Nr2e1 Deficiency Augments Palmitate-Induced Oxidative Stress in Beta Cells

Lack of Nr2e1 expression in hepatocytes impaired cell survival and aggravated palmitate-induced oxidative stress

PURPOSE

Nuclear receptor subfamily 2 group E member 1 (Nr2e1) has been regarded as an essential regulator in neural stem cells. However, its function is still not clear in hepatocytes. This study aimed to clarify the effects of Nr2e1-deficiency in hepatocytes in lipotoxic conditions.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Nr2e1-knockdown AML12 ​cells were generated by lentiviral vector transfection. The influences of Nr2e1-deficiency on hepatocyte survival were determined by cell cycle progression and cell apoptosis rate using flow cytometry. Real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot were used to examine the genes and protein expression related to apoptosis, lipid metabolism, and oxidative stress. Meanwhile, RNA sequencing was adopted in liver samples from Nr2e1-knockout (Nr2e1-KO) mice.

RESULTS

Nr2e1 expression was observed with a significant decrease in AML12 ​cells after palmitic acid-stimulation. Knockdown of Nr2e1 in AML12 ​cells resulted in increased sensitivity to lipotoxicity, evidenced by a partial G0/G1 cell-cycle arrest and higher rates of cell apoptosis. Moreover, Nr2e1-knockdown AML12 ​cells presented increased gene expressions relative to lipid synthesis but decreased levels of β-oxidation related genes. Lack of Nr2e1 augmented palmitate-induced oxidative stress in hepatocytes. In vivo, differential genes in Nr2e1-KO mice liver were enriched in pathways associated with liver regeneration and cell proliferation.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicated that hepatocytes lacking Nr2e1 were more susceptible to lipotoxic-mediated damage. Nr2e1 may serve as a potential target for the development of novel therapies for lipotoxicity-induced liver injury.

NEUROD1 reinforces endocrine cell fate acquisition in pancreatic development

NEUROD1 is a transcription factor that helps maintain a mature phenotype of pancreatic β cells. Disruption of Neurod1 during pancreatic development causes severe neonatal diabetes; however, the exact role of NEUROD1 in the differentiation programs of endocrine cells is unknown. Here, we report a crucial role of the NEUROD1 regulatory network in endocrine lineage commitment and differentiation. Mechanistically, transcriptome and chromatin landscape analyses demonstrate that Neurod1 inactivation triggers a downregulation of endocrine differentiation transcription factors and upregulation of non-endocrine genes within the Neurod1-deficient endocrine cell population, disturbing endocrine identity acquisition. Neurod1 deficiency altered the H3K27me3 histone modification pattern in promoter regions of differentially expressed genes, which resulted in gene regulatory network changes in the differentiation pathway of endocrine cells, compromising endocrine cell potential, differentiation, and functional properties.

Influence of circulating nesfatin-1, GSH and SOD on insulin secretion in the development of T2DM

Aims

To evaluate the correlation of nesfatin-1, GSH and SOD levels with β-cell insulin secretion and their influence on insulin secretion in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Materials and methods

75 patients with T2DM, 67 with prediabetes and 37 heathy participants were recruited in this study. Serum levels of nesfatin-1, GSH and SOD were quantified and statistically analyzed.

Results

The levels of nesfatin-1, GSH and SOD in T2DM were significantly decreased (P < 0.001) compared to either in prediabetes or in healthy control, and significant reduction of these biomarkers was also observed in prediabetes when compared to the control (P < 0.001). Circulating nesfatin-1, GSH and SOD were not only strongly correlated with β-cell insulin secretion, but also exerted remarkable influence on the secretion.

Conclusion

Serum nesfatin-1, GSH and SOD are important factors involving insulin secretion in the development of T2DM, which may help provide new ideas for forthcoming investigations on the roles of these factors in pathogenesis of T2DM, as well as for active prediction and prevention of prediabetes before it develops into overt T2DM.

