT4 levels, as well as insulin-stimulated signaling cascades, were unaffected. However, PTG knockdown reduced glycogen-targeted PP1 protein levels, corresponding to decreased cellular glycogen synthase- and phosphorylase-directed PP1 activity. Interestingly, GLUT1 levels and acute insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis rates were increased two- to threefold, and glycogen synthase activation in the presence of extracellular glucose was maintained. In contrast, glycogenolysis rates were markedly increased, suggesting that PTG primarily acts to suppress glycogen breakdown. Cumulatively, these data indicate that disruption of PTG expression resulted in the uncoupling of PP1 activity from glycogen metabolizing enzymes, the enhancement of glycogenolysis, and a dramatic decrease in cellular glycogen levels. Further, they suggest that reduction of glycogen stores induced cellular compensation by several mechanisms, but ultimately these changes could not overcome the loss of PTG expression.

The vanadyl (VO2+) chelate bis(acetylacetonato)oxovanadium(IV) potentiates tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor

We have compared the insulin-like activity of bis(acetylacetonato)oxovanadium(IV) [VO(acac)2], bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(IV) [VO(malto)2], and bis(1-N-oxide-pyridine-2-thiolato)oxovanadium(IV) [VO(OPT)2] in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The insulin-like influence of VO(malto)2 and VO(OPT)2 was decreased compared with that of VO(acac)2. Also, serum albumin enhanced the insulin-like activity of all three chelates more than serum transferrin. Each of the three VO2+ chelates increased the tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins in response to insulin, including the beta-subunit of the insulin receptor (IRbeta) and the insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS1). However, VO(acac)2 exhibited the greatest synergism with insulin and was therefore further investigated. Treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with 0.25 mM VO(acac)2 in the presence of 0.25 mM serum albumin synergistically increased glycogen accumulation stimulated by 0.1 and 1 nM insulin, and increased the phosphorylation of IRbeta, IRS1, protein kinase B, and glycogen synthase kinase-3beta. Wortmannin suppressed all of these classical insulin-signaling activities exerted by VO(acac)2 or insulin, except for tyrosine phosphorylation of IRbeta and IRS1. Additionally, VO(acac)2 enhanced insulin signaling and metabolic action in insulin-resistant 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Cumulatively, these results provide evidence that VO(acac)2 exerts its insulin-enhancing properties by directly potentiating the tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor, resulting in the initiation of insulin metabolic signaling cascades in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Skeletal muscle glycogen synthase subcellular localization: effects of insulin and PPAR-α agonist (K-111) administration in rhesus monkeys

Insulin covalently and allosterically regulates glycogen synthase (GS) and may also cause the translocation of GS from glycogen-poor to glycogen-rich locations. We examined the possible role of subcellular localization of GS and glycogen in insulin activation of GS in skeletal muscle of six obese monkeys and determined whether 1) insulin stimulation during a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp and/or peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α agonist treatment (K-111, 3 mg·kg−1·day−1; Kowa) induced translocation of GS and 2) translocation of GS was associated with insulin activation of GS. GS and glycogen were present in all fractions obtained by differential centrifugation, except for the cytosolic fraction, under both basal and insulin-stimulated conditions. We found no evidence for translocation of GS by insulin. GS total (GST) activity was strongly associated with glycogen content ( r = 0.70, P < 0.001). Six weeks of treatment with K-111 increased GST activity in all fractions, except the cytosolic fraction, and mean GST activity, GS independent activity, and glycogen content were significantly higher in the insulin-stimulated samples compared with basal samples, effects not seen with vehicle. The increase in GST activity was strongly related to the increase in glycogen content during the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp after K-111 administration ( r = 0.74, P < 0.001). Neither GS protein expression nor GS gene expression was affected by insulin or by K-111 treatment. We conclude that 1) in vivo insulin does not cause translocation of GS from a glycogen-poor to a glycogen-rich location in primate skeletal muscle and 2) the mechanism of action of K-111 to improve insulin sensitivity includes an increase in GST activity without an increase in GS gene or protein expression.

