Studies into the mechanism whereby insulin activates pyruvate dehydrogenase complex in adipose tissue

D-chiro-inositol glycans in insulin signaling and insulin resistance

Classical actions of insulin involve increased glucose uptake from the bloodstream and its metabolism in peripheral tissues, the most important and relevant effects for human health. However, nonoxidative and oxidative glucose disposal by activation of glycogen synthase (GS) and mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) remain incompletely explained by current models for insulin action. Since the discovery of insulin receptor Tyr kinase activity about 25 years ago, the dominant paradigm for intracellular signaling by insulin invokes protein phosphorylation downstream of the receptor and its primary Tyr phosphorylated substrates-the insulin receptor substrate family of proteins. This scheme accounts for most, but not all, intracellular actions of insulin. Essentially forgotten is the previous literature and continuing work on second messengers generated in cells in response to insulin. Treatment and even prevention of diabetes and metabolic syndrome will benefit from a more complete elucidation of cellular-signaling events activated by insulin, to include the actions of second messengers such as glycan molecules that contain D-chiro-inositol (DCI). The metabolism of DCI is associated with insulin sensitivity and resistance, supporting the concept that second messengers have a role in responses to and resistance to insulin.

Regulation of mitochondrial dehydrogenases by calcium ions

Studies in Bristol in the 1960s and 1970s, led to the recognition that four mitochondrial dehydrogenases are activated by calcium ions. These are FAD-glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase, pyruvate dehydrogenase, NAD-isocitrate dehydrogenase and oxoglutarate dehydrogenase. FAD-glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase is located on the outer surface of the inner mitochondrial membrane and is influenced by changes in cytoplasmic calcium ion concentration. The other three enzymes are located within mitochondria and are regulated by changes in mitochondrial matrix calcium ion concentration. These and subsequent studies on purified enzymes, mitochondria and intact cell preparations have led to the widely accepted view that the activation of these enzymes is important in the stimulation of the respiratory chain and hence ATP supply under conditions of increased ATP demand in many stimulated mammalian cells. The effects of calcium ions on FAD-isocitrate dehydrogenase involve binding to an EF-hand binding motif within this enzyme but the binding sites involved in the effects of calcium ions on the three intramitochondrial dehydrogenases remain to be fully established. It is also emphasised in this article that these three dehydrogenases appear only to be regulated by calcium ions in vertebrates and that this raises some interesting and potentially important developmental issues.

Isolation, structure, synthesis, and bioactivity of a novel putative insulin mediator. A galactosamine chiro-inositol pseudo-disaccharide Mn2+ chelate with insulin-like activity

We isolated from beef liver a putative insulin mediator termed INS-2, 1. Its structure was determined to be a novel inositol glycan pseudo-disaccharide Mn(2+) chelate containing D-chiro-inositol 2a (as pinitol) and galactosamine. Purification methods were scaled up from those previously reported to isolate an inositol glycan with similar composition from rat liver.(1) Structure of the beef liver glycan was determined by degradative chemistry and 2D NMR spectroscopy and confirmed by chemical synthesis. Its structure is 4-O-(2-amino-2-deoxy-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-3-O-methyl-D-chiro-inositol 1 (INS-2, Figure 1). Its role as an insulin mimetic was demonstrated by its action in vivo to decrease elevated blood glucose injected to low-dose streptozotocin diabetic rats in a stereospecific and dose-dependent manner. The pseudo-disaccharide also stimulated [(14)C]glucose incorporation into [(14)C]glycogen in a dose-dependent manner in H4IIE hepatoma cells in the presence of insulin, thus enhancing insulin action. Only when chelated to Mn(2+) did it activate pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. To our knowledge, this is the first example of a beta-1,4-linked inositol glycan consisting of D-chiro-inositol and galactosamine isolated from animal tissues with insulin mimetic actions.

