Altered Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Proteome As the Basis of Disruption of Mitochondrial Function in Diabetic Mice

Potential molecular mechanism of exercise reversing insulin resistance and improving neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases are debilitating nervous system disorders attributed to various conditions such as body aging, gene mutations, genetic factors, and immune system disorders. Prominent neurodegenerative diseases include Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and multiple sclerosis. Insulin resistance refers to the inability of the peripheral and central tissues of the body to respond to insulin and effectively regulate blood sugar levels. Insulin resistance has been observed in various neurodegenerative diseases and has been suggested to induce the occurrence, development, and exacerbation of neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, an increasing number of studies have suggested that reversing insulin resistance may be a critical intervention for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Among the numerous measures available to improve insulin sensitivity, exercise is a widely accepted strategy due to its convenience, affordability, and significant impact on increasing insulin sensitivity. This review examines the association between neurodegenerative diseases and insulin resistance and highlights the molecular mechanisms by which exercise can reverse insulin resistance under these conditions. The focus was on regulating insulin resistance through exercise and providing practical ideas and suggestions for future research focused on exercise-induced insulin sensitivity in the context of neurodegenerative diseases.

Actovegin improves skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration and functional aerobic capacity in a type 1 diabetic male murine model

Insulin deficiency in type 1 diabetes (T1D) leads to an impairment of glucose metabolism and mitochondrial function. Actovegin is a hemodialysate of calf blood, which has been shown to enhance glucose uptake and cell metabolism in healthy human skeletal muscle. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of Actovegin on skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration and functional aerobic capacity in a T1D mouse model. Effects on the expression of mitochondrial proteins, body mass, and food and water consumption were also investigated. Streptozotocin-induced T1D male C57B1/6 mice (aged 3-4 months) were randomized to an Actovegin group and a control group. Every third day, the Actovegin and control groups were injected intraperitoneally with (0.1 mL) Actovegin and (0.1 mL) physiological salt solution, respectively. Oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) capacity of the vastus lateralis muscle was measured by high resolution respirometry in addition to the expression levels of the mitochondrial complexes as well as voltage-dependent anion channel. Functional aerobic capacity was measured using a rodent treadmill protocol. Body mass and food and water consumption were also measured. After 13 days, in comparison to the control group, the Actovegin group demonstrated a significantly higher skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiratory capacity in an ADP-restricted and ADP-stimulated environment. The Actovegin group displayed a significantly lesser decline in functional aerobic capacity and baseline body mass after 13 days. There were no significant differences in food or water consumption between groups. Actovegin could act as an effective agent for facilitating glucose metabolism and improving OXPHOS capacity and functional aerobic capacity in T1D. Further investigation is warranted to establish Actovegin's potential as an alternative therapeutic drug for T1D.

CBL/CAP Is Essential for Mitochondria Respiration Complex I Assembly and Bioenergetics Efficiency in Muscle Cells

CBL is rapidly phosphorylated upon insulin receptor activation. Mice whole body CBL depletion improved insulin sensitivity and glucose clearance; however, the precise mechanisms remain unknown. We depleted either CBL or its associated protein SORBS1/CAP independently in myocytes and assessed mitochondrial function and metabolism compared to control cells. CBL- and CAP-depleted cells showed increased mitochondrial mass with greater proton leak. Mitochondrial respiratory complex I activity and assembly into respirasomes were reduced. Proteome profiling revealed alterations in proteins involved in glycolysis and fatty acid degradation. Our findings demonstrate CBL/CAP pathway couples insulin signaling to efficient mitochondrial respiratory function and metabolism in muscle.

Discovery of Muscle-Tendon Progenitor Subpopulation in Human Myotendinous Junction at Single-Cell Resolution

The myotendinous junction (MTJ) is a complex and special anatomical area that connects muscles and tendons, and it is also the key to repairing tendons. Nevertheless, the anatomical structure and connection structure of MTJ, the cluster and distribution of cells, and which cells are involved in repairing the tissue are still unclear. Here, we analyzed the cell subtype distribution and function of human MTJ at single-cell level. We identified four main subtypes, including stem cell, muscle, tendon, and muscle-tendon progenitor cells (MTP). The MTP subpopulation, which remains the characteristics of stem cells and also expresses muscle and tendon marker genes simultaneously, may have the potential for bidirectional differentiation. We also found the muscle-tendon progenitor cells were distributed in the shape of a transparent goblet; muscle cells first connect to the MTP and then to the tendon. And after being transplanted in the MTJ injury model, MTP exhibited strong regenerative capability. Finally, we also demonstrated the importance of mTOR signaling for MTP maintenance by in vitro addition of rapamycin and in vivo validation using mTOR-ko mice. Our research conducted a comprehensive analysis of the heterogeneity of myotendinous junction, discovered a special cluster called MTP, provided new insights into the biological significance of myotendinous junction, and laid the foundation for future research on myotendinous junction regeneration and restoration.

The Effect of Glucagon on Protein Catabolism During Insulin Deficiency: Exchange of Amino Acids Across Skeletal Muscle and the Splanchnic Bed

Transient insulin deprivation with concurrent hyperglucagonemia is a catabolic state that can occur in type 1 diabetes. To evaluate glucagon's catabolic effect in the setting of its glucogenic effect, we measured the regional exchanges of amino acid metabolites (amino-metabolites) across muscle and splanchnic beds in 16 healthy humans during either somatostatin followed by glucagon or saline infusion alone. Despite a twofold or greater increase in the regional exchange of amino-metabolites by glucagon, whole-body kinetics and concentrations of amino acids (AA) remained stable. Glucagon increased the splanchnic uptake of not only gluconeogenic but also essential (EAA) AA while increasing their release from the muscle bed. Regional tracer-based kinetics and 3-methylhistidine release indicate that EAA release from muscle is likely caused by reduced protein synthesis rather than increased protein degradation. Furthermore, many metabolites known to affect insulin action and metabolism were altered by hyperglucagonemia including increase in branched-chain AA and keto acids of leucine and isoleucine in arterial plasma. Further, an increase in arterial concentrations of α-aminoadipic acid arising from increased conversion from lysine in the splanchnic bed was noted. These results demonstrate that hyperglucagonemia during hypoinsulinemia increases net muscle protein catabolism and substantially increases the exchange of amino metabolites across splanchnic and muscle beds.