Glucosamine induces rapid desensitization of glucose transport in isolated adipocytes by increasing GlcN-6-P levels

We have examined the hypothesis that glucosamine (GlcN) can rapidly induce insulin resistance through an allosteric mechanism. When insulin-treated adipocytes were exposed to 2mM GlcN, glucose uptake was rapidly reduced by approximately 60% with a T(1/2) of 2 min. We also observed an increase in intracellular GlcN-6-P (at 5 min) from undetectable levels to approximately 260 nmol/g. Continued GlcN treatment resulted in additional accumulation of GlcN-6-P (>1200 nmol/g at 2h), but caused no further decrease in glucose uptake. Although the acute inhibitory action of GlcN could be completely reversed by removing extracellular GlcN, a slow and progressive decrease in insulin-stimulated glucose transport was observed with longer treatment times (T(1/2) of 45 min, 62% loss by 5h). From these data, we conclude that: (1) GlcN elevates intracellular GlcN-6-P levels within minutes, resulting in desensitization of the glucose transport system through allosteric inhibition of hexokinase; (2) prolonged treatment elevates GlcN-6-P to levels that cannot be effectively lowered by cell washing; and (3) residual levels of GlcN-6-P continue to allosterically inhibit glucose uptake, resulting in a slower rate of desensitization that is temporally similar to glucose-induced desensitization, but mechanistically different.

The nuclear receptor corepressors NCoR and SMRT decrease peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma transcriptional activity and repress 3T3-L1 adipogenesis

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) is a central regulator of adipogenesis and recruits coactivator proteins in response to ligand. However, the role of another class of nuclear cofactors, the nuclear receptor corepressors, in modulating PPARgamma transcriptional activity is less clear. Such corepressors include the nuclear receptor corepressor (NCoR) and the silencing mediator of retinoid and thyroid hormone receptors (SMRT). Our data suggest that PPARgamma recruits SMRT and NCoR in the absence of ligand and that these corepressors are capable of down-regulating PPARgamma-mediated transcriptional activity. The addition of the PPARgamma ligand pioglitazone results in dissociation of the PPARgamma-corepressor complex. To define the role of SMRT and NCoR in PPARgamma action, 3T3-L1 cells deficient in SMRT or NCoR were generated by RNA interference. When these cells are exposed to differentiation media, they exhibit increased expression of adipocyte-specific genes and increased production of lipid droplets, as compared with control cells. These data suggest that the nuclear receptor corepressors decrease PPARgamma transcriptional activity and repress the adipogenic program in 3T3-L1 cells.

Glucosamine-induced activation of glycogen biosynthesis in isolated adipocytes. Evidence for a rapid allosteric control mechanism within the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway

Enhanced flux through the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP) induces insulin resistance and facilitates lipid storage through the up-regulation of enzyme mRNA levels. Both actions occur over several hours and require gene expression. We now identify a regulatory arm of the HBP that involves rapid allosteric activation of glycogen synthase (GS) and stimulation of glycogen biosynthesis (GBS). When insulin-pretreated adipocytes were exposed to 2 mM GlcN, incorporation of [14C]glucose into glycogen doubled by 10 min (t(1/2) of <5 min), whereas UDP-glucose levels were concomitantly decreased during this time (t(1/2) of 1.4 min; >90% depletion). Stimulation of GBS and depletion of UDP-glucose both correlated with an early and rapid rise in the levels of glucosamine-6-phosphate (GlcN-6-P), a known activator of GS. The lowering of GlcN-6-P levels by removing extracellular GlcN (>80% reduction by 45 min) was accompanied by the restoration of UDP-glucose levels. Prolonged GlcN treatment (20 min to 2 h) inhibited GBS, which corresponded to a massive intracellular accumulation of GlcN-6-P (t(1/2) of approximately 32 min; >1,400 nmol/g). From these data, we conclude the following. 1) GlcN treatment elevated intracellular GlcN-6-P levels within minutes, resulting in allosteric activation of GS, stimulation of GBS, and a reduction in steady-state levels of UDP-glucose due to increased precursor utilization. 2) Prolonged treatment with high concentrations of GlcN caused massive accumulation of GlcN-6-P that adversely affected cellular metabolism and reduced GBS. 3) The biphasic actions of GlcN on GBS may explain many of the discrepant reports on the role of the HBP in glycogen metabolism.

Spatial reorganization of glycogen synthase upon activation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

