Biochemical and metabolic characterization of a G6PC2 inhibitor

Three glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunits, that hydrolyze glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) to glucose and inorganic phosphate, have been identified, designated G6PC1-3, but only G6PC1 and G6PC2 have been implicated in the regulation of fasting blood glucose (FBG). Elevated FBG has been associated with multiple adverse clinical outcomes, including increased risk for type 2 diabetes and various cancers. Therefore, G6PC1 and G6PC2 inhibitors that lower FBG may be of prophylactic value for the prevention of multiple conditions. The studies described here characterize a G6PC2 inhibitor, designated VU0945627, previously identified as Compound 3. We show that VU0945627 preferentially inhibits human G6PC2 versus human G6PC1 but activates human G6PC3. VU0945627 is a mixed G6PC2 inhibitor, increasing the Km but reducing the Vmax for G6P hydrolysis. PyRx virtual docking to an AlphaFold2-derived G6PC2 structural model suggests VU0945627 binds two sites in human G6PC2. Mutation of residues in these sites reduces the inhibitory effect of VU0945627. VU0945627 does not inhibit mouse G6PC2 despite its 84% sequence identity with human G6PC2. Mutagenesis studies suggest this lack of inhibition of mouse G6PC2 is due, in part, to a change in residue 318 from histidine in human G6PC2 to proline in mouse G6PC2. Surprisingly, VU0945627 still inhibited glucose cycling in the mouse islet-derived βTC-3 cell line. Studies using intact mouse liver microsomes and PyRx docking suggest that this observation can be explained by an ability of VU0945627 to also inhibit the G6P transporter SLC37A4. These data will inform future computational modeling studies designed to identify G6PC isoform-specific inhibitors.

Molecular mechanisms of catalytic inhibition for active site mutations in glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit 1 linked to glycogen storage disease

Mediating the terminal reaction of gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis, the integral membrane protein G6PC1 regulates hepatic glucose production by catalyzing hydrolysis of glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) within the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. Consistent with its vital contribution to glucose homeostasis, inactivating mutations in G6PC1 cause glycogen storage disease (GSD) type 1a characterized by hepatomegaly and severe hypoglycemia. Despite its physiological importance, the structural basis of G6P binding to G6PC1 and the molecular disruptions induced by missense mutations within the active site that give rise to GSD type 1a are unknown. Exploiting a computational model of G6PC1 derived from the groundbreaking structure prediction algorithm AlphaFold2 (AF2), we combine molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and computational predictions of thermodynamic stability with a robust in vitro screening platform to define the atomic interactions governing G6P binding as well as explore the energetic perturbations imposed by disease-linked variants. We identify a collection of side chains, including conserved residues from the signature phosphatidic acid phosphatase motif, that contribute to a hydrogen bonding and van der Waals network stabilizing G6P in the active site. Introduction of GSD type 1a mutations into the G6PC1 sequence elicits changes in G6P binding energy, thermostability and structural properties, suggesting multiple pathways of catalytic impairment. Our results, which corroborate the high quality of the AF2 model as a guide for experimental design and to interpret outcomes, not only confirm active site structural organization but also suggest novel mechanistic contributions of catalytic and non-catalytic side chains.

Zinc transporter 8 haploinsufficiency protects against beta cell dysfunction in type 1 diabetes by increasing mitochondrial respiration

OBJECTIVE

Zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8) is a major humoral target in human type 1 diabetes (T1D). Polymorphic variants of Slc30A8, which encodes ZnT8, are also associated with protection from type 2 diabetes (T2D). The current study examined whether ZnT8 might play a role beyond simply being a target of autoimmunity in the pathophysiology of T1D.

METHODS

The phenotypes of NOD mice with complete or partial global loss of ZnT8 were determined using a combination of disease incidence, histological, transcriptomic, and metabolic analyses.

RESULTS

Unexpectedly, while complete loss of ZnT8 accelerated spontaneous T1D, heterozygosity was partially protective. In vivo and in vitro studies of ZnT8 deficient NOD.SCID mice suggested that the accelerated disease was due to more rampant autoimmunity. Conversely, beta cells in heterozygous animals uniquely displayed increased mitochondrial fitness under mild proinflammatory conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

In pancreatic beta cells and immune cell populations, Zn2+ plays a key role as a regulator of redox signaling and as an independent secondary messenger. Importantly, Zn2+ also plays a major role in maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis. Our results suggest that regulating mitochondrial fitness by altering intra-islet zinc homeostasis may provide a novel mechanism to modulate T1D pathophysiology.

Nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the G6PC2 gene affect protein expression, enzyme activity, and fasting blood glucose

G6PC2 encodes a glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) catalytic subunit that modulates the sensitivity of insulin secretion to glucose and thereby regulates fasting blood glucose (FBG). A common single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in G6PC2, rs560887 is an important determinant of human FBG variability. This SNP has a subtle effect on G6PC2 RNA splicing, which raises the question as to whether nonsynonymous SNPs with a major impact on G6PC2 stability or enzyme activity might have a broader disease/metabolic impact. Previous attempts to characterize such SNPs were limited by the very low inherent G6Pase activity and expression of G6PC2 protein in islet-derived cell lines. In this study, we describe the use of a plasmid vector that confers high G6PC2 protein expression in islet cells, allowing for a functional analysis of 22 nonsynonymous G6PC2 SNPs, 19 of which alter amino acids that are conserved in mouse G6PC2 and the human and mouse variants of the related G6PC1 isoform. We show that 16 of these SNPs markedly impair G6PC2 protein expression (>50% decrease). These SNPs have variable effects on the stability of human and mouse G6PC1, despite the high sequence homology between these isoforms. Four of the remaining six SNPs impaired G6PC2 enzyme activity. Electronic health record-derived phenotype analyses showed an association between high-impact SNPs and FBG, but not other diseases/metabolites. While homozygous G6pc2 deletion in mice increases the risk of hypoglycemia, these human data reveal no evidence that the beneficial use of partial G6PC2 inhibitors to lower FBG would be associated with unintended negative consequences.

Biophysical and functional properties of purified glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit 1

Glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit 1 (G6PC1) plays a critical role in hepatic glucose production during fasting by mediating the terminal step of the gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis pathways. In concert with accessory transport proteins, this membrane-integrated enzyme catalyzes glucose production from glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) to support blood glucose homeostasis. Consistent with its metabolic function, dysregulation of G6PC1 gene expression contributes to diabetes, and mutations that impair phosphohydrolase activity form the clinical basis of glycogen storage disease type 1a. Despite its relevance to health and disease, a comprehensive view of G6PC1 structure and mechanism has been limited by the absence of expression and purification strategies that isolate the enzyme in a functional form. In this report, we apply a suite of biophysical and biochemical tools to fingerprint the in vitro attributes of catalytically active G6PC1 solubilized in lauryl maltose neopentyl glycol (LMNG) detergent micelles. When purified from Sf9 insect cell membranes, the glycosylated mouse ortholog (mG6PC1) recapitulated functional properties observed previously in intact hepatic microsomes and displayed the highest specific activity reported to date. Additionally, our results establish a direct correlation between the catalytic and structural stability of mG6PC1, which is underscored by the enhanced thermostability conferred by phosphatidylcholine and the cholesterol analog cholesteryl hemisuccinate. In contrast, the N96A variant, which blocks N-linked glycosylation, reduced thermostability. The methodologies described here overcome long-standing obstacles in the field and lay the necessary groundwork for a detailed analysis of the mechanistic structural biology of G6PC1 and its role in complex metabolic disorders.

G6PC2 confers protection against hypoglycemia upon ketogenic diet feeding and prolonged fasting

Objective

G6PC2 is predominantly expressed in pancreatic islet beta cells. G6PC2 hydrolyzes glucose-6-phosphate to glucose and inorganic phosphate, thereby creating a futile substrate cycle that opposes the action of glucokinase. This substrate cycle determines the sensitivity of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion to glucose and hence regulates fasting blood glucose (FBG) but not fasting plasma insulin (FPI) levels. Our objective was to explore the physiological benefit this cycle confers.

Methods

We investigated the response of wild type (WT) and G6pc2 knockout (KO) mice to changes in nutrition.

Results

Pancreatic G6pc2 expression was little changed by ketogenic diet feeding but was inhibited by 24 hr fasting and strongly induced by high fat feeding. When challenged with either a ketogenic diet or 24 hr fasting, blood glucose fell to 70 mg/dl or less in G6pc2 KO but not WT mice, suggesting that G6PC2 may have evolved, in part, to prevent hypoglycemia. Prolonged ketogenic diet feeding reduced the effect of G6pc2 deletion on FBG. The hyperglycemia associated with high fat feeding was partially blunted in G6pc2 KO mice, suggesting that under these conditions the presence of G6PC2 is detrimental. As expected, FPI changed but did not differ between WT and KO mice in response to fasting, ketogenic and high fat feeding.

Conclusions

Since elevated FBG levels are associated with increased risk for cardiovascular-associated mortality (CAM), these studies suggest that, while G6PC2 inhibitors would be useful for lowering FBG and the risk of CAM, partial inhibition will be important to avoid the risk of hypoglycemia.

•

G6pc2 deletion lowers fasting blood glucose (FBG) in chow and high fat fed mice.

•

Elevated FBG increases the risk of cardiovascular-associated mortality (CAM).

•

G6pc2 deletion results in hypoglycemia in mice on a ketogenic diet.

•

G6pc2 deletion results in hypoglycemia in mice following prolonged fasting.

•

G6PC2 inhibitors may prevent CAM but increase risk of hypoglycemia.