Transcriptomic Regulation of Muscle Mitochondria and Calcium Signaling by Insulin/IGF-1 Receptors Depends on FoxO Transcription Factors

Insulin and IGF-1, acting through the insulin receptor (IR) and IGF-1 receptor (IGF1R), maintain muscle mass and mitochondrial function, at least part of which occurs via their action to regulate gene expression. Here, we show that while muscle-specific deletion of IR or IGF1R individually results in only modest changes in the muscle transcriptome, combined deletion of IR/IGF1R (MIGIRKO) altered > 3000 genes, including genes involved in mitochondrial dysfunction, fibrosis, cardiac hypertrophy, and pathways related to estrogen receptor, protein kinase A (PKA), and calcium signaling. Functionally, this was associated with decreased mitochondrial respiration and increased ROS production in MIGIRKO muscle. To determine the role of FoxOs in these changes, we performed RNA-Seq on mice with muscle-specific deletion of FoxO1/3/4 (M-FoxO TKO) or combined deletion of IR, IGF1R, and FoxO1/3/4 in a muscle quintuple knockout (M-QKO). This revealed that among IR/IGF1R regulated genes, >97% were FoxO-dependent, and their expression was normalized in M-FoxO TKO and M-QKO muscle. FoxO-dependent genes were related to oxidative phosphorylation, inflammatory signaling, and TCA cycle. Metabolomic analysis showed accumulation of TCA cycle metabolites in MIGIRKO, which was reversed in M-QKO muscle. Likewise, calcium signaling genes involved in PKA signaling and sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium homeostasis were markedly altered in MIGIRKO muscle but normalized in M-QKO. Thus, combined loss of insulin and IGF-1 action in muscle transcriptionally alters mitochondrial function and multiple regulatory and signaling pathways, and these changes are mediated by FoxO transcription factors.

Differences in protein expression, at the basal state and at 2 h of insulin infusion, in muscle biopsies from healthy Arab men with high or low insulin sensitivity measured by hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp

BACKGROUND

Skeletal muscle is the main site for insulin-dependent glucose disposal. The hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp (HIEC) is the gold standard for the assessment of insulin sensitivity (IS). We have previously shown that insulin sensitivity, measured by HIEC, varied widely among a group of 60 young healthy men with normoglycemia. The aim of this study was to correlate the proteomic profile of skeletal muscles to insulin sensitivity.

METHODS

Muscle biopsies from 16 subjects having the highest (M ≥ 13; n = 8, HIS) and lowest (M ¾ 6, n = 8, LIS) IS were obtained at baseline and during insulin infusion after stabilization of the blood glucose level and glucose infusion rate at the end of the HIEC. The samples were processed using a quantitative proteomic analysis approach.

RESULTS

At baseline, 924 proteins were identified in the HIS and LIS groups. Among the 924 proteins detected in both groups, three were suppressed and three were increased significantly in the LIS subjects compared with the HIS subjects. Following insulin infusion, 835 proteins were detected in both groups. Among the 835 proteins, two showed differential responsiveness to insulin; ATP5F1 protein was decreased, and MYLK2 was higher in the LIS group compared with that in the HIS group. Our data suggest that alteration in mitochondrial proteins and an increased number of proteins involved in fast-twitch fiber correlate to insulin sensitivity in healthy young Arab men.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest a change in a small number of differentially expressed proteins. A possible reason for this small change could be our study cohorts representing a homogeneous and healthy population. Additionally, we show differences in protein levels from skeletal muscle in low and high insulin sensitivity groups. Therefore, these differences may represent early events for the development of insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, and type 2 diabetes.

Ulk1, Not Ulk2, Is Required for Exercise Training-Induced Improvement of Insulin Response in Skeletal Muscle

Unc51 like autophagy activating kinase 1 (Ulk1), the primary autophagy regulator, has been linked to metabolic adaptation in skeletal muscle to exercise training. Here we compared the roles of Ulk1 and homologous Ulk2 in skeletal muscle insulin action following exercise training to gain more mechanistic insights. Inducible, skeletal muscle-specific Ulk1 knock-out (Ulk1-iMKO) mice and global Ulk2 knock-out (Ulk2^–/–) mice were subjected to voluntary wheel running for 6 weeks followed by assessment of exercise capacity, glucose tolerance, and insulin signaling in skeletal muscle after a bolus injection of insulin. Both Ulk1-iMKO and Ulk2^–/– mice had improved endurance exercise capacity post-exercise. Ulk1-iMKO did not improve glucose clearance during glucose tolerance test, while Ulk2^–/– had only marginal improvement. However, exercise training-induced improvement of insulin action in skeletal muscle, indicated by Akt-S473 phosphorylation, was only impaired in Ulk1-iMKO. These data suggest that Ulk1, but not Ulk2, is required for exercise training-induced improvement of insulin action in skeletal muscle, implicating crosstalk between catabolic and anabolic signaling as integral to metabolic adaptation to energetic stress.

Insulin and IGF-1 receptors regulate complex-I dependent mitochondrial bioenergetics and supercomplexes via FoxOs in muscle

Decreased skeletal muscle strength and mitochondrial dysfunction are characteristic of diabetes. Action of insulin and IGF-1 through insulin receptor (IR) and IGF-1 receptor (IGF1R) maintain muscle mass via suppression of FoxOs, but whether FoxO activation coordinates atrophy in concert with mitochondrial dysfunction is unknown. We show that mitochondrial respiration and complex-I activity were decreased in streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic muscle, but these defects were reversed following muscle-specific FoxO1/3/4 triple knockout in STZ-FoxO TKO. In the absence of systemic glucose or lipid abnormalities, muscle-specific IR knockout (M-IR-/-) or combined IR/IGF1R knockout (MIGIRKO) impaired mitochondrial respiration, decreased ATP production, and increased ROS. These mitochondrial abnormalities were not present in muscle-specific IR/IGF1R and FoxO1/3/4 quintuple knockout mice (M-QKO). Acute tamoxifen-inducible deletion of IR/IGF1R also decreased muscle pyruvate respiration, complex-I activity, and supercomplex assembly. Although autophagy was increased when IR/IGF1R were deleted in muscle, mitophagy was not increased. Mechanistically, RNA-seq revealed that complex-I core subunits were decreased in STZ-diabetic and MIGIRKO muscle, and these changes were not present with FoxO knockout in STZ-FoxO TKO and M-QKO. Thus, insulin-deficient diabetes or loss of insulin/IGF-1 action in muscle decreases complex-I driven mitochondrial respiration and supercomplex assembly, in part by FoxO-mediated repression of Complex-I subunit expression.