The dephosphorylation of glycogen synthase is a key step in the stimulation of glycogen synthesis by insulin. To further investigate the hormonal regulation of glycogen synthase activity, enzymatic localization in 3T3-L1 adipocytes was determined by immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy. In basal cells, glycogen synthase and the protein phosphatase-1-glycogen-targeting subunit, protein targeting to glycogen (PTG), were diffusely distributed throughout the cell. Insulin treatment had no effect on PTG distribution but resulted in a reorganization of glycogen synthase into punctate clusters. Glycogen synthase aggregation was restricted to discrete cellular sites, presumably where glycogen synthesis occurred. Omission of extracellular glucose or substitution with 2-deoxy-glucose blocked the insulin-induced redistribution of glycogen synthase. Addition of the glycogenolytic agent forskolin after insulin stimulation disrupted the clusters of glycogen synthase protein, restoring the immunostaining pattern to the basal state. Conversely, adenoviral-mediated overexpression of PTG resulted in the insulin-independent dephosphorylation of glycogen synthase and a redistribution of the enzyme from the cytosolic- to glycogen-containing fractions. The effects of PTG on glycogen synthase activity were mediated by multisite dephosphorylation, which was enhanced by insulin and 2-deoxy-glucose, and required a functional glycogen synthase-binding domain on PTG. However, PTG overexpression did not induce distinct glycogen synthase clustering in fixed cells, presumably because cellular glycogen levels were increased more than 7-fold under these conditions, resulting in a diffusion of sites where glycogen elongation occurred. Cumulatively, these data indicate that the hormonal regulation of glycogen synthesis rates in 3T3-L1 adipocytes is mediated in part through changes in the subcellular localization of glycogen synthase.

Dynamic actions of glucose and glucosamine on hexosamine biosynthesis in isolated adipocytes: differential effects on glucosamine 6-phosphate, UDP-N-acetylglucosamine, and ATP levels

Glucose and glucosamine (GlcN) cause insulin resistance over several hours by increasing metabolite flux through the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP). To elucidate the early events underlying glucose-induced desensitization, we treated isolated adipocytes with either glucose or GlcN and then measured intracellular levels of glucose-6-P (G-6-P), GlcN-6-P, UDP-Glc-NAc, and ATP. Glucose treatment rapidly increased G-6-P levels (t((1/2)) < 1 min), which plateaued by 15 min and remained elevated for up to 4 h (glucose ED(50) = 4mm). In glucose-treated cells, GlcN-6-P was undetectable; however, GlcN treatment (2 mm) caused a rapid and massive accumulation of GlcN-6-P. Levels increased by 5 min ( approximately 400 nmol/g) and continued to rise over 2 h (t((1/2)) approximately 20 min) before reaching a plateau at >1,400 nmol/g (ED(50) = 900 microm). Thus, at high GlcN concentrations, unrestricted flux into the HBP greatly exceeds the biosynthetic capacity of the pathway leading to a rapid buildup of GlcN-6-P. The GlcN-induced rise in GlcN-6-P levels was correlated with ATP depletion, suggesting that ATP loss is caused by phosphate sequestration (with the formation of GlcN-6-P) or the energy demands of phosphorylation. As expected, GlcN and glucose increased UDP-GlcNAc levels (t((1/2)) approximately 14-18 min), but greater levels were obtained with GlcN (4-5-fold for GlcN, 2-fold for glucose). Importantly, we found that low doses of GlcN (<250 microm, ED(50) = 80 microm) could markedly elevate UDP-GlcNAc levels without increasing GlcN-6-P levels or depleting ATP levels. These studies on the dynamic actions of glucose and GlcN on hexosamine levels should be useful in exploring the functional role of the HBP and in avoiding the potential pitfalls in the pharmacological use of GlcN.

Glucose 6-phosphate causes translocation of phosphorylase in hepatocytes and inactivates the enzyme synergistically with glucose

The role of glucose 6-P (glucose 6-phosphate) in regulating the activation state of glycogen synthase and its translocation is well documented. In the present study, we investigated the effects of glucose 6-P on the activation state and compartmentation of phosphorylase in hepatocytes. Glucose 6-P levels were modulated in hepatocytes by glucokinase overexpression or inhibition with 5-thioglucose and the effects of AMP were tested using AICAR (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide 1-beta-D-ribofuranoside), which is metabolized to an AMP analogue. Inhibition of glucokinase partially counteracted the effect of glucose both on the inactivation of phosphorylase and on the translocation of phosphorylase a from a soluble to a particulate fraction. The increase in glucose 6-P caused by glucokinase overexpression caused translocation of phosphorylase a to the pellet and had additive effects with glucose on inactivation of phosphorylase. It decreased the glucose concentration that caused half-maximal inactivation from 20 to 11 mM, indicating that it acts synergistically with glucose. AICAR activated phosphorylase and counteracted the effect of glucose 6-P on phosphorylase inactivation. However, it did not counteract translocation of phosphorylase by glucose 6-P. Glucose 6-P and AICAR had opposite effects on the activation state of glycogen synthase, but they had additive effects on translocation of the enzyme to the pellet. There was a direct correlation between the translocation of phosphorylase a and of glycogen synthase to the pellet, suggesting that these enzymes translocate in tandem. In conclusion, glucose 6-P causes both translocation of phosphorylase and inactivation, indicating a more complex role in the regulation of glycogen metabolism than can be explained from regulation of glycogen synthase alone.