Sigma‑1 receptor overexpression promotes proliferation and ameliorates cell apoptosis in β‑cells

Sigma‑1 receptor (Sig‑1R) is a class of orphan receptors, the potential role of which in pancreatic islet cells remains poorly understood. The present study aimed to investigate the role of Sig‑1R in islet β‑cell proliferation and examine the effects of Sig‑1R on islet β‑cell injury under lipotoxic conditions. Sig‑1R‑overexpressing MIN6 cells were generated by lentiviral vector transfection. The effect of Sig‑1R overexpression on cell proliferation detected by EdU staining, cell cycle progression by propidium iodide (PI), apoptosis by Annexin V‑APC/PI, mitochondrial membrane potential by Mitolite Red and cytoplasmic Ca2+ levelsby Fura‑2/AM in islet β‑cells were measured by flow cytometry. Western blot analysis was used to measure protein expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers glucose‑regulated protein 78 and C/EBP homologous protein, mitochondrial apoptotic proteins Bcl‑2‑associated X and Bcl‑2 and cytochrome c. In addition, ATP levels and insulin secretion were separately measured using ATP Assay and mouse insulin ELISA. Mitochondria‑associated ER membrane (MAM) structures in MIN6 cells were then detected using transmission electron microscopy. Protein disulfide isomerase expression and possible colocalization between inositol 1,4,5‑trisphosphate receptor and voltage‑dependent anion channel 1 were examined using immunofluorescence. Sig‑1R overexpression was found to promote β‑cell proliferation by accelerating cell cycle progression. Furthermore, Sig‑1R overexpression ameliorated the apoptosis rate whilst impairing insulin secretion induced by palmitic acid by relieving ER stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in MIN6 cells. Sig‑1R overexpression also promoted Ca2+ transport between mitochondria and ER by increasing the quantity of ER adjacent to mitochondria in the 50‑nm range. It was concluded that Sig‑1R overexpression conferred protective effects on β‑cells against lipotoxicity as a result of the promotion of cell proliferation and inhibition of ER stress and oxidative stress, by regulating the structure of MAM.

Genetic variation of macronutrient tolerance in Drosophila melanogaster

Carbohydrates, proteins and lipids are essential nutrients to all animals; however, closely related species, populations, and individuals can display dramatic variation in diet. Here we explore the variation in macronutrient tolerance in Drosophila melanogaster using the Drosophila genetic reference panel, a collection of ~200 strains derived from a single natural population. Our study demonstrates that D. melanogaster, often considered a "dietary generalist", displays marked genetic variation in survival on different diets, notably on high-sugar diet. Our genetic analysis and functional validation identify several regulators of macronutrient tolerance, including CG10960/GLUT8, Pkn and Eip75B. We also demonstrate a role for the JNK pathway in sugar tolerance and de novo lipogenesis. Finally, we report a role for tailless, a conserved orphan nuclear hormone receptor, in regulating sugar metabolism via insulin-like peptide secretion and sugar-responsive CCHamide-2 expression. Our study provides support for the use of nutrigenomics in the development of personalized nutrition.

TLX, an Orphan Nuclear Receptor With Emerging Roles in Physiology and Disease

TLX (NR2E1), an orphan member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is a transcription factor that has been described to be generally repressive in nature. It has been implicated in several aspects of physiology and disease. TLX is best known for its ability to regulate the proliferation of neural stem cells and retinal progenitor cells. Dysregulation, overexpression, or loss of TLX expression has been characterized in numerous studies focused on a diverse range of pathological conditions, including abnormal brain development, psychiatric disorders, retinopathies, metabolic disease, and malignant neoplasm. Despite the lack of an identified endogenous ligand, several studies have described putative synthetic and natural TLX ligands, suggesting that this receptor may serve as a therapeutic target. Therefore, this article aims to briefly review what is known about TLX structure and function in normal physiology, and provide an overview of TLX in regard to pathological conditions. Particular emphasis is placed on TLX and cancer, and the potential utility of this receptor as a therapeutic target.