Untangling the genetic link between type 1 and type 2 diabetes using functional genomics

There is evidence pointing towards shared etiological features between type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) despite both phenotypes being considered genetically distinct. However, the existence of shared genetic features for T1D and T2D remains complex and poorly defined. To better understand the link between T1D and T2D, we employed an integrated functional genomics approach involving extensive chromatin interaction data (Hi-C) and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data to characterize the tissue-specific impacts of single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with T1D and T2D. We identified 195 pleiotropic genes that are modulated by tissue-specific spatial eQTLs associated with both T1D and T2D. The pleiotropic genes are enriched in inflammatory and metabolic pathways that include mitogen-activated protein kinase activity, pertussis toxin signaling, and the Parkinson's disease pathway. We identified 8 regulatory elements within the TCF7L2 locus that modulate transcript levels of genes involved in immune regulation as well as genes important in the etiology of T2D. Despite the observed gene and pathway overlaps, there was no significant genetic correlation between variant effects on T1D and T2D risk using European ancestral summary data. Collectively, our findings support the hypothesis that T1D and T2D specific genetic variants act through genetic regulatory mechanisms to alter the regulation of common genes, and genes that co-locate in biological pathways, to mediate pleiotropic effects on disease development. Crucially, a high risk genetic profile for T1D alters biological pathways that increase the risk of developing both T1D and T2D. The same is not true for genetic profiles that increase the risk of developing T2D. The conversion of information on genetic susceptibility to the protein pathways that are altered provides an important resource for repurposing or designing novel therapies for the management of diabetes.

Cardiac effects and clinical applications of MG53

Heart disease remains the leading cause of mortality globally, so further investigation is required to identify its underlying mechanisms and potential targets for treatment and prevention. Mitsugumin 53 (MG53), also known as TRIM72, is a TRIM family protein that was found to be involved in cell membrane repair and primarily found in striated muscle. Its role in skeletal muscle regeneration and myogenesis has been well documented. However, accumulating evidence suggests that MG53 has a potentially protective role in heart tissue, including in ischemia/reperfusion injury of the heart, cardiomyocyte membrane injury repair, and atrial fibrosis. This review summarizes the regulatory role of MG53 in cardiac tissues, current debates regarding MG53 in diabetes and diabetic cardiomyopathy, as well as highlights potential clinical applications of MG53 in treating cardiac pathologies.

Brain functions and cognition on transient insulin deprivation in type 1 diabetes

BACKGROUND

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a risk factor for dementia and structural brain changes. It remains to be determined whether transient insulin deprivation that frequently occurs in insulin-treated individuals with T1D alters brain function.

METHODS

We therefore performed functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and neuropsychological testing at baseline and following 5.4 ± 0.6 hours of insulin deprivation in 14 individuals with T1D and compared results with those from 14 age-, sex-, and BMI-matched nondiabetic (ND) participants with no interventions.

RESULTS

Insulin deprivation in T1D increased blood glucose, and β-hydroxybutyrate, while reducing bicarbonate levels. Participants with T1D showed lower baseline brain N-acetyl aspartate and myo-inositol levels but higher cortical fractional anisotropy, suggesting unhealthy neurons and brain microstructure. Although cognitive functions did not differ between participants with T1D and ND participants at baseline, significant changes in fine motor speed as well as attention and short-term memory occurred following insulin deprivation in participants with T1D. Insulin deprivation also reduced brain adenosine triphosphate levels and altered the phosphocreatine/adenosine triphosphate ratio. Baseline differences in functional connectivity in brain regions between participants with T1D and ND participants were noted, and on insulin deprivation further alterations in functional connectivity between regions, especially cortical and hippocampus-caudate regions, were observed. These alterations in functional connectivity correlated to brain metabolites and to changes in cognition.

CONCLUSION

Transient insulin deprivation therefore caused alterations in executive aspects of cognitive function concurrent with functional connectivity between memory regions and the sensory cortex. These findings have important clinical implications, as many patients with T1D inadvertently have periods of transient insulin deprivation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03392441.

FUNDING

Clinical and Translational Science Award (UL1 TR002377) from the National Center for Advancing Translational Science; NIH grants (R21 AG60139 and R01 AG62859); the Mayo Foundation.

The effects of voluntary complex and regular wheel running exercises on the levels of 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase, semaphorin 3B, H2O2, and apoptosis in the hippocampus of diabetic rats

PURPOSE

One of the most frequent complications associated with diabetes mellitus is apoptosis within the brain which can lead to cognitive disorders. Exercise is considered the best non-pharmacological approach to reduce the severity and extent of cell death through poorly-understood mechanisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of voluntary complex and regular wheel running on the levels of 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (OGG₁ ), semaphorin 3B (sema3B), hydrogen peroxide (H₂ O₂ ), and apoptosis in the hippocampus of diabetic rats.

METHODS

48 Wistar male rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: healthy control (C), diabetes control (D), regular wheel running + diabetes (RWD), complex wheel running + diabetes (CWD), healthy regular wheel running (RW), and healthy complex wheel running (CW). The diabetic rat model was produced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). The protocol encompassed a 4-week voluntary running training regimen on regular and complex wheel running apparatus. The rats were sacrificed 48 hr after the last training session. To measure the protein concentrations within the hippocampus, ELISA has been utilized. One-way ANOVA was used to compare the groups.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in OGG1 protein levels between the groups. H₂ O₂ level in the D group was significantly higher than the C group (p = .002), while this in RWD and CWD groups was considerably lower than the D group (p = .002 and p = .003, respectively). In the D group, the levels of apoptosis and Sema3B were significantly (p = .001 and p = .007, respectively) higher than C, RWD (p = .001, p = .0001, respectively), and CWD groups (p = .001, p = .006, respectively). Nevertheless, there were not any significant differences between RWD and CWD groups.

CONCLUSION

The increased levels of Sema3B, H2O2, and apoptosis within the hippocampus associated with diabetes could be noticeably restored by both types of voluntary wheel running protocols.