Protein targeting to glycogen overexpression results in the specific enhancement of glycogen storage in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Protein phosphatase-1 (PP1) plays an important role in the regulation of glycogen synthesis by insulin. Protein targeting to glycogen (PTG) enhances glycogen accumulation by increasing PP1 activity against glycogen-metabolizing enzymes. However, the specificity of PTG's effects on cellular dephosphorylation and glucose metabolism is unclear. Overexpression of PTG in 3T3-L1 adipocytes using a doxycycline-controllable adenoviral construct resulted in a 10-20-fold increase in PTG levels and an 8-fold increase in glycogen levels. Inclusion of 1 microg/ml doxycycline in the media suppressed PTG expression, and fully reversed all PTG-dependent effects. Infection of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with the PTG adenovirus caused a marked dephosphorylation and activation of glycogen synthase. The effects of PTG seemed specific, because basal and insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of a variety of signaling proteins was unaffected. Indeed, glycogen synthase was the predominant protein whose phosphorylation state was decreased in 32P-labeled cells. PTG overexpression did not alter PP1 protein levels but increased PP1 activity 6-fold against phosphorylase in vitro. In contrast, there was no change in PP1 activity measured using myelin basic protein, suggesting that PTG overexpression specifically directed PP1 activity against glycogen-metabolizing enzymes. To investigate the metabolic consequences of altering PTG levels, glucose uptake and storage in 3T3-L1 adipocytes was measured. PTG overexpression did not affect 2-deoxy-glucose transport rates in basal and insulin-stimulated cells but dramatically enhanced glycogen synthesis rates under both conditions. Despite the large increases in cellular glucose flux upon PTG overexpression, basal and insulin-stimulated glucose incorporation into lipid were unchanged. Cumulatively, these data indicate that PTG overexpression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes discretely stimulates PP1 activity against glycogen synthase and phosphorylase, resulting in a marked and specific increase in glucose uptake and storage as glycogen.

Regulation of glycogen synthase in skeletal muscle during exercise

Glycogen synthase (GS) catalyses the incorporation of uridine diphosphate-glucose into glycogen in skeletal muscle. In concert with the glucose transport step, GS activity is thought to be rate-limiting in the disposal of glucose as muscle glycogen. Glycogen synthase is regulated by both allosteric factors (primarily glucose 6-phosphate) and covalent modification by reversible phosphorylation and dephosphorylation leading to inactivation and activation of GS, respectively. Exercise activates both stimulatory and inhibitory regulators of GS and it is thought that the resultant activity of GS during exercise depends on the relative strength of opposing signals. However, the mechanisms by which exercise regulates GS activity are not fully understood. Glycogen breakdown, the GM-protein phosphatase 1 complex and possibly cellular relocalization of GS may be considered important factors involved in the stimulation of GS activity during exercise, while adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase and plasma adrenaline (via protein kinase A) can be considered as essential for the exercise-induced inhibitory signals to GS.

Differing roles of Akt and serum- and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase in glucose metabolism, DNA synthesis, and oncogenic activity

Serum- and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase (SGK) is a serine kinase that has a catalytic domain homologous to that of Akt, but lacks the pleckstrin homology domain present in Akt. Akt reportedly plays a key role in various cellular actions, including glucose transport, glycogen synthesis, DNA synthesis, anti-apoptotic activity, and cell proliferation. In this study, we attempted to reveal the different roles of SGK and Akt by overexpressing active mutants of Akt and SGK. We found that adenovirus-mediated overexpression of myristoylated (myr-) forms of Akt resulted in high glucose transport activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) and enhanced glycogen synthase activity in hepatocytes, and the promotion of DNA synthesis in interleukin-3-dependent 32D cells. In addition, stable transfection of myr-Akt in NIH3T3 cells induced an oncogenic transformation in soft agar assays. The active mutant of SGK (D-SGK, substitution of Ser422 with Asp) and myr-SGK were shown to phosphorylate GSK3 and to enhance glycogen synthase activity in hepatocytes in a manner very similar to that observed for myr-Akt. However, despite the comparable degree of GSK3 phosphorylation between myr-Akt and d-SGK or myr-SGK, d-SGK and myr-SGK failed to enhance glucose transport activity in 3T3-L1 cells, DNA synthesis in 32D cells, and oncogenic transformation in NIH3T3 cells. Therefore, the different roles of SGK and Akt cannot be attributed to ability or inability to translocate to the membrane thorough the pleckstrin homology domain, but rather must be attributable to differences in the relatively narrow substrate specificities of these kinases. In addition, our observations strongly suggest that phosphorylation of GSK3 is either not involved in or not sufficient for GLUT4 translocation, DNA synthesis, or oncogenic transformation. Thus, the identification of substrates selectively phosphorylated by Akt, but by not SGK, may provide clues to clarifying the pathway leading from Akt activation to these cellular activities.