G(q/11) is involved in insulin-stimulated inositol phosphoglycan putative mediator generation in rat liver membranes: co-localization of G(q/11) with the insulin receptor in membrane vesicles

Insulin signaling to generate inositol phosphoglycans (IPGs) was demonstrated to occur via the participation of the heterotrimeric G-proteins G(q/11). IPGs were measured as two specific inositol markers, myo-inositol and chiro-inositol after strong acid hydrolysis. Insulin and Pasteurella multocida toxin (PMT) generated both myo-inositol and chiro-inositol IPGs in a dose-dependent manner. PMT has been shown to activate G(q) specifically. Insulin action was abrogated by pre-treatment with anti G(q/11) antibody. Western blotting demonstrated the enrichment of both insulin receptor beta subunit and G(q/11) in the liver membrane vesicles. Vesicles also contained clathrin, caveolin PLC beta 1 and PLC Delta. Immunogold staining revealed the co-localization of both insulin receptor beta subunit and G(q/11) in an approximate stochiometric ratio of 1:3. No vesicles were detected with either component alone. The present and considerable published data provide strong evidence for insulin signaling both via a tyrosine kinase cascade mechanism and via heterotrimeric G-protein interactions.

Distinct regulatory properties of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase and phosphatase isoforms

The mammalian pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) plays central and strategic roles in the control of the use of glucose-linked substrates as sources of oxidative energy or as precursors in the biosynthesis of fatty acids. The activity of this mitochondrial complex is regulated by the continuous operation of competing pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK) and pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase (PDP) reactions. The resulting interconversion cycle determines the fraction of active (nonphosphorylated) pyruvate dehydrogenase (E1) component. Tissue-specific and metabolic state-specific control is achieved by the selective expression and distinct regulatory properties of at least four PDK isozymes and two PDP isozymes. The PDK isoforms are members of a family of serine kinases that are not structurally related to cytoplasmic Ser/Thr/Tyr kinases. The catalytic subunits of the PDP isoforms are Mg2+-dependent members of the phosphatase 2C family that has binuclear metal-binding sites within the active site. The dihydrolipoyl acetyltransferase (E2) and the dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase-binding protein (E3BP) are multidomain proteins that form the oligomeric core of the complex. One or more of their three lipoyl domains (two in E2) selectively bind each PDK and PDP1. These adaptive interactions predominantly influence the catalytic efficiencies and effector control of these regulatory enzymes. When fatty acids are the preferred source of acetyl-CoA and NADH, feedback inactivation of PDC is accomplished by the activity of certain kinase isoforms being stimulated upon preferentially binding a lipoyl domain containing a reductively acetylated lipoyl group. PDC activity is increased in Ca2+-sensitive tissues by elevating PDP1 activity via the Ca2+-dependent binding of PDP1 to a lipoyl domain of E2. During starvation, the irrecoverable loss of glucose carbons is restricted by minimizing PDC activity due to high kinase activity that results from the overexpression of specific kinase isoforms. Overexpression of the same PDK isoforms deleteriously hinders glucose consumption in unregulated diabetes.

Activation and mitochondrial translocation of protein kinase Cdelta are necessary for insulin stimulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex activity in muscle and liver cells

In L6 skeletal muscle cells and immortalized hepatocytes, insulin induced a 2-fold increase in the activity of the pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) complex. This effect was almost completely blocked by the protein kinase C (PKC) delta inhibitor Rottlerin and by PKCdelta antisense oligonucleotides. At variance, overexpression of wild-type PKCdelta or of an active PKCdelta mutant induced PDH complex activity in both L6 and liver cells. Insulin stimulation of the activity of the PDH complex was accompanied by a 2.5-fold increase in PDH phosphatases 1 and 2 (PDP1/2) activity with no change in the activity of PDH kinase. PKCdelta antisense blocked insulin activation of PDP1/2, the same as with PDH. In insulin-exposed cells, PDP1/2 activation was paralleled by activation and mitochondrial translocation of PKCdelta, as revealed by cell subfractionation and confocal microscopy studies. The mitochondrial translocation of PKCdelta, like its activation, was prevented by Rottlerin. In extracts from insulin-stimulated cells, PKCdelta co-precipitated with PDP1/2. PKCdelta also bound to PDP1/2 in overlay blots, suggesting that direct PKCdelta-PDP interaction may occur in vivo as well. In intact cells, insulin exposure determined PDP1/2 phosphorylation, which was specifically prevented by PKCdelta antisense. PKCdelta also phosphorylated PDP in vitro, followed by PDP1/2 activation. Thus, in muscle and liver cells, insulin causes activation and mitochondrial translocation of PKCdelta, accompanied by PDP phosphorylation and activation. These events are necessary for insulin activation of the PDH complex in these cells.