New Insights Into Mitochondrial Dysfunction at Disease Susceptibility Loci in the Development of Type 2 Diabetes

This study investigated the potential genetic mechanisms which underlie adipose tissue mitochondrial dysfunction in Type 2 diabetes (T2D), by systematically identifying nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes (NEMGs) among the genes regulated by T2D-associated genetic loci. The target genes of these 'disease loci' were identified by mapping genetic loci associated with both disease and gene expression levels (expression quantitative trait loci, eQTL) using high resolution genetic maps, with independent estimates co-locating to within a small genetic distance. These co-locating signals were defined as T2D-eQTL and the target genes as T2D cis-genes. In total, 763 cis-genes were associated with T2D-eQTL, of which 50 were NEMGs. Independent gene expression datasets for T2D and insulin resistant cases and controls confirmed that the cis-genes and cis-NEMGs were enriched for differential expression in cases, providing independent validation that genetic maps can identify informative functional genes. Two additional results were consistent with a potential role of T2D-eQTL in regulating the 50 identified cis-NEMGs in the context of T2D risk: (1) the 50 cis-NEMGs showed greater differential expression compared to other NEMGs and (2) other NEMGs showed a trend towards significantly decreased expression if their expression levels correlated more highly with the subset of 50 cis-NEMGs. These 50 cis-NEMGs, which are differentially expressed and associated with mapped T2D disease loci, encode proteins acting within key mitochondrial pathways, including some of current therapeutic interest such as the metabolism of branched-chain amino acids, GABA and biotin.

Inverse association of diabetes and dialysis with the severity of femoropopliteal lesions and chronic total occlusion: a cross-sectional study of 2056 cases

Background

This study aimed to reveal the association of diabetes mellitus and dialysis-dependent renal failure with the lesion severity and chronic total occlusion (CTO) in patients undergoing femoropopliteal endovascular therapy for intermittent claudication.

Methods

This multicenter retrospective study analyzed the data of 2056 consecutive patients with moderate to severe intermittent claudication, who underwent endovascular therapy for de novo lesions in the superficial femoral artery to the proximal popliteal artery between 2010 and 2018 at five cardiovascular centers in Japan. The association of the clinical characteristics with severity of the lesions, as assessed by the Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) II classification, was investigated using the ordinal logistic regression model. Their association with CTO, lesion length, and severity of calcifications was additionally analyzed using the binomial logistic regression model.

Results

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus and dialysis-dependent renal failure was 54.7% and 21.4%, respectively; 12.5% of the patients had lesions corresponding to TASC II class D, and 39.3% of the patients had CTO. Current smoking and severe claudication were associated with more severe lesions assessed according to the TASC II classification; diabetes mellitus and dialysis dependence were inversely associated with disease severity. The adjusted odds ratios of diabetes mellitus and dialysis dependence were 0.82 (95% confidence interval 0.70–0.97; p = 0.018) and 0.76 (0.62–0.94; p = 0.009), respectively. Diabetes mellitus and dialysis dependence were also inversely associated with CTO (both p < 0.05). Furthermore, diabetes mellitus was inversely associated with a long lesion (p < 0.05). Diabetes mellitus and dialysis dependence were positively associated with severe calcification (both p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Diabetes mellitus and dialysis-dependent renal failure were inversely associated with the lesion severity, as assessed by the TASC II classification, and CTO in patients undergoing femoropopliteal endovascular therapy for intermittent claudication.

Plasma metabolomics analysis of the effects of drinking soda water on hyperglycemia mice using ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a natural soda water [Shi Han Quan (SHQ)] on hyperglycemia and plasma metabolic profiling and explore the mechanism using metabolomics techniques. Kun-Ming mice weighing 26 ± 2 g were used for the hyperglycemia animal model with alloxan and divided into control, hyperglycemia (HG), and HG + SHQ soda water (SHQ) groups. The experiment lasted for 30 days. The plasma metabolomic profiling of mice was determined using ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry. After the mice drank SHQ soda water, the levels of insulin and blood glucose were significantly lower in the SHQ group compared with the control group, and the level of insulin sensitivity [insulin sensitivity index (ISI)] was significantly higher in the SHQ group compared with the HG group. The mice in the different groups after SHQ intervention could be separated into distinct clusters, and nine major plasma metabolites with significant differences between groups were found closely associated with blood glucose and ISI. The metabolic pathway analysis of these metabolites involved abnormal fatty acid oxidation and phospholipid, acylcarnitine, and corticoid metabolism. The results suggested the metabolic changes and possible mechanism of SHQ improving the alloxan-induced HG, and the findings provided insights into the prevention and control of HG and diabetes.

Multi-Cellular Functions of MG53 in Muscle Calcium Signaling and Regeneration

Since its identification in 2009, multiple studies have indicated the importance of MG53 in muscle physiology. The protein is produced in striated muscles but has physiologic implications reaching beyond the confines of striated muscles. Roles in muscle regeneration, calcium homeostasis, excitation-contraction coupling, myogenesis, and the mitochondria highlight the protein’s wide-reaching impact. Numerous therapeutic applications could potentially emerge from these physiologic roles. This review summarizes the current literature regarding the role of MG53 in the skeletal muscle. Therapeutic applications are discussed.

Age-induced mitochondrial DNA point mutations are inadequate to alter metabolic homeostasis in response to nutrient challenge

Mitochondrial dysfunction is frequently associated with impairment in metabolic homeostasis and insulin action, and is thought to underlie cellular aging. However, it is unclear whether mitochondrial dysfunction is a cause or consequence of insulin resistance in humans. To determine the impact of intrinsic mitochondrial dysfunction on metabolism and insulin action, we performed comprehensive metabolic phenotyping of the polymerase gamma (PolG) D257A “mutator” mouse, a model known to accumulate supraphysiological mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) point mutations. We utilized the heterozygous PolG mutator mouse (PolG^+/mut) because it accumulates mtDNA point mutations ~ 500‐fold > wild‐type mice (WT), but fails to develop an overt progeria phenotype, unlike PolG^mut/mut animals. To determine whether mtDNA point mutations induce metabolic dysfunction, we examined male PolG^+/mut mice at 6 and 12 months of age during normal chow feeding, after 24‐hr starvation, and following high‐fat diet (HFD) feeding. No marked differences were observed in glucose homeostasis, adiposity, protein/gene markers of metabolism, or oxygen consumption in muscle between WT and PolG^+/mut mice during any of the conditions or ages studied. However, proteomic analyses performed on isolated mitochondria from 12‐month‐old PolG^+/mut mouse muscle revealed alterations in the expression of mitochondrial ribosomal proteins, electron transport chain components, and oxidative stress‐related factors compared with WT. These findings suggest that mtDNA point mutations at levels observed in mammalian aging are insufficient to disrupt metabolic homeostasis and insulin action in male mice.