Evidence that Evolution of the Diabetes Susceptibility Gene SLC30A8 that Encodes the Zinc Transporter ZnT8 Drives Variations in Pancreatic Islet Zinc Content in Multiple Species

Pancreatic islet zinc levels vary widely between species. Very low islet zinc levels in Guinea pigs were thought to be driven by evolution of the INS gene that resulted in the generation of an isoform lacking a histidine at amino acid 10 in the B chain of insulin that is unable to bind zinc. However, we recently showed that the SLC30A8 gene, that encodes the zinc transporter ZnT8, is a pseudogene in Guinea pigs, providing an alternate mechanism to potentially explain the low zinc levels. We show here that the SLC30A8 gene is also inactivated in sheep, cows, chinchillas and naked mole rats but in all four species a histidine is retained at amino acid 10 in the B chain of insulin. Zinc levels are known to be very low in sheep and cow islets. These data suggest that evolution of SLC30A8 rather than INS drives variation in pancreatic islet zinc content in multiple species.

Insulin's direct hepatic effect explains the inhibition of glucose production caused by insulin secretion

Insulin can inhibit hepatic glucose production (HGP) by acting directly on the liver as well as indirectly through effects on adipose tissue, pancreas, and brain. While insulin's indirect effects are indisputable, their physiologic role in the suppression of HGP seen in response to increased insulin secretion is not clear. Likewise, the mechanisms by which insulin suppresses lipolysis and pancreatic α cell secretion under physiologic circumstances are also debated. In this study, insulin was infused into the hepatic portal vein to mimic increased insulin secretion, and insulin's indirect liver effects were blocked either individually or collectively. During physiologic hyperinsulinemia, plasma free fatty acid (FFA) and glucagon levels were clamped at basal values and brain insulin action was blocked, but insulin's direct effects on the liver were left intact. Insulin was equally effective at suppressing HGP when its indirect effects were absent as when they were present. In addition, the inhibition of lipolysis, as well as glucagon and insulin secretion, did not require CNS insulin action or decreased plasma FFA. This indicates that the rapid suppression of HGP is attributable to insulin's direct effect on the liver and that its indirect effects are redundant in the context of a physiologic increase in insulin secretion.

Crystal structures reveal a new and novel FoxO1 binding site within the human glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit 1 gene promoter

Human glucose-6-phosphatase plays a vital role in blood glucose homeostasis and holds promise as a therapeutic target for diabetes. Expression of its catalytic subunit gene 1 (G6PC1) is tightly regulated by metabolic-response transcription factors such as FoxO1 and CREB. Although at least three potential FoxO1 binding sites (insulin response elements, IREs) and one CREB binding site (cAMP response element, CRE) within the proximal region of the G6PC1 promoter have been identified, the interplay between FoxO1 and CREB and between FoxO1 bound at multiple IREs has not been well characterized. Here we present the crystal structures of the FoxO1 DNA binding domain in complex with the G6PC1 promoter. These complexes reveal the presence of a new non-consensus FoxO1 binding site that overlaps the CRE, suggesting a mutual exclusion mechanism for FoxO1 and CREB binding at the G6PC1 promoter. Additional findings include (i) non-canonical FoxO1 recognition sites, (ii) incomplete FoxO1 occupancies at the available IRE sites, and (iii) FoxO1 dimeric interactions that may play a role in stabilizing DNA looping. These findings provide insight into the regulation of G6PC1 gene transcription by FoxO1, and demonstrate a high versatility of target gene recognition by FoxO1 that correlates with its diverse roles in biology.

Combined Deletion of Slc30a7 and Slc30a8 Unmasks a Critical Role for ZnT8 in Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion

Polymorphisms in the SLC30A8 gene, which encodes the ZnT8 zinc transporter, are associated with altered susceptibility to type 2 diabetes (T2D), and SLC30A8 haploinsufficiency is protective against the development of T2D in obese humans. SLC30A8 is predominantly expressed in pancreatic islet β-cells, but surprisingly, multiple knockout mouse studies have shown little effect of Slc30a8 deletion on glucose tolerance or glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Multiple other Slc30a isoforms are expressed at low levels in pancreatic islets. We hypothesized that functional compensation by the Slc30a7 isoform, which encodes ZnT7, limits the impact of Slc30a8 deletion on islet function. We therefore analyzed the effect of Slc30a7 deletion alone or in combination with Slc30a8 on in vivo glucose metabolism and GSIS in isolated islets. Deletion of Slc30a7 alone had complex effects in vivo, impairing glucose tolerance and reducing the glucose-stimulated increase in plasma insulin levels, hepatic glycogen levels, and pancreatic insulin content. Slc30a7 deletion also affected islet morphology and increased the ratio of islet α- to β-cells. However, deletion of Slc30a7 alone had no effect on GSIS in isolated islets, whereas combined deletion of Slc30a7 and Slc30a8 abolished GSIS. These data demonstrate that the function of ZnT8 in islets can be unmasked by removal of ZnT7 and imply that ZnT8 may affect T2D susceptibility through actions in other tissues where it is expressed at low levels rather than through effects on pancreatic islet function.