Insulin resistance of glycogen synthase mediated by o-linked N-acetylglucosamine

We have investigated the mechanism by which high concentrations of glucose inhibit insulin stimulation of glycogen synthase. In NIH-3T3-L1 adipocytes cultured in low glucose (LG; 2.5 mm), the half-maximal activation concentration (A(0.5)) of glucose 6-phosphate was 162 +/- 15 microm. Exposure to either high glucose (HG; 20 mm) or glucosamine (GlcN; 10 mm) increased the A(0.5) to 558 +/- 61 or 612 +/- 34 microm. Insulin treatment with LG reduced the A(0.5) to 96 +/- 10 microm, but cells cultured with HG or GlcN were insulin-resistant (A(0.5) = 287 +/- 27 or 561 +/- 77 microm). Insulin resistance was not explained by increased phosphorylation of synthase. In fact, culture with GlcN decreased phosphorylation to 61% of the levels seen in cells cultured in LG. Hexosamine flux and subsequent enzymatic protein O-glycosylation have been postulated to mediate nutrient sensing and insulin resistance. Glycogen synthase is modified by O-linked N-acetylglucosamine, and the level of glycosylation increased in cells treated with HG or GlcN. Treatment of synthase in vitro with protein phosphatase 1 increased basal synthase activity from cells cultured in LG to 54% of total activity but was less effective with synthase from cells cultured in HG or GlcN, increasing basal activity to only 13 or 16%. After enzymatic removal of O-GlcNAc, however, subsequent digestion with phosphatase increased basal activity to over 73% for LG, HG, and GlcN. We conclude that O-GlcNAc modification of glycogen synthase results in the retention of the enzyme in a glucose 6-phosphate-dependent state and contributes to the reduced activation of the enzyme in insulin resistance.

A point mutation in the UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase gene results in decreases of UDP-glucose and inactivation of glycogen synthase

The regulatory role of UDP-glucose in glycogen biogenesis was investigated in fibroblasts containing a point mutation in the UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase gene and, consequently, chronically low UDP-glucose levels (Qc). Comparisons were made with cells having the intact gene and restored UDP-glucose levels (G3). Glycogen was always very low in Qc cells. [(14)C]Glucose incorporation into glycogen was decreased and unaffected by insulin in Qc cells, whereas insulin stimulated glucose incorporation by approximately 50% in G3 cells. Glycogen synthase (GS) activity measured in vitro was virtually absent and the amount of enzyme in Qc cells was decreased by about 50%. The difference in GS activity between cells persisted even when G3 cells were devoid of glycogen. Incubation of G3 cell extracts with either exogenous UDP-glucose or glycogen resulted in increases in GS activity. Incubation of Qc cell extracts with exogenous UDP-glucose had no effect on GS activity; however, incubation with glycogen fully restored enzyme activity. Incubation of G3 cell extracts with radioactive UDP-glucose resulted in substantial binding of ligand to immunoprecipitated GS, whereas no binding was detected in Qc immunoprecipitates. Incubation of Qc cell extracts with exogenous glycogen fully restored UDP-glucose binding in the immunoprecipitate. These data suggest that chronically low UDP-glucose levels in cells result in inactivation of GS, owing to loss of the ability of GS to bind UDP-glucose.

The TC10-interacting protein CIP4/2 is required for insulin-stimulated Glut4 translocation in 3T3L1 adipocytes

The GTPase TC10 plays a critical role in insulin-stimulated glucose transport. We report here the identification of the TC10-interacting protein CIP4/2 (Cdc42-interacting protein 4/2) as an effector in this pathway. CIP4/2 localizes to an intracellular compartment under basal conditions and translocates to the plasma membrane on insulin stimulation. Overexpression of constitutively active TC10 brings CIP4/2 to the plasma membrane, whereas overexpression of an inhibitory form of TC10 blocks the translocation of CIP4/2 produced by insulin. Overexpression of mutant forms of CIP4/2 containing an N-terminal deletion or with diminished TC10 binding inhibits insulin-stimulated Glut4 translocation. These data suggest that CIP4/2 may play an important role in insulin-stimulated glucose transport as a downstream effector of TC10.