Comparative Analysis of the Extracellular Matrix Proteome across the Myotendinous Junction

The myotendinous junction is a highly interdigitated interface designed to transfer muscle-generated force to tendon. Understanding how this interface is formed and organized, as well as identifying tendon- and muscle-specific extracellular matrix (ECM), is critical for designing effective regenerative therapies to restore functionality to damaged muscle-tendon units. However, a comparative analysis of the ECM proteome across this interface has not been conducted. The goal of this study was to resolve the distribution of ECM proteins that are uniformly expressed as well as those specific to each of the muscle, tendon, and junction tissues. The soleus muscles from 5-month-old wild-type C57BL/6 mice were harvested and dissected into the central muscle (M) away from tendon, the junction between muscle and tendon (J) and the tendon (T). Tissues were processed by either homogenizing in guanidine hydrochloride or fractionating to isolate the ECM from more soluble intracellular components and then analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Overall, we found that both tissue processing methods generated similar ECM profiles. Many ECM were found across the muscle-tendon unit, including type I collagen and associated fibril-regulating proteins. The ECM identified exclusively in M were primarily related to the basal lamina, whereas those specific to T and J tissue included thrombospondins and other matricellular ECM. Type XXII collagen (COL22A1) was restricted to J, and we identified COL5A3 as a potential marker of the muscle-tendon interface. Immunohistochemical analysis of key proteins confirmed the restriction of some basal lamina proteins to M, tenascin-C to T, and COL22A1 to J. COL5A3, PRELP, and POSTN were visualized in the tissue surrounding the junction, suggesting that these proteins play a role in stabilizing the interface. This comparative map provides a guide for tissue-specific ECM that can facilitate the spatial visualization of M, J, and T tissues and inform musculoskeletal regenerative therapies.

Acute insulin deprivation results in altered mitochondrial substrate sensitivity conducive to greater fatty acid transport

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are both tightly associated with impaired glucose control. Although both pathologies stem from different mechanisms, a reduction in insulin action coincides with drastic metabolic dysfunction in skeletal muscle and metabolic inflexibility. However, the underlying explanation for this response remains poorly understood, particularly since it is difficult to distinguish the role of attenuated insulin action from the detrimental effects of reactive lipid accumulation, which impairs mitochondrial function and promotes reactive oxygen species (ROS) emission. We therefore utilized streptozotocin to examine the effects of acute insulin deprivation, in the absence of a high-lipid/nutrient excess environment, on the regulation of mitochondrial substrate sensitivity and ROS emission. The ablation of insulin resulted in reductions in absolute mitochondrial oxidative capacity and ADP-supported respiration and reduced the ability for malonyl-CoA to inhibit carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT-I) and suppress fatty acid-supported respiration. These bioenergetic responses coincided with increased mitochondrial-derived H₂O₂ emission and lipid transporter content, independent of major mitochondrial substrate transporter proteins and enzymes involved in fatty acid oxidation. Together, these data suggest that attenuated/ablated insulin signaling does not affect mitochondrial ADP sensitivity, whereas the increased reliance on fatty acid oxidation in situations where insulin action is reduced may occur as a result of altered regulation of mitochondrial fatty acid transport through CPT-I.

MG53 Does Not Manifest the Development of Diabetes in db/db Mice

MG53 is a member of the TRIM protein family that is predominantly expressed in striated muscles and participates in cell membrane repair. Controversy exists regarding MG53's role in insulin signaling and manifestation of diabetes. We generated db/db mice with either whole-body ablation or sustained elevation of MG53 in the bloodstream in order to evaluate the physiological function of MG53 in diabetes. To quantify the amount of MG53 protein in circulation, we developed a monoclonal antibody against MG53 with high specificity. Western blot using this antibody revealed lower or no change of serum MG53 levels in db/db mice or patients with diabetes compared with control subjects. Neither whole-body ablation of MG53 nor sustained elevation of MG53 in circulation altered insulin signaling and glucose handling in db/db mice. Instead, mice with ablation of MG53 were more susceptible to streptozotocin-induced dysfunctional handling of glucose compared with the wild-type littermates. Alkaline-induced corneal injury demonstrated delayed healing in db/db mice, which was restored by topical administration of recombinant human (rh)MG53. Daily intravenous administration of rhMG53 in rats at concentrations up to 10 mg/kg did not produce adverse effects on glucose handling. These findings challenge the hypothetical function of MG53 as a causative factor for the development of diabetes. Our data suggest that rhMG53 is a potentially safe and effective biologic to treat diabetic oculopathy in rodents.

Proteomics reveals different pathological processes of adipose tissue, liver, and skeletal muscle under insulin resistance

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the most common type of diabetes, and insulin resistance (IR) is its core pathological mechanism. Proteomics is an ingenious and promising Omics technology that can comprehensively describe the global protein expression profiling of body or specific tissue, and is widely applied to the study of molecular mechanisms of diseases. In this paper, we focused on insulin target organs: adipose tissue, liver, and skeletal muscle, and analyzed the different pathological processes of IR in these three tissues based on proteomics research. By literature studies, we proposed that the main pathological processes of IR among target organs were diverse, which showed unique characteristics and focuses. We further summarized the differential proteins in target organs which were verified to be related to IR, and discussed the proteins that may play key roles in the emphasized pathological processes, aiming at discovering potentially specific differential proteins of IR, and providing new ideas for pathological mechanism research of IR.

Loss of FoxOs in muscle reveals sex-based differences in insulin sensitivity but mitigates diet-induced obesity

OBJECTIVE

Gender influences obesity-related complications, including diabetes. Females are more protected from insulin resistance after diet-induced obesity, which may be related to fat accumulation and muscle insulin sensitivity. FoxOs regulate muscle atrophy and are targets of insulin action, but their role in muscle insulin sensitivity and mitochondrial metabolism is unknown.

METHODS

We measured muscle insulin signaling, mitochondrial energetics, and metabolic responses to a high-fat diet (HFD) in male and female muscle-specific FoxO1/3/4 triple knock-out (TKO) mice.

RESULTS

In male TKO muscle, insulin-stimulated AKT activation was decreased. AKT2 protein and mRNA levels were reduced and insulin receptor protein and IRS-2 mRNA decreased. These changes contributed to decreased insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in glycolytic muscle in males. In contrast, female TKOs maintain normal insulin-mediated AKT phosphorylation, normal AKT2 levels, and normal glucose uptake in glycolytic muscle. When challenged with a HFD, fat gain was attenuated in both male and female TKO mice, and associated with decreased glucose levels, improved glucose homeostasis, and reduced muscle triglyceride accumulation. Furthermore, female TKO mice showed increased energy expenditure, relative to controls, due to increased lean mass and maintenance of mitochondrial function in muscle.