G6PC2 Modulates the Effects of Dexamethasone on Fasting Blood Glucose and Glucose Tolerance

The glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit 2 (G6PC2) gene encodes an islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit. G6PC2 forms a substrate cycle with glucokinase that determines the glucose sensitivity of insulin secretion. Consequently, deletion of G6pc2 lowers fasting blood glucose (FBG) without affecting fasting plasma insulin. Although chronic elevation of FBG is detrimental to health, glucocorticoids induce G6PC2 expression, suggesting that G6PC2 evolved to transiently modulate FBG under conditions of glucocorticoid-related stress. We show, using competition and mutagenesis experiments, that the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (Dex) induces G6PC2 promoter activity through a mechanism involving displacement of the islet-enriched transcription factor MafA by the glucocorticoid receptor. The induction of G6PC2 promoter activity by Dex is modulated by a single nucleotide polymorphism, previously linked to altered FBG in humans, that affects FOXA2 binding. A 5-day repeated injection paradigm was used to examine the chronic effect of Dex on FBG and glucose tolerance in wild-type (WT) and G6pc2 knockout mice. Acute Dex treatment only induces G6pc2 expression in 129SvEv but not C57BL/6J mice, but this chronic treatment induced G6pc2 expression in both. In 6-hour fasted C57BL/6J WT mice, Dex treatment lowered FBG and improved glucose tolerance, with G6pc2 deletion exacerbating the decrease in FBG and enhancing the improvement in glucose tolerance. In contrast, in 24-hour fasted C57BL/6J WT mice, Dex treatment raised FBG but still improved glucose tolerance, with G6pc2 deletion limiting the increase in FBG and enhancing the improvement in glucose tolerance. These observations demonstrate that G6pc2 modulates the complex effects of Dex on both FBG and glucose tolerance.

Competence Imagery: A Case Study Treating Emetophobia

An emetophobic child is nonresponsive to conventional systematic desensitization and has her anxiety responses counterconditioned by using Competence Imagery instead of physical relaxation responses while progressing through her fear hierarchy.

G6PC2 Modulates Fasting Blood Glucose In Male Mice in Response to Stress

The glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic 2 (G6PC2) gene is expressed specifically in pancreatic islet beta cells. Genome-wide association studies have shown that single nucleotide polymorphisms in the G6PC2 gene are associated with variations in fasting blood glucose (FBG) but not fasting plasma insulin. Molecular analyses examining the functional effects of these single nucleotide polymorphisms demonstrate that elevated G6PC2 expression is associated with elevated FBG. Studies in mice complement these genome-wide association data and show that deletion of the G6pc2 gene lowers FBG without affecting fasting plasma insulin. This suggests that, together with glucokinase, G6PC2 forms a substrate cycle that determines the glucose sensitivity of insulin secretion. Because genome-wide association studies and mouse studies demonstrate that elevated G6PC2 expression raises FBG and because chronically elevated FBG is detrimental to human health, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes, it is unclear why G6PC2 evolved. We show here that the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone strongly induces human G6PC2 promoter activity and endogenous G6PC2 expression in isolated human islets. Acute treatment with dexamethasone selectively induces endogenous G6pc2 expression in 129SvEv but not C57BL/6J mouse pancreas and isolated islets. The difference is due to a single nucleotide polymorphism in the C57BL/6J G6pc2 promoter that abolishes glucocorticoid receptor binding. In 6-hour fasted, nonstressed 129SvEv mice, deletion of G6pc2 lowers FBG. In response to the stress of repeated physical restraint, which is associated with elevated plasma glucocorticoid levels, G6pc2 gene expression is induced and the difference in FBG between wild-type and knockout mice is enhanced. These data suggest that G6PC2 may have evolved to modulate FBG in response to stress.

Novel stable isotope analyses demonstrate significant rates of glucose cycling in mouse pancreatic islets

A polymorphism located in the G6PC2 gene, which encodes an islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit, is the most important common determinant of variations in fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels in humans. Studies of G6pc2 knockout (KO) mice suggest that G6pc2 represents a negative regulator of basal glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) that acts by hydrolyzing glucose-6-phosphate (G6P), thereby reducing glycolytic flux. However, this conclusion conflicts with the very low estimates for the rate of glucose cycling in pancreatic islets, as assessed using radioisotopes. We have reassessed the rate of glucose cycling in pancreatic islets using a novel stable isotope method. The data show much higher levels of glucose cycling than previously reported. In 5 mmol/L glucose, islets from C57BL/6J chow-fed mice cycled ∼16% of net glucose uptake. The cycling rate was further increased at 11 mmol/L glucose. Similar cycling rates were observed using islets from high fat-fed mice. Importantly, glucose cycling was abolished in G6pc2 KO mouse islets, confirming that G6pc2 opposes the action of the glucose sensor glucokinase by hydrolyzing G6P. The demonstration of high rates of glucose cycling in pancreatic islets explains why G6pc2 deletion enhances GSIS and why variants in G6PC2 affect FBG in humans.

Zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8) and β cell function

Human pancreatic β cells have exceptionally high zinc content. In β cells the highest zinc concentration is in insulin secretory granules, from which it is cosecreted with the hormone. Uptake of zinc into secretory granules is mainly mediated by zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8), the product of the SLC30A8 [solute carrier family 30 (zinc transporter), member 8] gene. The minor alleles of several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SLC30A8 are associated with decreased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D), but the precise mechanisms underlying the protective effects remain uncertain. In this article we review current knowledge of the role of ZnT8 in maintaining zinc homeostasis in β cells, its role in glucose metabolism based on knockout mouse studies, and current theories regarding the link between ZnT8 function and T2D.

Moving on from GWAS: functional studies on the G6PC2 gene implicated in the regulation of fasting blood glucose

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have shown that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in G6PC2 are the most important common determinants of variations in fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels. Molecular studies examining the functional impact of these SNPs on G6PC2 gene transcription and splicing suggest that they affect FBG by directly modulating G6PC2 expression. This conclusion is supported by studies on G6pc2 knockout (KO) mice showing that G6pc2 represents a negative regulator of basal glucose-stimulated insulin secretion that acts by hydrolyzing glucose-6-phosphate, thereby reducing glycolytic flux and opposing the action of glucokinase. Suppression of G6PC2 activity might, therefore, represent a novel therapy for lowering FBG and the risk of cardiovascular-associated mortality. GWAS and G6pc2 KO mouse studies also suggest that G6PC2 affects other aspects of beta cell function. The evolutionary benefit conferred by G6PC2 remains unclear, but it is unlikely to be related to its ability to modulate FBG.

Genetic and functional assessment of the role of the rs13431652-A and rs573225-A alleles in the G6PC2 promoter that are strongly associated with elevated fasting glucose levels

OBJECTIVE

Genome-wide association studies have identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs560887, located in a G6PC2 intron that is highly correlated with variations in fasting plasma glucose (FPG). G6PC2 encodes an islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit. This study examines the contribution of two G6PC2 promoter SNPs, rs13431652 and rs573225, to the association signal.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We genotyped 9,532 normal FPG participants (FPG <6.1 mmol/l) for three G6PC2 SNPs, rs13431652 (distal promoter), rs573225 (proximal promoter), rs560887 (3rd intron). We used regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, and BMI to assess the association with FPG and haplotype analyses to assess comparative SNP contributions. Fusion gene and gel retardation analyses characterized the effect of rs13431652 and rs573225 on G6PC2 promoter activity and transcription factor binding.

RESULTS

Genetic analyses provide evidence for a strong contribution of the promoter SNPs to FPG variability at the G6PC2 locus (rs13431652: β = 0.075, P = 3.6 × 10(-35); rs573225 β = 0.073 P = 3.6 × 10(-34)), in addition to rs560887 (β = 0.071, P = 1.2 × 10(-31)). The rs13431652-A and rs573225-A alleles promote increased NF-Y and Foxa2 binding, respectively. The rs13431652-A allele is associated with increased FPG and elevated promoter activity, consistent with the function of G6PC2 in pancreatic islets. In contrast, the rs573225-A allele is associated with elevated FPG but reduced promoter activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Genetic and in situ functional data support a potential role for rs13431652, but not rs573225, as a causative SNP linking G6PC2 to variations in FPG, though a causative role for rs573225 in vivo cannot be ruled out.

Glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit gene family

Glucose-6-phosphatase catalyzes the hydrolysis of glucose 6-phosphate (G6P) to glucose and inorganic phosphate. It is a multicomponent system located in the endoplasmic reticulum that comprises several integral membrane proteins, namely a catalytic subunit (G6PC) and transporters for G6P, inorganic phosphate, and glucose. The G6PC gene family contains three members, designated G6PC, G6PC2, and G6PC3. The tissue-specific expression patterns of these genes differ, and mutations in all three genes have been linked to distinct diseases in humans. This minireview discusses the disease association and transcriptional regulation of the G6PC genes as well as the biological functions of the encoded proteins.

Long-range enhancers are required to maintain expression of the autoantigen islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit-related protein in adult mouse islets in vivo

OBJECTIVE

Islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit-related protein (IGRP) is selectively expressed in islet beta-cells and is a major autoantigen in both mouse and human type 1 diabetes. This study describes the use of a combination of transgenic and transfection approaches to characterize the gene regions that confer the islet-specific expression of IGRP.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Transgenic mice were generated containing the IGRP promoter sequence from -306, -911, or -3911 to +3 ligated to a LacZ reporter gene. Transgene expression was monitored by 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside staining of pancreatic tissue.