Alterations of nPKC distribution, but normal Akt/PKB activation in denervated rat soleus muscle

Denervation has been shown to impair the ability of insulin to stimulate glycogen synthesis and, to a lesser extent, glucose transport in rat skeletal muscle. Insulin binding to its receptor, activation of the receptor tyrosine kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase do not appear to be involved. On the other hand, it has been shown that denervation causes an increase in the total diacylglycerol (DAG) content and membrane-associated protein kinase C (PKC) activity. In this study, we further characterize these changes in PKC and assess other possible signaling abnormalities that might be related to the decrease of glycogen synthesis. The results reveal that PKC-epsilon and -theta;, but not -alpha or -zeta, are increased in the membrane fraction 24 h after denervation and that the timing of these changes parallels the impaired ability of insulin to stimulate glycogen synthesis. At 24 h, these changes were associated with a 65% decrease in glycogen synthase (GS) activity ratio and decreased electrophoretic mobility, indicative of phosphorylation in GS in muscles incubated in the absence of insulin. Incubation of the denervated soleus with insulin for 30 min minimally increased glucose incorporation into glycogen; however, it increased GS activity threefold, to a value still less than that of control muscle, and it eliminated the gel shift. In addition, insulin increased the apparent abundance of GS kinase (GSK)-3 and protein phosphatase (PP)1 alpha in the supernatant fraction of muscle homogenate to control values, and it caused the same increases in GSK-3 and Akt/protein kinase B (PKB) phosphorylation and Akt/PKB activity that it did in nondenervated muscle. No alterations in hexokinase I or II activity were observed after denervation; however, in agreement with a previous report, glucose 6-phosphate levels were diminished in 24-h-denervated soleus, and they did not increase after insulin stimulation. These results indicate that alterations in the distribution of PKC-epsilon and -theta; accompany the impairment of glycogen synthesis in the 24-h-denervated soleus. They also indicate that the basal rate of glycogen synthesis and its stimulation by insulin in these muscles are diminished despite a normal activation of Akt/PKB and phosphorylation of GSK-3. The significance of the observed alterations to GSK-3 and PP1 alpha distribution remain to be determined.

Structural origins of the insulin-mimetic activity of bis(acetylacetonato)oxovanadium(IV)

We have investigated the interaction of bis(acetylacetonato)oxovanadium(IV) (VO(acac)(2)) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) by EPR and angle-selected electron nuclear double resonance, correlating results with assays of glucose uptake by 3T3-L1 adipocytes. EPR spectra of VO(acac)(2) showed no broadening in the presence of BSA; however, electron nuclear double resonance titrations of VO(acac)(2) in the presence of BSA were indicative of adduct formation of VO(acac)(2) with albumin of 1:1 stoichiometry. The influence of VO(acac)(2) on uptake of 2-deoxy-d-[1-(14)C]glucose by serum-starved 3T3-L1 adipocytes was measured in the presence and absence of BSA. Glucose uptake was stimulated 9-fold in the presence of 0.5 mm VO(acac)(2), 17-fold in the presence of 0.5 mm VO(acac)(2) plus 1 mm BSA, and 22-fold in the presence of 100 nm insulin. BSA had no influence on glucose uptake, on the action of insulin, or on glucose uptake in the presence of VOSO(4). The maximum insulin-mimetic effect of VO(acac)(2) was observed at VO(acac)(2):BSA ratios less than or equal to 1.0. Similar results were obtained also with bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(IV). These results suggest that the enhanced insulin-mimetic action of organic chelates of VO(2+) may be dependent on adduct formation with BSA and possibly other serum transport proteins.

A unique carbohydrate binding domain targets the lafora disease phosphatase to glycogen

Lafora disease (progressive myoclonus epilepsy of Lafora type) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder resulting from defects in the EPM2A gene. EPM2A encodes a 331-amino acid protein containing a carboxyl-terminal phosphatase catalytic domain. We demonstrate that the EPM2A gene product also contains an amino-terminal carbohydrate binding domain (CBD) and that the CBD is critical for association with glycogen both in vitro and in vivo. The CBD domain localizes the phosphatase to specific subcellular compartments that correspond to the expression pattern of glycogen processing enzyme, glycogen synthase. Mutations in the CBD result in mis-localization of the phosphatase and thereby suggest that the CBD targets laforin to intracellular glycogen particles where it is likely to function. Thus naturally occurring mutations within the CBD of laforin likely result in progressive myoclonus epilepsy due to mis-localization of phosphatase expression.