Effects of metabolic stimulation on cardiac allograft recovery

BACKGROUND

We previously demonstrated that continuous perfusion of cardiac allografts during hypothermic storage with donor blood harvested at the time of organ retrieval improves myocardial recovery after transplantation. However, myocardial metabolism and function remain depressed compared to base line values. This study evaluated the use of a continuous infusion of donor blood enhanced with insulin to augment aerobic myocardial metabolism during and after hypothermic storage.

METHODS

Yorkshire pigs (45 to 50 kg) were used to perform 14 orthotopic cardiac transplants using either continuous perfusion with donor blood (blood group, n = 7) or perfusion with donor blood enhanced with 10 IU/L insulin (insulin group, n = 7). After heparinization, hypothermic (4 degrees C) cardioplegic arrest, and donor heart extraction, donor blood (2,844 +/- 210 mL) was harvested in both groups and perfused at room temperature (20 degrees C) at a pressure of 60 mm Hg for 3 hours. Blood cardioplegia was delivered after each anastomosis in both groups and arterial and coronary sinus blood samples were obtained to examine myocardial metabolism. A Millar micromanometer was used to measure left ventricular developed pressure and the rate-pressure product at varying preloads.

RESULTS

There were no differences in either myocardial lactate or acid release between the two groups. Hearts in the insulin group displayed higher myocardial oxygen extraction than those in the blood group. The recovery of developed pressure was higher in the insulin group compared to the blood group (91% +/- 19% vs 73% +/- 2%, p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

In this model, continuous perfusion of cardiac allografts with donor blood and insulin preserves myocardial metabolism during hypothermic storage and improves metabolic and functional recovery after orthotopic cardiac transplantation.

Phosphoinositol glycan derived mediators and insulin resistance. Prospects for diagnosis and therapy

While much work remains, the evidence has become strong that IPG generation following insulin action is a significant signaling mechanism. A considerable body of data has established IPG release by insulin and other growth factors from cell membranes, cells and in human blood and muscle biopsies in vivo. Two separate IPG species containing D-chiro-inositol and myo-inositol have been separated by ion exchange. These IPGs have separate actions in vitro and are both active as insulin surrogates in vivo. A deficiency of the chiro-inositol system has been demonstrated in urine and tissues in humans and directly related to insulin resistance. Accordingly, D-chiro-inositol was administered to STZ diabetic rats and rhesus monkeys and shown to decrease hyperglycemia and enhance glucose disposal. Two trials in humans with impaired glucose tolerance and women with PCOS have now also proven successful. Thus, the pathophysiology in the chiro-inositol system related to insulin resistance and its reversal by chiro-inositol administration, in addition to the basic work, argues strongly for the physiological significance of this novel signaling system in the control of glucose metabolism.

A model phosphatase 2C --> phosphatase 1 activation cascade via dual control of inhibitor-1 (INH-1) and DARPP-32 dephosphorylation by two inositol glycan putative insulin mediators from beef liver

Two inositol phosphoglycans (IPG) isolated from beef liver and designated as putative insulin mediators were demonstrated to reciprocally enhance the dephosphorylation of inhibitor-1 (INH-1) and DARPP-32, thus directly activating phosphatase 2C and disinhibiting phosphatase 1 in a potential protein phosphatase 2C --> phosphatase 1 cascade mechanism. One IPG termed pH 2.0, containing Dchiro-inositol and galactosamine, stimulated the dephosphorylation of INH-1 and DARPP-32 in a dose-dependent manner in the low micromolar range. A second, termed pH 1.3, containing myo-inositol glucosamine and mannose acted reciprocally to inhibit the cAMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation of INH-1 and DARPP-32 in a dose-dependent manner in the low micromolar range. These model experiments are discussed in terms of the observed dephosphorylation of INH-1 with insulin action documented in the literature and the activation of both phosphatase 1 and 2C described in intact cells and in vivo with insulin action.