CONCLUSIONS

FoxO deletion in muscle uncovers sexually dimorphic regulation of AKT2, which impairs insulin signaling in male mice, but not females. However, loss of FoxOs in muscle from both males and females also leads to muscle hypertrophy and increases in metabolic rate. These factors mitigate fat gain and attenuate metabolic abnormalities in response to a HFD.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is the cause of one of the earliest changes seen on magnetic resonance imaging in Charcot neuroarthopathy - Oedema of the small muscles in the foot

The hypothesis laid out in this thesis states that the early changes seen on an MR imaging in those with early Charcot neuroarthopathy may be due to mitochondrial dysfunction. In a Charcot foot, there is movement between bones. In an attempt to prevent this movement, the small muscles of the foot contract continuously when the foot is weight bearing. This contraction takes energy in the form of ATP. However, the reduction of glucose transport into the muscle cells due to insulin resistance / insufficiency, leads to reduction in the ATP producing capacity of the mitochondria. The ATP depletion affects the cell membrane gradient leading to mitochondrial and cellular swelling. These early cellular changes could then be picked up with MR imaging as muscle oedema.

Insulin deficiency and intranasal insulin alter brain mitochondrial function: a potential factor for dementia in diabetes

Despite the strong association between diabetes and dementia, it remains to be fully elucidated how insulin deficiency adversely affects brain functions. We show that insulin deficiency in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice decreased mitochondrial ATP production and/or citrate synthase and cytochrome oxidase activities in the cerebrum, hypothalamus, and hippocampus. Concomitant decrease in mitochondrial fusion proteins and increased fission proteins in these brain regions likely contributed to altered mitochondrial function. Although insulin deficiency did not cause any detectable increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) emission, inhibition of monocarboxylate transporters increased ROS emission and further reduced ATP production, indicating the causative roles of elevated ketones and lactate in counteracting oxidative stress and as a fuel source for ATP production during insulin deficiency. Moreover, in healthy mice, intranasal insulin administration increased mitochondrial ATP production, demonstrating a direct regulatory role of insulin on brain mitochondrial function. Proteomics analysis of the cerebrum showed that although insulin deficiency led to oxidative post-translational modification of several proteins that cause tau phosphorylation and neurofibrillary degeneration, insulin administration enhanced neuronal development and neurotransmission pathways. Together these results render support for the critical role of insulin to maintain brain mitochondrial homeostasis and provide mechanistic insight into the potential therapeutic benefits of intranasal insulin.-Ruegsegger, G. N., Manjunatha, S., Summer, P., Gopala, S., Zabeilski, P., Dasari, S., Vanderboom, P. M., Lanza, I. R., Klaus, K. A., Nair, K. S. Insulin deficiency and intranasal insulin alter brain mitochondrial function: a potential factor for dementia in diabetes.

Screening for insulin-independent pathways that modulate glucose homeostasis identifies androgen receptor antagonists

Pathways modulating glucose homeostasis independently of insulin would open new avenues to combat insulin resistance and diabetes. Here, we report the establishment, characterization, and use of a vertebrate ‘insulin-free’ model to identify insulin-independent modulators of glucose metabolism. insulin knockout zebrafish recapitulate core characteristics of diabetes and survive only up to larval stages. Utilizing a highly efficient endoderm transplant technique, we generated viable chimeric adults that provide the large numbers of insulin mutant larvae required for our screening platform. Using glucose as a disease-relevant readout, we screened 2233 molecules and identified three that consistently reduced glucose levels in insulin mutants. Most significantly, we uncovered an insulin-independent beneficial role for androgen receptor antagonism in hyperglycemia, mostly by reducing fasting glucose levels. Our study proposes therapeutic roles for androgen signaling in diabetes and, more broadly, offers a novel in vivo model for rapid screening and decoupling of insulin-dependent and -independent mechanisms.

Diabetes is a disease that affects the ability of the body to control the level of sugar in the blood. Individuals with diabetes are unable to make a hormone called insulin – which normally stimulates certain cells to absorb sugar from the blood – or their cells are less able to respond to this hormone. Most treatments for diabetes involve replacing the lost insulin or boosting the hormone’s activity in the body. However, these treatments can also cause individuals to gain weight or become more resistant to insulin, making it harder to control blood sugar levels.

In addition to insulin, several other factors regulate the levels of sugar in the blood and some of them may operate independently of insulin. However, little is known about such factors because it is impractical to carry out large-scale screens to identify drugs that target them in humans or mice, which are often used as experimental models for human biology.

To overcome this challenge, Mullapudi et al. turned to another animal known as the zebrafish and generated mutant fish that lack insulin. The mutant zebrafish had similar problems with regulating sugar levels as those observed in humans and mice with diabetes. This observation suggests that insulin is just as important in zebrafish as it is in humans and other mammals.

The mutant zebrafish did not survive into adulthood, and so Mullapudi et al. transplanted healthy tissue into the zebrafish to allow them to produce enough insulin to survive. These adult zebrafish produced many offspring that still carried the insulin mutation. Mullapudi et al. used these mutant offspring to screen over 2,000 drugs for their ability to decrease blood sugar levels in the absence of insulin. The screen identified three promising candidate drugs, including a molecule that interferes with a receptor for a signal known as androgen.

These findings will help researchers investigate new ways to treat diabetes. In the future, the screening approach developed by Mullapudi et al. could be adapted to search for new drugs to treat other human metabolic conditions.

Remodeling of skeletal muscle mitochondrial proteome with high-fat diet involves greater changes to β-oxidation than electron transfer proteins in mice

Excess fat intake can increase lipid oxidation and expression of mitochondrial proteins, indicating remodeling of the mitochondrial proteome. Yet intermediates of lipid oxidation also accumulate, indicating a relative insufficiency to completely oxidize lipids. We investigated remodeling of the mitochondrial proteome to determine mechanisms of changes in lipid oxidation following high-fat feeding. C57BL/6J mice consumed a high-fat diet (HFD, 60% fat from lard) or a low-fat diet (LFD, 10% fat) for 12 wk. Mice were fasted for 4 h and then anesthetized by pentobarbital sodium overdose for tissue collection. A mitochondrial-enriched fraction was prepared from gastrocnemius muscles and underwent proteomic analysis by high-resolution mass spectrometry. Mitochondrial respiratory efficiency was measured as the ratio of ATP production to O₂ consumption. Intramuscular acylcarnitines were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 658 mitochondrial proteins were identified: 40 had higher abundance and 14 had lower abundance in mice consuming the HFD than in mice consuming the LFD. Individual proteins that changed with the HFD were primarily related to β-oxidation; there were fewer changes to the electron transfer system. Gene set enrichment analysis indicated that the HFD increased pathways of lipid metabolism and β-oxidation. Intramuscular concentrations of select acylcarnitines (C18:0) were greater in the HFD mice and reflected dietary lipid composition. Mitochondrial respiratory ATP production-to-O₂ consumption ratio for lipids was not different between LFD and HFD mice. After the 60% fat diet, remodeling of the mitochondrial proteome revealed upregulation of proteins regulating lipid oxidation that was not evident for all mitochondrial pathways. The accumulation of lipid metabolites with obesity may occur without intrinsic dysfunction to mitochondrial lipid oxidation.