Intracellular distribution of glycogen synthase and glycogen in primary cultured rat hepatocytes

Changes in the intracellular distribution of liver glycogen synthase (GS) might constitute a new regulatory mechanism for the activity of this enzyme at cellular level. Our previous studies indicated that incubation of isolated hepatocytes with glucose activated GS and resulted in its translocation from a homogeneous cytosolic distribution to the cell periphery. These studies also suggested a relationship with insoluble elements of the cytoskeleton, in particular actin. Here we show the translocation of GS in a different experimental model that allows the analysis of this phenomenon in long-term studies. We describe the reversibility of translocation of GS and its effect on glycogen distribution. Incubation of cultured rat hepatocytes with glucose activated GS and triggered its translocation to the hepatocyte periphery. The relative amount of the enzyme concentrated near the plasma membrane increased with time up to 8 h of incubation with glucose, when the glycogen stores reached their maximal value. The lithium-induced covalent activation of GS was not sufficient to cause its translocation to the cell periphery. The intracellular distribution of GS closely resembled that of glycogen. Our results showed an interaction between GS and an insoluble element of the hepatocyte matrix. Although no co-localization between actin filaments and GS was observed in any condition, disruption of actin cytoskeleton resulted in a significantly lower percentage of cells in which the enzyme translocated to the cell periphery in response to glucose. This observation suggests that the microfilament network has a role in the translocation of GS.

Glycogen synthase localization and activity in rat skeletal muscle is strongly dependent on glycogen content

1. The influence of muscle glycogen content on glycogen synthase (GS) localization and GS activity was investigated in skeletal muscle from male Wistar rats. 2. Two groups of rats were obtained, preconditioned with a combination of exercise and diet to obtain either high (HG) or low (LG) muscle glycogen content. The cellular distribution of GS was studied using subcellular fractionation and confocal microscopy of immunostained single muscle fibres. Stimulation of GS activity in HG and LG muscle was obtained with insulin or contractions in the perfused rat hindlimb model. 3. We demonstrate that GS translocates from a glycogen-enriched membrane fraction to a cytoskeleton fraction when glycogen levels are decreased. Confocal microscopy supports the biochemical observations that the subcellular localization of GS is influenced by muscle glycogen content. GS was not found in the nucleus. 4. Investigation of the effect of glycogen content on GS activity in basal and insulin- and contraction-stimulated muscle shows that glycogen has a strong inhibitory effect on GS activity. Our data demonstrate that glycogen is a more potent regulator of glycogen synthase activity than insulin. Furthermore we show that the contraction-induced increase in GS activity is merely a result of a decrease in muscle glycogen content. 5. In conclusion, the present study shows that GS localization is influenced by muscle glycogen content and that not only basal but also insulin- and contraction-stimulated GS activity is strongly regulated by glycogen content in skeletal muscle.

Activation of glycogen synthase by insulin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes involves c-Cbl-associating protein (CAP)-dependent and CAP-independent signaling pathways

In adipose and muscle, insulin stimulates glucose uptake and glycogen synthase activity. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) activation is necessary but not sufficient for these metabolic actions of insulin. The insulin-stimulated translocation of phospho-c-Cbl to lipid rafts, via its association with CAP, comprises a second pathway regulating GLUT4 translocation. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, overexpression of a dominant negative CAP mutant (CAP Delta SH3) completely blocked the insulin-stimulated glucose transport and glycogen synthesis but only partially inhibited glycogen synthase activation. In contrast, CAP Delta SH3 expression did not affect glycogen synthase activation by insulin in the absence of extracellular glucose. Moreover, CAP Delta SH3 has no effect on the PI3K-dependent activation of protein phosphatase-1 or phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3. These results indicate blockade of the c-Cbl/CAP pathway directly inhibits insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, which results in secondary inhibition of glycogen synthase activation and glycogen synthesis.