Multiple signaling pathways involved in the metabolic effects of insulin

The metabolic effects of insulin are initiated by the binding of insulin to the extracellular domain of the insulin receptor within the plasma membrane of muscle and adipose and liver cells. The subsequent activation of the intracellular tyrosine protein kinase activity of the receptor leads to autophosphorylation of the receptor as well as phosphorylation of a number of intracellular proteins. This gives rise to the activation of Ras and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and hence to the activation of a number of serine/threanine protein kinases. Many of these kinases appear to be arranged in cascades, including a cascade that results in the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and another that may result in the activation of protein kinase B, leading to the inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3 and the activation of the 70 kiloDalton ribosomal S6 protein kinase (p70 S6 kinase). We have explored the role of these early events in the the stimulation of glycogen, fatty acid, and protein synthesis by insulin in rat epididymal fat cells. Comparisons have been made between the metabolic effects of insulin and those of epidermal growth factor, since these 2 agents have contrasting effects on p70 S6 kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase. The effects of wortmannin (which inhibits phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase), and rapamycin (which blocks the activation of p70 S6 kinase) have also been studied. These and other studies indicate that the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade is probably not important in the acute metabolic effects of insulin, but may have a role in the regulation of gene transcription and hence the more long-term effects of insulin. The short-term metabolic effects of insulin appear to involve at least 3 distinct signaling pathways: (1) those leading to increases in glucose transport and the activation of glycogen synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, eukaryotic initiation factor-2B, and phosphodiesterase, which may involve phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and protein kinase B; (2) those leading to some of the effects of insulin on protein synthesis (formation of eukaryotic initiation factor-4F complex, S6 phosphorylation, and activation of eukaryotic elongation factor-2), which may involve phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and p70 S6 kinase; and finally, (3) that leading to the activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase, which is unique in apparently not requiring activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase.

Biosynthesis of the endogenous cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) antagonist, prostaglandylinositol cyclic phosphate (cyclic PIP), from prostaglandin E and activated inositol polyphosphate in rat liver plasma membranes

The endogenous cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) antagonist, cyclic PIP, has been identified as a prostaglandylinositol cyclic phosphate. It inhibits protein kinase A 100% and activates protein serine phosphatase about sevenfold. It is biosynthesized by an enzyme of the plasma membrane when the assay mixture contains adenosine triphosphate (ATP), Mg2+, prostaglandin E and a novel inositol polyphosphate, which cannot be substituted by commercially available inositol phosphates. This novel inositol polyphosphate is a very labile compound. On anion exchange chromatography it elutes in the range of ATP, which may indicate the presence of three phosphate groups. It adsorbs on charcoal, which suggests the presence of a hydrophobic component, possibly a guanosine. Pyrophosphates obtained from inositol 1,4- and inositol 2,4-bisphosphate are accepted by cyclic PIP synthetase for the synthesis of cyclic PIP. The biosynthesis is characterized by enzyme kinetic parameters like dependence on time, enzyme and substrate concentration. The pH optimum of the enzyme is in the range 7.5-8. The enzyme functions optimally with prostaglandin E and poorly with prostaglandin A as the substrate. The presence of fluoride in the assay causes a three- to fourfold increase in cyclic PIP synthesis, which may be correlated with activation via G proteins. These data support previous reports on the chemical structure and action of cyclic PIP. With respect to the possible isomers of cyclic PIP, these indicate that it is most likely the C4-hydroxyl group of the inositol which binds the C15-hydroxyl group of prostaglandin E. A model of hormone-stimulated synthesis of cyclic PIP is proposed: phospholipase A2 and phospholipase C, activated by G proteins upon alpha-adrenergic stimulation, liberate either unsaturated fatty acids or inositol phosphates, which are transformed to prostaglandins and to novel inositol polyphosphate with an energy-rich bond. The cyclic PIP synthetase combines these two substrates to cyclic PIP.