RESULTS

In all the transgenic mice, robust LacZ expression was detected in newborn mouse islets, but expression became mosaic as animals aged, suggesting that additional elements are required for the maintenance of IGRP gene expression. VISTA analyses identified two conserved regions in the distal IGRP promoter and one in the third intron. Transfection experiments demonstrated that all three regions confer enhanced luciferase reporter gene expression in beta TC-3 cells when ligated to a minimal IGRP promoter. A transgene containing all three conserved regions was generated by using a bacterial recombination strategy to insert a LacZ cassette into exon 5 of the IGRP gene. Transgenic mice containing a 15-kbp fragment of the IGRP gene were then generated. This transgene conferred LacZ expression in newborn mouse islets; however, expression was still suppressed as animals aged.

CONCLUSIONS

The data suggest that long-range enhancers 5' or 3' of the IGRP gene are required for the maintenance of IGRP gene expression in adult mice.

Deletion of the gene encoding the islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit-related protein autoantigen results in a mild metabolic phenotype

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit-related protein (IGRP, now known as glucose-6-phosphatase, catalytic, 2 [G6PC2]) has recently been identified as a major autoantigen in mouse and human type 1 diabetes. Strategies designed to suppress expression of the gene encoding G6PC2 might therefore be useful in delaying or preventing the onset of this disease. However, since the function of G6PC2 is unclear, the concern with such an approach is that a change in G6PC2 expression might itself have deleterious consequences.

METHODS

To address this concern and assess the physiological function of G6PC2, we generated G6pc2-null mice and performed a phenotypic analysis focusing principally on energy metabolism.

RESULTS

No differences in body weight were observed and no gross anatomical or behavioural changes were evident. In 16-week-old animals, following a 6-h fast, a small but significant decrease in blood glucose was observed in both male (-14%) and female (-11%) G6pc2 (-/-) mice, while female G6pc2 (-/-) mice also exhibited a 12% decrease in plasma triacylglycerol. Plasma cholesterol, glycerol, insulin and glucagon concentrations were unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

These results argue against the possibility of G6PC2 playing a major role in pancreatic islet stimulus secretion coupling or energy homeostasis under physiological conditions imposed by conventional animal housing. This indicates that manipulating the expression of G6PC2 for therapeutic ends may be feasible.

Gluconeogenesis: re-evaluating the FOXO1-PGC-1alpha connection

Increased expression of the gene encoding the enzyme glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) contributes to the increased production of glucose by the liver that occurs in individuals with diabetes. Puigserver et al. show that the transcription factor FOXO1 and the transcriptional co-activator PGC-1alpha act synergistically to stimulate the expression of genes in the gluconeogenesis pathway and propose that PGC-1alpha acts, in part, directly through FOXO1. Here we show that FOXO1 is neither required nor sufficient for the stimulation of G6Pase-luciferase fusion gene expression by PGC-1alpha. Our results indicate that the transcriptional interaction between FOXO1 and PGC-1alpha is indirect.

Deletion of the gene encoding the ubiquitously expressed glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit-related protein (UGRP)/glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit-beta results in lowered plasma cholesterol and elevated glucagon

In liver, glucose-6-phosphatase catalyzes the hydrolysis of glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) to glucose and inorganic phosphate, the final step in the gluconeogenic and glycogenolytic pathways. Mutations in the glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit (G6Pase) give rise to glycogen storage disease (GSD) type 1a, which is characterized in part by hypoglycemia, growth retardation, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hepatic glycogen accumulation. Recently, a novel G6Pase isoform was identified, designated UGRP/G6Pase-beta. The activity of UGRP relative to G6Pase in vitro is disputed, raising the question as to whether G6P is a physiologically important substrate for this protein. To address this issue we have characterized the phenotype of UGRP knock-out mice. G6P hydrolytic activity was decreased by approximately 50% in homogenates of UGRP(-/-) mouse brain relative to wild type tissue, consistent with the ability of UGRP to hydrolyze G6P. In addition, female, but not male, UGRP(-/-) mice exhibit growth retardation as do G6Pase(-/-) mice and patients with GSD type 1a. However, in contrast to G6Pase(-/-) mice and patients with GSD type 1a, UGRP(-/-) mice exhibit no change in hepatic glycogen content, blood glucose, or triglyceride levels. Although UGRP(-/-) mice are not hypoglycemic, female UGRP(-/-) mice have elevated ( approximately 60%) plasma glucagon and reduced ( approximately 20%) plasma cholesterol. We hypothesize that the hyperglucagonemia prevents hypoglycemia and that the hypocholesterolemia is secondary to the hyperglucagonemia. As such, the phenotype of UGRP(-/-) mice is mild, indicating that G6Pase is the major glucose-6-phosphatase of physiological importance for glucose homeostasis in vivo.