Sigma receptor knockdown augments dysfunction and apoptosis of beta cells induced by palmitate

Sigma-1 receptor (Sig-1R) is located in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and clustered on the mitochondria related endoplasmic membranes, which are involved in the regulation of nervous system disease. Here, we designed Sig-1R silence MIN6 cells and studied the influence of Sig-1R silence on beta cells. We showed Sig-1R inactivation in MIN6 cells could not only decrease cell proliferation but also inhibit cell cycle, and this inhibitory effect on cell cycle might be achieved by regulating the FoxM1/Plk1/Cenpa pathway. Moreover, Sig-1R deficiency increased MIN6 cells sensitivity to lipotoxicity, exaggerated palmitate (PA)-induced apoptosis, and impaired insulin secretion. On the other hand, ER chaperone GRP78 and ER proapoptotic molecules CHOP increased in Sig-1R knockdown MIN6 cells. The ATP level decreased and reactive oxygen species (ROS) increased in this kind of cells. Furthermore not only GRP78 and CHOP levels, but also ATP and ROS levels changed more in Sig-1R silence cells after cultured with PA. Therefore, Sig-1R deficiency exaggerated PA induced beta cells apoptosis by aggravating ER stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Together, our study showed that Sig-1R might influence the proliferation, apoptosis, and function of beta cells.

Computer-Aided Discovery of Small Molecule Inhibitors of Transcriptional Activity of TLX (NR2E1) Nuclear Receptor

Orphan nuclear receptor TLX (NR2E1) plays a critical role in the regulation of neural stem cells (NSC) as well as in the development of NSC-derived brain tumors. In the last years, new data have emerged implicating TLX in prostate and breast cancer. Therefore, inhibitors of TLX transcriptional activity may have a significant impact on the treatment of several critical malignancies. However, the TLX protein possesses a non-canonical ligand-binding domain (LBD), which lacks a ligand-binding pocket (conventionally targeted in case of nuclear receptors) that complicates the development of small molecule inhibitors of TLX. Herein, we utilized a rational structure-based design approach to identify small molecules targeting the Atro-box binding site of human TLX LBD. As a result of virtual screening of ~7 million molecular structures, 97 compounds were identified and evaluated in the TLX-responsive luciferase reporter assay. Among those, three chemicals demonstrated 40–50% inhibition of luciferase-detected transcriptional activity of the TLX orphan nuclear receptor at a dose of 35 µM. The identified compounds represent the first class of small molecule inhibitors of TLX transcriptional activity identified via methods of computer-aided drug discovery.

Oxidative Stress in Pancreatic Beta Cell Regeneration

Pancreatic β cell neogenesis and proliferation during the neonatal period are critical for the generation of sufficient pancreatic β cell mass/reserve and have a profound impact on long-term protection against type 2 diabetes (T2D). Oxidative stress plays an important role in β cell neogenesis, proliferation, and survival under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Pancreatic β cells are extremely susceptible to oxidative stress due to a high endogenous production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a low expression of antioxidative enzymes. In this review, we summarize studies describing the critical roles and the mechanisms of how oxidative stress impacts β cell neogenesis and proliferation. In addition, the effects of antioxidant supplements on reduction of oxidative stress and increase of β cell proliferation are discussed. Exploring the roles and the potential therapeutic effects of antioxidants in the process of β cell regeneration would provide novel perspectives to preserve and/or expand pancreatic β cell mass for the treatment of T2D.

The impairment of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells caused by prolonged glucotoxicity and lipotoxicity is associated with elevated adaptive antioxidant response

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a progressive disease characterized by sustained hyperglycemia and is frequently accompanied by hyperlipidemia. Deterioration of β-cell function in T2D patients may be caused, in part, by long-term exposure to high concentrations of glucose and/or lipids. We developed systems to study how chronic glucotoxicity and lipotoxicity might be linked to the impairment of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) machinery in pancreatic β-cells. INS-1 (832/13) were exposed to glucose and/or palmitate for up to 10 weeks. Chronic high glucose and/or palmitate exposure resulted in impaired GSIS accompanied by a dramatic increase in oxidative stress, as determined by basal intracellular peroxide levels. In addition, the GSIS-associated reactive oxygen species (ROS) signals, assessed as glucose-stimulated peroxide accumulation positively correlated with GSIS in glucose- and/or palmitate-exposed cells, as well as glucose-stimulated reductions in GSH/GSSG ratios. Furthermore, the impairment of GSIS caused by chronic high glucose and/or palmitate exposures were attributed to the induction of adaptive antioxidant response and mitochondrial uncoupling, which negatively regulates glucose-derived ROS generation. Taken together, persistent glucotoxicity- and/or lipotoxicity-mediated oxidative stress and subsequent adaptive antioxidant response impair glucose-derived ROS signaling and GSIS in pancreatic β-cells.