Infusion of pH 2.0 D-chiro-inositol glycan insulin putative mediator normalizes plasma glucose in streptozotocin diabetic rats at a dose equivalent to insulin without inducing hypoglycaemia

We compared the effects of infusing a chemically defined chiro-inositol glycan putative insulin mediator with an equivalent dose of insulin in low-dose (45 mg/kg) streptozotocin diabetic rats. Insulin decreased plasma glucose levels from 17.32 +/- 0.17 to 3.96 +/- 0.064 mmol/l (p < 0.0002) in 120 min, a decrease of 77.13%, while the putative mediator promoted a decrease in plasma glucose from 14.85 +/- 0.084 to 7.22 +/- 0.13 mmol/l (p < 0.007) in 60 min. The putative mediator maintained euglycaemia over the ensuing 60 min with a plasma glucose level of 7.01 +/- 0.10 mmol/l at 120 min. Thus, insulin further reduced the plasma glucose from euglycaemia at 60 min to produce hypoglycaemia at 120 min. The lack of production of hypoglycaemia by the putative mediator can be explained by its inhibition of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion by the islet beta cells, thus providing a potential negative feedback regulatory mechanism; or by its selective action on muscle to increase glycogen synthesis. The significance of these results in terms of future directions in drug design is herein considered.

Role of the regulatory subunit of bovine pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase

Bovine pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase (PDP) is a Mg2+-dependent and Ca2+-stimulated heterodimer that is a member of the protein phosphatase 2C family and is localized to mitochondria. Insight into the function of the regulatory subunit of PDP (PDPr) has been gained. It decreases the sensitivity of the catalytic subunit of PDP (PDPc) to Mg2+. The apparent Km of PDPc for Mg2+ is increased about 5-fold, from about 0.35 mM to 1.6 mM. The polyamine spermine increases the sensitivity of PDP but not PDPc to Mg2+, apparently by interacting with PDPr. PDPc but not PDP can use the phosphopeptide RRAT(P)VA as a substrate. These observations are interpreted to indicate that PDPr blocks or distorts the active site of PDPc and that spermine produces a conformational change in PDPr that reverses its inhibitory effect. These findings suggest that PDPr may be involved in the insulin-induced activation of the mitochondrial PDP in adipose tissue, which is characterized by a decrease in its apparent Km for Mg2+.

The hormonal regulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex

The pyruvate dehydrogenase complex has a central role in the regulation of mammalian metabolism as it represents the point-of-no-return in the utilization of carbohydrate. This article summarizes our studies into how signalling systems initiated by hormones binding to cell surface receptors can reach the pyruvate dehydrogenase system which is located within the inner mitochondrial membrane. One class of hormones which activate pyruvate dehydrogenase are those that increase cytoplasmic Ca2+. A wide range of studies on isolated enzymes, separated mitochondria and intact cell preparations have shown that the activation is due to the stimulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase. Two other intramitochondrial dehydrogenases which regulate the citrate acid cycle are activated in parallel and this is an important means of balancing the supply of ATP to increasing cell demand. Insulin is also able to activate pyruvate dehydrogenase, but this is restricted to fat and other cells capable of lipogenesis. Insulin acts by stimulating pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase, but the activation does not involve alterations in Ca2+. The signalling pathway involved has not been established, but it appears to be quite distinct from those involved in many other actions of insulin.

Multiple signalling pathways involved in the stimulation of fatty acid and glycogen synthesis by insulin in rat epididymal fat cells