Specific desensitization of glycogen synthase activation by insulin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Connection between enzymatic activation and subcellular localization

A protocol was developed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes that resulted in the specific desensitization of glycogen synthase activation by insulin. Cells were pretreated for 15 min with 100 nm insulin, and then recovered for 1.5 h in the absence of hormone. Subsequent basal and insulin-induced phosphorylation of the insulin receptor, IRS-1, MAPK, Akt kinase, and GSK-3 were similar in control and pretreated cells. Additionally, enhanced glucose transport and incorporation into lipid in response to insulin were unaffected. However, pretreatment reduced insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis by over 50%, due to a nearly complete inhibition of glycogen synthase activation. Removal of extracellular glucose during the recovery period blocked the increase in glycogen levels, and restored insulin-induced glycogen synthase activation. Furthermore, incubation of pretreated 3T3-L1 adipocytes with glycogenolytic agents reversed the desensitization event. Separation of cellular lysates on sucrose gradients revealed that glycogen synthase was primarily located in the dense pellet fraction, with lesser amounts in the lighter fractions. Insulin induced glycogen synthase translocation from the lighter to the denser glycogen-containing fractions. Interestingly, insulin preferentially activated translocated enzyme while having little effect on the majority of glycogen synthase activity in the pellet fraction. In insulin-pretreated cells, glycogen synthase did not return to the lighter fractions during recovery, and thus did not move in response to the second insulin exposure. These results suggest that, in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, the translocation of glycogen synthase may be an important step in the regulation of glycogen synthesis by insulin. Furthermore, intracellular glycogen levels can regulate glycogen synthase activation, potentially through modulation of enzymatic localization.

Identification of binding sites on protein targeting to glycogen for enzymes of glycogen metabolism

The activation of protein phosphastase-1 (PP1) by insulin plays a critical role in the regulation of glycogen metabolism. PTG is a PP1 glycogen-targeting protein, which also binds the PP1 substrates glycogen synthase, glycogen phosphorylase, and phosphorylase kinase (Printen, J. A., Brady, M. J., and Saltiel, A. R. (1997) Science 275, 1475-1478). Through a combination of deletion analysis and site-directed mutagenesis, the regions on PTG responsible for binding PP1 and its substrates have been delineated. Mutagenesis of Val-62 and Phe-64 in the highly conserved (K/R)VXF PP1-binding motif to alanine was sufficient to ablate PP1 binding to PTG. Phosphorylase kinase, glycogen synthase, and phosphorylase binding all mapped to the same C-terminal region of PTG. Mutagenesis of Asp-225 and Glu-228 to alanine completely blocked the interaction between PTG and these three enzymes, without affecting PP1 binding. Disruption of either PP1 or substrate binding to PTG blocked the stimulation of PP1 activity in vitro against phosphorylase, indicating that both binding sites may be important in PTG action. Transient overexpression of wild-type PTG in Chinese hamster ovary cells overexpressing the insulin receptor caused a 50-fold increase in glycogen levels. Expression of PTG mutants that do not bind PP1 had no effect on glycogen accumulation, indicating that PP1 targeting is essential for PTG function. Likewise, expression of the PTG mutants that do not bind PP1 substrates did not increase glycogen levels, indicating that PP1 targeting glycogen is not sufficient for the metabolic effects of PTG. These results cumulatively demonstrate that PTG serves as a molecular scaffold, allowing PP1 to recognize its substrates at the glycogen particle.

Overexpression of the glycogen targeting (G(M)) subunit of protein phosphatase-1

The G(M) glycogen-targeting subunit of protein phosphatase-1 (PP1) is believed to be involved in dephosphorylation of the enzymes of glycogen metabolism. To assess the roles of G(M) on glycogen metabolism, we created site-directed G(M) mutants and overexpressed them in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing human insulin receptor. Overexpressed G(M) recruited glycogen synthase as well as PP1 to the glycogen pellet, and upregulated basal glycogen synthase activity. Overexpressed G(M)-67A (Ser-67 replaced with alanine) exhibited decreased sensitivity to suppression of glycogen synthase activity by forskolin, while overexpression of G(M)-48A (Ser-48 replaced with alanine) preserved glycogen synthase activation in response to insulin. These observations indicate that in CHO cells overexpressing G(M); (1) G(M) translocates glycogen synthase to the glycogen pellet and affected basal glycogen synthase, (2) Ser-67 might be involved in the suppression of glycogen synthase activity by glycogenolytic agents, and (3) Ser-48 might not commit to activation of glycogen synthase by insulin.

Spatial Compartmentalization in the Regulation of Glucose Metabolism by Insulin

Despite intense investigation, major gaps remain in our understanding of the cellular mechanisms that underlie the actions of insulin, as well as the regulation of the enzymes and transport proteins crucial to the orderly control of glucose metabolism. In recent years, the compartmentalization of signaling molecules and metabolic enzymes has been suggested to play an important role in ensuring metabolic balance. We will discuss examples of recent findings, suggesting that spatial compartmentalization and protein translocation might be the keys to understanding the specificity of insulin in the regulation of glucose metabolism.