Altered mitochondrial function in insulin-deficient and insulin-resistant states

Diabetes profoundly alters fuel metabolism; both insulin deficiency and insulin resistance are characterized by inefficient mitochondrial coupling and excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) despite their association with normal to high oxygen consumption. Altered mitochondrial function in diabetes can be traced to insulin's pivotal role in maintaining mitochondrial proteome abundance and quality by enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis and preventing proteome damage and degradation, respectively. Although insulin enhances gene transcription, it also induces decreases in amino acids. Thus, if amino acid depletion is not corrected, increased transcription will not result in enhanced translation of transcripts to proteins. Mitochondrial biology varies among tissues, and although most studies in humans are performed in skeletal muscle, abnormalities have been reported in multiple organs in preclinical models of diabetes. Nutrient excess, especially fat excess, alters mitochondrial physiology by driving excess ROS emission that impairs insulin action. Excessive ROS irreversibly damages DNA and proteome with adverse effects on cellular functions. In insulin-resistant people, aerobic exercise stimulates both mitochondrial biogenesis and efficiency concurrent with enhancement of insulin action. This Review discusses the association between both insulin-deficient and insulin-resistant diabetes and alterations in mitochondrial proteome homeostasis and function that adversely affect cellular functions, likely contributing to many diabetic complications.

Diabetic Myopathy: current molecular understanding of this novel neuromuscular disorder

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Here we summarize the evidence from human studies of the impairments to the structural, functional, and metabolic capacities in skeletal muscle in those with type 1 diabetes (T1D) - a condition known as diabetic myopathy. Given the importance of skeletal muscle for blood lipid and glucose management, the development and progression of diabetic myopathy would not only lead to increased insulin resistance, but also impact the ability to mitigate dysglycemic/dyslipidemic burdens.

RECENT FINDINGS

Despite the importance of skeletal muscle in whole-body metabolic control, studies investigating diabetic myopathy are startling limited. Recent findings have demonstrated that those with T1D exhibit decreased force production, increased fatigability, loss of muscle stem cells, and a greater reliance on glycolytic metabolism, as a result of reduced mitochondrial capacity.

SUMMARY

We propose a mechanistic model for the development of diabetic myopathy based on the human findings to date. This model suggests that repeated insulin injections in those with T1D leads to recurrent periods of intracellular hyperglycemia in myofibers. Resultant reductions in mitochondrial function lead to greater reliance on glycolytic metabolism and a concomitant shift in fiber type composition. Studies defining the scope and magnitude of diabetic myopathy and testing the veracity of this model are urgently needed in order to develop appropriate therapeutic strategies to maximize muscle health in those with T1D.

Skeletal muscle ex vivo mitochondrial respiration parallels decline in vivo oxidative capacity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and muscle strength: The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging

Mitochondrial function in human skeletal muscle declines with age. Most evidence for this decline comes from studies that assessed mitochondrial function indirectly, and the impact of such deterioration with respect to physical function has not been clearly delineated. We hypothesized that mitochondrial respiration in permeabilized human muscle fibers declines with age and correlates with phosphocreatine postexercise recovery rate (kPCr), muscle performance, and aerobic fitness. Mitochondrial respiration was assessed by high-resolution respirometry in saponin-permeabilized fibers from vastus lateralis muscle biopsies of 38 participants from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA; 21 men, age 24-91 years) who also had available measures of peak oxygen consumption (VO_2max ) from treadmill tests, gait speed in different tasks, ³¹ P magnetic resonance spectroscopy, isokinetic knee extension, and grip strength. Results indicated a significant reduction in mitochondrial respiration with age (p < .05) that was independent of other potential confounders. Mitochondrial respiratory capacity was also associated with VO_2max , muscle strength, kPCr, and time to complete a 400-m walk (p < .05). A negative trend toward significance (p = .074) was observed between mitochondrial respiration and BMI. Finally, transcriptional profiling revealed a reduced mRNA expression of mitochondrial gene networks with aging (p < .05). Overall, our findings reinforce the notion that mitochondrial function declines with age and may contribute to age-associated loss of muscle performance and cardiorespiratory fitness.

Proteomic analysis of corneal endothelial cell-descemet membrane tissues reveals influence of insulin dependence and disease severity in type 2 diabetes mellitus

The objective of this study was to characterize the proteome of the corneal endothelial cell layer and its basement membrane (Descemet membrane) in humans with various severities of type II diabetes mellitus compared to controls, and identify differentially expressed proteins across a range of diabetic disease severities that may influence corneal endothelial cell health. Endothelium-Descemet membrane complex tissues were peeled from transplant suitable donor corneas. Protein fractions were isolated from each sample and subjected to multidimensional liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Peptide spectra were matched to the human proteome, assigned gene ontology, and grouped into protein signaling pathways unique to each of the disease states. We identified an average of 12,472 unique proteins in each of the endothelium-Descemet membrane complex tissue samples. There were 2,409 differentially expressed protein isoforms that included previously known risk factors for type II diabetes mellitus related to metabolic processes, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Gene ontology analysis demonstrated that diabetes progression has many protein footprints related to metabolic processes, binding, and catalysis. The most represented pathways involved in diabetes progression included mitochondrial dysfunction, cell-cell junction structure, and protein synthesis regulation. This proteomic dataset identifies novel corneal endothelial cell and Descemet membrane protein expression in various stages of diabetic disease. These findings give insight into the mechanisms involved in diabetes progression relevant to the corneal endothelium and its basement membrane, prioritize new pathways for therapeutic targeting, and provide insight into potential biomarkers for determining the health of this tissue.