We have investigated the signalling pathways involved in the stimulation of glycogen and fatty acid synthesis by insulin in rat fat cells using wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and rapamycin, which blocks activation of p70 ribosomal S6 protein kinase (p70S6K). Insulin produced a decrease in the activity of glycogen synthase kinase-3 which is likely to be important in the observed stimulation of glycogen synthase. Both of these actions were found to be sensitive to inhibition by wortmannin. Activation of three processes is involved in the stimulation of fatty acid synthesis from glucose by insulin, namely glucose uptake, acetyl-CoA carboxylase and pyruvate dehydrogenase. Whereas wortmannin largely abolished the effects of insulin on glucose utilization and acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity, it was without effect on the stimulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase. Although epidermal growth factor stimulated mitogen-activated protein kinase to a greater extent than insulin, it was unable to mimic the effect of insulin on glycogen synthase, glycogen synthase kinase-3, glucose utilization, acetyl-CoA carboxylase or pyruvate dehydrogenase. Rapamycin also failed to have any appreciable effect on stimulation of these parameters by insulin, although it did block the effect of insulin on p70S6K. We conclude that the activity of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase is required for the effects of insulin on glycogen synthesis, glucose uptake and acetyl-Co-AN carboxylase, but is not involved in signalling to pyruvate dehydrogenase. Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase or p70S6K, however, does not appear to be sufficient to bring about the stimulation of fatty acid or glycogen synthesis. Altogether is seems likely that at least four distinct signalling pathways are involved in the effects of insulin on rat fat cells.

Starvation reduces pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphate phosphatase activity in rat kidney

Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) from rat kidney or pig heart previously inactivated by phosphorylation (PDHP) was activated in vitro by PDHP phosphatase from kidneys of starved or fed rats. Starvation for 48 h of the rats from which the PDC was prepared led to a decrease in the rate of activation of PDC at early time periods (< 2 min), particularly at submaximal concentrations of Mg2+. Using intact permeable kidney mitochondria incubated for 15 sec, it was found that starvation of rats more than doubled the Mg2+ concentration at which the half maximal increment of PDC activity (PDCa) was observed. Reduction of PDHP phosphatase activity due to starvation was also apparent when phosphatase was separated from PDC and recombined with PDC from the same or different animals. Intraperitoneal injection of insulin and glucose 1 h before sacrifice of starved rats prevented the reduction of PDHP phosphatase activity whether or not protein synthesis was inhibited. The effect of insulin in restoration of PDHP phosphatase activity of starved rats was not mimicked by 5-methylpyrazole 3-carboxylic acid, an inhibitor of lipolysis. When renal PDHP phosphatase was incubated with pig heart PDC in the presence of 10 mM Mg2+ and 0.1 mM Ca2+ the increment in PDCa, in 1 min was 30% of fully activated PDC activity (PDCt) observed after 15 min. Removal of divalent cations did not affect the increment in 1 min but prevented further increments. Conversely okadaic acid diminished 1 min increment but did not disturb PDCt. It is suggested that the different behaviour of renal PDC from fed and starved animals may partly be due to different divalent cation independent PDHP phosphatase activity.

Does mitogen-activated-protein kinase have a role in insulin action? The cases for and against

The discovery of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase family of protein kinases has sparked off an intensive effort to elucidate their role in the regulation of many cellular processes. These protein kinases were originally identified based on their rapid activation by insulin. In this review we concentrate on examining the evidence for and against a role for the MAP kinases Erk-1 and Erk-2 in mediating the effects of insulin. While there is good evidence in favour of a direct role for MAP kinase in the growth-promoting effects of insulin and the regulation of Glut-1 and c-fos expression, and AP-1 transcriptional complex activity, this is by no means conclusive. MAP kinase may also play a role in the control of mRNA translation by insulin. On the other hand, the evidence suggests that MAP kinase is not sufficient for the acute regulation of glucose transport (Glut-4 translocation), glycogen synthesis, acetyl-CoA carboxylase or pyruvate dehydrogenase activity. The findings suggest that insulin may utilise at least three distinct signalling pathways which do not involve MAP kinase.