Correlation between FOXO1a (FKHR) and FOXO3a (FKHRL1) binding and the inhibition of basal glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit gene transcription by insulin

Insulin inhibits transcription of the genes encoding the glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit (G6Pase), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, and IGF binding protein-1 through insulin response sequences (IRSs) that share the same core sequence, T(G/A)TTTT(G/T). The transcription factors FOXO1a and FOXO3a have been shown to bind these elements, but there are conflicting reports as to whether this binding correlates with the action of insulin on gene transcription. Some researchers concluded, from overexpression experiments using FOXO1a, that binding correlated with the insulin response, whereas others concluded, mainly from gel retardation competition experiments using FOXO3a, that it did not. We show here that, although these factors can differentially activate gene transcription in a context-dependent manner, these conflicting data are not explained by a difference in FOXO1a and FOXO3a binding specificity. Instead, we find that gel retardation competition and binding experiments give different results; the latter reveal a correlation between FOXO1a/3a binding and the inhibition of basal G6Pase gene transcription by insulin. In addition, these data show that the binding of FOXO1a/3a to two adjacent IRSs in the G6Pase promoter is cooperative and that promoter context alters the specific IRS base requirements for FOXO1a-stimulated fusion gene expression. Surprisingly, an analysis of insulin action mediated through the G6Pase and IGF binding protein-1 IRSs in the context of a heterologous thymidine kinase promoter reveals that signaling through the latter does not support the accepted model for insulin-stimulated FOXO nuclear exclusion.

Characterizing the Phospholipid Profiles in Mammalian Tissues by MALDI FTMS

Discussed here is an analytical method for profiling lipids and phospholipids directly from mammalian tissues excised from Mus musculus (house mouse). Biochemical analysis was accomplished through the use of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) Fourier transform mass spectrometry, where whole tissue sections of mouse brain, heart, and liver were investigated. Lipid and phospholipid ions create complex MALDI mass spectra containing multiple ions with different m/z values corresponding to the same fundamental chemical species. When a computational sorting approach is used to group these ions, the standard deviation for observed relative chemical abundance can be reduced to 6.02%. Relative standard deviations of 10% are commonly accepted for standard chromatographic phospholipid analyses. Average mass measurement accuracy for 232 spectra representing three tissue types from 12 specimens was calculated to be 0.0053 Da. Further it is observed, that the data and the analysis between all the animals have near-identical phospholipid contents in their brain, heart, and liver tissues, respectively. In addition to the need to accurately measure relative abundances of phospholipid species, it is essential to have adequate mass resolution for complete and accurate overall analysis. It is reasonable to make mass composition assignments with spectral resolving power greater than 8000. However, results from the present study reveal 14 instances (C12 carbon isotope) of multiple m/z ions having the same nominal value that require greater resolution in order that overlap will not occur. Spectra measured here have an average resolving power of 12 000. It is established that high mass resolution and mass accuracy coupled with MALDI ionization provide for rapid and accurate phospholipid analysis of mammalian tissue sections.

The glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit gene promoter contains both positive and negative glucocorticoid response elements

Glucose-6-phosphatase catalyzes the final step in the gluconeogenic and glycogenolytic pathways. Glucocorticoids stimulate glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit (G6Pase) gene transcription and studies performed in H4IIE hepatoma cells demonstrate the presence of a glucocorticoid response unit (GRU) in the proximal G6Pase promoter. In vitro deoxyribonuclease I footprinting analyses show that the glucocorticoid receptor binds to three glucocorticoid response elements (GREs) in the -231 to -129 promoter region and transfection results indicate all three contribute to glucocorticoid induction of G6Pase gene transcription. Furthermore, binding sites for hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 and -4, CRE binding factors, and FKHR (FOXO1a) are required for the full glucocorticoid response. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays show that dexamethasone treatment stimulates glucocorticoid receptor and FKHR binding to the endogenous G6Pase promoter. Surprisingly, although glucocorticoids stimulate G6Pase gene transcription, deoxyribonuclease I footprinting and transfection analyses demonstrate the presence of a negative GRE and an associated negative accessory factor element in the -271 to -225 promoter region, which inhibit the glucocorticoid response. This appears to be the first report of a promoter that contains both positive and negative GREs, which function within the same cellular environment. We hypothesize that targeted signaling to the negative accessory element within the GRU may provide tight regulation of the glucocorticoid stimulation.