Insulin Regulation of Proteostasis and Clinical Implications

Maintenance and modification of the cellular proteome are at the core of normal cellular physiology. Although insulin is well known for its control of glucose homeostasis, its critical role in maintaining proteome homeostasis (proteostasis) is less appreciated. Insulin signaling regulates protein synthesis and degradation as well as posttranslational modifications at the tissue level and coordinates proteostasis at the organism level. Here, we review regulation of proteostasis by insulin in postabsorptive, postprandial, and diabetic states. We present the effects of insulin on amino acid flux in skeletal muscle and splanchnic tissues, the regulation of protein quality control, and turnover of mitochondrial protein pools in humans. We also review the current evidence for the mechanistic control of proteostasis by insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptors based on preclinical studies. Finally, we discuss irreversible posttranslational modifications of the proteome in diabetes and how future investigations will provide new insights into mechanisms of diabetic complications.

Identifying suitable reference genes for gene expression analysis in developing skeletal muscle in pigs

The selection of suitable reference genes is crucial to accurately evaluate and normalize the relative expression level of target genes for gene function analysis. However, commonly used reference genes have variable expression levels in developing skeletal muscle. There are few reports that systematically evaluate the expression stability of reference genes across prenatal and postnatal developing skeletal muscle in mammals. Here, we used quantitative PCR to examine the expression levels of 15 candidate reference genes (ACTB, GAPDH, RNF7, RHOA, RPS18, RPL32, PPIA, H3F3, API5, B2M, AP1S1, DRAP1, TBP, WSB, and VAPB) in porcine skeletal muscle at 26 different developmental stages (15 prenatal and 11 postnatal periods). We evaluated gene expression stability using the computer algorithms geNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper. Our results indicated that GAPDH and ACTB had the greatest variability among the candidate genes across prenatal and postnatal stages of skeletal muscle development. RPS18, API5, and VAPB had stable expression levels in prenatal stages, whereas API5, RPS18, RPL32, and H3F3 had stable expression levels in postnatal stages. API5 and H3F3 expression levels had the greatest stability in all tested prenatal and postnatal stages, and were the most appropriate reference genes for gene expression normalization in developing skeletal muscle. Our data provide valuable information for gene expression analysis during different stages of skeletal muscle development in mammals. This information can provide a valuable guide for the analysis of human diseases.

Advanced oxidation protein products sensitized the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 via NADPH oxidase 1 and 4 to cause mechanical hyperalgesia

Oxidative stress is a possible pathogenesis of hyperalgesia. Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), a new family of oxidized protein compounds, have been considered as a novel marker of oxidative stress. However, the role of AOPPs in the mechanism of hyperalgesia remains unknown. Our study aims to investigate whether AOPPs have an effect on hyperalgesia and the possible underlying mechanisms. To identify the AOPPs involved, we induced hyperalgesia in rats by injecting complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) in hindpaw. The level of plasma AOPPs in CFA-induced rats was 1.6-fold in comparison with what in normal rats (P<0.05). After intravenous injection of AOPPs-modified rat serum albumin (AOPPs-RSA) in Sprague-Dawley rats, the paw mechanical thresholds, measured by the electronic von Frey system, significantly declined. Immunofluorescence staining indicated that AOPPs increased expressions of NADPH oxidase 1 (Nox1), NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4), transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) tissues. In-vitro studies were performed on primary DRG neurons which were obtained from both thoracic and lumbar DRG of rats. Results indicated that AOPPs triggered reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in DRG neurons, which were significantly abolished by ROS scavenger N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) and small-interfering RNA (siRNA) silencing of Nox1 or Nox4. The expressions of Nox1, Nox4, TRPV1 and CGRP were significantly increased in AOPPs-induced DRG neurons. And relevant siRNA or inhibitors notably suppressed the expressions of these proteins and the calcium influxes in AOPPs-induced DRG neurons. In conclusion, AOPPs increased significantly in CFA-induced hyperalgesia rats and they activated Nox1/Nox4-ROS to sensitize TRPV1-dependent Ca2+ influx and CGRP release which led to inducing mechanical hyperalgesia.

Release of skeletal muscle peptide fragments identifies individual proteins degraded during insulin deprivation in type 1 diabetic humans and mice

Insulin regulates skeletal muscle protein degradation, but the types of proteins being degraded in vivo remain to be determined due to methodological limitations. We present a method to assess the types of skeletal muscle proteins that are degraded by extracting their degradation products as low-molecular weight (LMW) peptides from muscle samples. High-resolution mass spectrometry was used to identify the original intact proteins that generated the LMW peptides, which we validated in rodents and then applied to humans. We deprived insulin from insulin-treated streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic mice for 6 and 96 h and for 8 h in type 1 diabetic humans (T1D) for comparison with insulin-treated conditions. Protein degradation was measured using activation of autophagy and proteasome pathways, stable isotope tracers, and LMW approaches. In mice, insulin deprivation activated proteasome pathways and autophagy in muscle homogenates and isolated mitochondria. Reproducibility analysis of LMW extracts revealed that ∼80% of proteins were detected consistently. As expected, insulin deprivation increased whole body protein turnover in T1D. Individual protein degradation increased with insulin deprivation, including those involved in mitochondrial function, proteome homeostasis, nDNA support, and contractile/cytoskeleton. Individual mitochondrial proteins that generated more LMW fragment with insulin deprivation included ATP synthase subunit-γ (+0.5-fold, P = 0.007) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 6 (+0.305-fold, P = 0.03). In conclusion, identifying LMW peptide fragments offers an approach to determine the degradation of individual proteins. Insulin deprivation increases degradation of select proteins and provides insight into the regulatory role of insulin in maintaining proteome homeostasis, especially of mitochondria.

Proteomics of Skeletal Muscle: Focus on Insulin Resistance and Exercise Biology

Skeletal muscle is the largest tissue in the human body and plays an important role in locomotion and whole body metabolism. It accounts for ~80% of insulin stimulated glucose disposal. Skeletal muscle insulin resistance, a primary feature of Type 2 diabetes, is caused by a decreased ability of muscle to respond to circulating insulin. Physical exercise improves insulin sensitivity and whole body metabolism and remains one of the most promising interventions for the prevention of Type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance and exercise adaptations in skeletal muscle might be a cause, or consequence, of altered protein expressions profiles and/or their posttranslational modifications (PTMs). Mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics offer enormous promise for investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying skeletal muscle insulin resistance and exercise-induced adaptation; however, skeletal muscle proteomics are challenging. This review describes the technical limitations of skeletal muscle proteomics as well as emerging developments in proteomics workflow with respect to samples preparation, liquid chromatography (LC), MS and computational analysis. These technologies have not yet been fully exploited in the field of skeletal muscle proteomics. Future studies that involve state-of-the-art proteomics technology will broaden our understanding of exercise-induced adaptations as well as molecular pathogenesis of insulin resistance. This could lead to the identification of new therapeutic targets.