Evidence for a role of protein kinase C in the activation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex by insulin in Zajdela hepatoma cells

The signal transduction pathway involved in the activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) by insulin is still unknown. In this study, we have examined the possible involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) in the process. In addressing this question, we examined (1) the insulin-like effects of the PKC activator 4 beta-phorbol 12 beta-myristate 13 alpha-acetate (PMA) on the PDH complex, (2) the effects of various PKC inhibitors on the PDH activation by insulin, and (3) the response of PKC-depleted cells to insulin. We used as an experimental model Zajdela hepatoma cultured (ZHC) cells, which have been demonstrated to be responsive to physiological doses of insulin. Half-maximal and maximal stimulations of the PDH complex by insulin were observed at 0.05 and 5 nmol/L, respectively. Stimulation of PDH activity by insulin (5 nmol/L) occurred within 5 minutes of incubation and was maximal (+70%) at 7.5 minutes. In the presence of PMA (162 nmol/L), enzyme activity increased within 30 seconds, was maximal (+90%) at 5 minutes, and was no longer detectable after 10 minutes. Total PDH activity was unchanged by insulin or PMA treatment. The effects of PMA and insulin on basal PDH activity were not additive. Moreover, various inhibitors of PKC--staurosporine, sphingosine, acridine orange--completely blocked the stimulation of PDH activity induced by insulin or PMA. A 17-hour treatment of ZHC cells with 500 nmol/L PMA efficiently downregulated PKC, as attested by the marked decrease in the enzyme activity and the loss of phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate binding to intact cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Molecular cloning and tissue distribution of PHAS-I, an intracellular target for insulin and growth factors

Although the actions of insulin and a number of growth factors that signal via protein-tyrosine kinase receptors are believed to involve increased phosphorylation of key intracellular proteins, relatively few of the downstream phosphoproteins have been identified. In this report we describe a cDNA encoding one of the most prominent insulin-stimulated phosphoproteins in rat adipocytes. The cDNA encodes a protein, designated PHAS-I, which has 117 amino acids and a M(r) of 12,400. When translated in vitro and subjected to SDS/PAGE, PHAS-I migrates anomalously, having an apparent M(r) of 21,000. The predicted amino acid composition is interesting in that approximately 45% of the PHAS-I protein is accounted for by only four amino acids--serine, threonine, proline, and glycine. The PHAS-I gene is expressed in a variety of tissues, although the highest levels of mRNA are present in fat and skeletal muscle, two of the most insulin-responsive tissues. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of PHAS-I differ from any that have been reported, and homology screening provided no clues concerning the function of the protein. However, in view of its tissue distribution and the fact that the protein is phosphorylated in response to insulin, we speculate that PHAS-I is important in insulin action.

Regulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase activity from pig kidney cortex

The activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) kinase in the purified PDH complex from pig kidney is sensitive to changes in ionic strength. The enzyme has optimum activity within a small range of ionic strength (0.03-0.05 M). An increase in ionic strength from 0.04 M to 0.2 M lowers the activity of PDH kinase by 32% and decreases the Km for ATP from 25 microM to 10 microM. At constant ionic strength (0.15 M) the enzyme has optimum activity over a broad pH range (7.2-8.0). The PDH kinase is stimulated 2.2-fold by 20 mM-K+, whereas Na+ even at high concentration (80 mM) has no effect on the enzyme activity. The stimulation of PDH kinase by K+ is not dependent on pH and ionic strength. PDH kinase is inhibited by HPO4(2-) in the presence of K+, whereas HPO4(2-) has no effect on the activity of this enzyme in the absence of K+. HPO4(2-) at concentrations of 2 and 10 mM inhibits PDH kinase by 28% and 55% respectively. The magnitude of this inhibition is not dependent on the ATP/ADP ratio. Inhibition by HPO4(2-) in the concentration range 0-10 mM is non-competitive with respect to ATP, and becomes mixed-type at concentrations over 10 mM. The Ki for HPO4(2-) is 10 mM. When HPO4(2-) is replaced by SO4(2-), the same effects on the activity of PDH kinase are observed. PDH kinase is also inhibited by Cl-. In the presence of 80 mM-Cl- the PDH kinase is inhibited by 40%. The inhibition by Cl- is not dependent on K+. In conclusion, we postulate that changes in phosphate concentrations may play a significant role in the regulation of PDH kinase activity in vivo.

Regulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase by insulin and polyamines within electropermeabilized fat-cells and isolated mitochondria

1. Regulation of the mammalian pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) complex by insulin and polyamines has been examined by using electropermeabilized rat epididymal fat-cells and isolated mitochondria. The complex could be regulated within the permeabilized cells not only by insulin, but also by certain low-M(r) species, including Ca2+ and the polyamine spermidine. 2. Both spermine and spermidine increased the level of active dephosphorylated PDH (PDHa) in isolated adipose-tissue mitochondria 2-3-fold, with half-maximal effects at 0.9 mM and 1.7 mM respectively. By contrast, PDH activity in rat heart mitochondria was essentially insensitive to the effects of these polyamines. 3. The effects on PDH activity of incubation of adipose-tissue mitochondria with spermine persisted through re-isolation and re-incubation of the mitochondria in the absence of the polyamine. 4. No evidence was found of any increase in the concentration of spermine associated with purified mitochondrial fractions prepared from insulin-treated tissue. 5. Overall, the data provide further evidence against a role for polyamines in the rapid stimulation of PDH by insulin, but suggest that polyamines may be important in mediating longer-term changes in the activity of the complex.

Insulin mediator stimulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatases

A two stage assay for detecting insulin mediator based upon its stimulation of soluble pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) phosphatase to activate soluble pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) has been developed. This coupled assay determines the activation of PDC by monitoring production of [14C]CO2 from [1-14C]pyruvic acid. In addition to being more sensitive than the rat liver mitoplast assay previously used, it allows for the separation and investigation of the effects of mediator on the PDH phosphatases individually. It has been previously shown that the insulin mediator stimulates the most abundant PDH phosphatase, the divalent cation dependent PDH phosphatase, by decreasing the phosphatase's metal requirement (1). A metal independent PDH phosphatase has been found in bovine heart mitochondria. This phosphatase is not immunoprecipitated by antiphosphatase 2A antibody, it is not inhibited by okadaic acid, and it is not stimulated by spermine. However, it is stimulated (more than threefold) by insulin mediator prepared from isolated rat liver membranes. It is inhibited by Mg-ATP, with half-maximal inhibition at 0.3 mM; however, this inhibition is overcome by the insulin mediator.

Effects of protein phosphatase inhibitors on the regulation of insulin-sensitive enzymes within rat epididymal fat-pads and cells

1. The effects of the protein phosphatase inhibitors okadaic acid and microcystin LR on the regulation by insulin of pyruvate dehydrogenase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase have been studied in rat epididymal fat-pads and isolated cells. These inhibitors both completely blocked the phosphatase activity (against phosphorylase a) present in extracts of epididymal fat-pads, with half-maximal effects in the nanomolar range. 2. Okadaic acid treatment of pads and cells lowered the activity of acetyl-CoA carboxylase assayed in tissue extracts, both before and after treatment of the extracts with the activator, citrate. Further, okadaic acid treatment abolished the 2-3-fold difference in activity observed between extracts from control and insulin-treated tissues, assayed without prior treatment with citrate. 3. Incubation of pads with [32P]Pi, sufficient to label the intracellular pool of ATP, demonstrated that okadaic acid increased the overall phosphorylation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase on a number of distinct sites, as judged by two-dimensional mapping of tryptic peptides. These included the 'I-peptide' [Brownsey & Denton (1982) Biochem. J. 202, 77-86], the phosphorylation of which may be associated with the stimulation of the activity of the enzyme by insulin, as well as inhibitory phosphorylation sites. 4. Incubation with 1 microM-okadaic acid had no effect on the basal level of active pyruvate dehydrogenase apparent after tissue extraction, but abolished the 2-3-fold increase in this parameter which was elicited by insulin in the absence of okadaic acid. However, okadaic acid treatment did not affect the persistent increase in active pyruvate dehydrogenase levels which was apparent in mitochondria subsequently isolated from insulin-treated pads and re-incubated with an oxidizable substrate. It is concluded that the effects of okadaic acid are exerted through changes in metabolite concentrations rather than some direct action on the signalling pathway whereby insulin stimulates pyruvate dehydrogenase. 5. Microcystin LR did not mimic the effects of okadaic acid on intact cells and pads described above.