Insulin-mediated activation of activator protein-1 through the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway stimulates collagenase-1 gene transcription in the MES 13 mesangial cell line

The initial stages of diabetic nephropathy are characterized, in part, by expansion of the mesangial matrix and thickening of the glomerular basement membrane which are caused by increased extracellular matrix (ECM) protein synthesis and reduced degradation, a consequence of decreased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. These changes have been largely attributed to the effects of hyperglycemia such that the potential contribution of impaired insulin action to alterations in the ECM have not been studied in detail. We have shown here that insulin stimulates collagenase-1 fusion gene transcription in the MES 13 mesangial-derived cell line. Multiple collagenase-1 promoter elements are required for the full stimulatory effect of insulin but the action of insulin appears to be mediated through an activator protein-1 (AP-1) motif. Thus, mutation of this AP-1 motif abolishes insulin-stimulated collagenase fusion gene transcription and, in isolation, this AP-1 motif can mediate a stimulatory effect of insulin on the expression of a heterologous fusion gene. This suggested that the other collagenase-1 promoter elements that are required for the full stimulatory effect of insulin probably bind accessory factors that enhance the effect of insulin mediated through the AP-1 motif. In MES 13 cells, the AP-1 motif is bound by Fra-1, Fra-2, Jun B and Jun D. Stimulation of collagenase-1 fusion gene transcription by insulin requires activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) pathway since inhibition of MEK-1 and -2 blocks this effect. The potential significance of these observations with respect to a role for insulin in the pathophysiology of diabetic glomerulosclerosis is discussed.

The proximal islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit-related protein autoantigen promoter is sufficient to initiate but not maintain transgene expression in mouse islets in vivo

We have previously reported the discovery of an islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit-related protein (IGRP) that is predominantly expressed in islet beta-cells. IGRP has recently been identified as a major autoantigen in a mouse model of type 1 diabetes. The analysis of IGRP-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) fusion gene expression in transiently transfected islet-derived hamster insulinoma tumor and betaTC-3 cells revealed that the promoter region located between -306 and +3 confers high-level reporter gene expression. To determine whether this same promoter region is sufficient to confer islet beta-cell-specific gene expression in vivo, it was ligated to a beta-galactosidase reporter gene, and transgenic mice expressing the resulting fusion gene were generated. In two independent founder lines, this -306 to +3 promoter region was sufficient to drive beta-galactosidase expression in newborn mouse islets, predominantly in beta-cells, which was initiated during the expected time in development, around embryonic day 12.5. However, unlike the endogenous IGRP gene, beta-galactosidase expression was also detected in the cerebellum. Moreover, beta-galactosidase expression was almost completely absent in adult mouse islets, suggesting that cis-acting elements elsewhere in the IGRP gene are required for determining appropriate IGRP tissue-specific expression and for the maintenance of IGRP gene expression in adult mice.

Differential regulation of islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit-related protein gene transcription by Pax-6 and Pdx-1

Islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit-related protein (IGRP) is selectively expressed in islet beta cells and is a major autoantigen in a mouse model of type I diabetes. The analysis of IGRP-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) fusion gene expression through transient transfection of islet-derived betaTC-3 cells revealed that a promoter region, located between -273 and -254, is essential for high IGRP-CAT fusion gene expression. The sequence of this promoter region does not match that for any known islet-enriched transcription factor. However, data derived from gel retardation assays, a modified ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction in situ footprinting technique and a SDS-polyacrylamide separation/renaturation procedure led to the hypothesis that this protein might be Pax-6, a conclusion that was confirmed by gel supershift assays. Additional experiments revealed a second non-consensus Pax-6 binding site in the -306/-274 IGRP promoter region. Pax-6 binding to these elements is unusual in that it appears to require both its homeo and paired domains. Interestingly, loss of Pax-6 binding to the -273/ -246 element is compensated by Pax-6 binding to the -306/-274 element and vice versa. Gel retardation assays revealed that another islet-enriched transcription factor, namely Pdx-1, binds four non-consensus elements in the IGRP promoter. However, mutation of these elements has little effect on IGRP fusion gene expression. Although chromatin immunoprecipitation assays show that both Pax-6 and Pdx-1 bind to the IGRP promoter within intact cells, in contrast to the critical role of these factors in beta cell-specific insulin gene expression, IGRP gene transcription appears to require Pax-6 but not Pdx-1.

Selective stimulation of G-6-Pase catalytic subunit but not G-6-P transporter gene expression by glucagon in vivo and cAMP in situ

We recently compared the regulation of glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase) catalytic subunit and glucose 6-phosphate (G-6-P) transporter gene expression by insulin in conscious dogs in vivo (Hornbuckle LA, Edgerton DS, Ayala JE, Svitek CA, Neal DW, Cardin S, Cherrington AD, and O'Brien RM. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 281: E713-E725, 2001). In pancreatic-clamped, euglycemic conscious dogs, a 5-h period of hypoinsulinemia led to a marked increase in hepatic G-6-Pase catalytic subunit mRNA; however, G-6-P transporter mRNA was unchanged. Here, we demonstrate, again using pancreatic-clamped, conscious dogs, that glucagon is a candidate for the factor responsible for this selective induction. Thus glucagon stimulated G-6-Pase catalytic subunit but not G-6-P transporter gene expression in vivo. Furthermore, cAMP stimulated endogenous G-6-Pase catalytic subunit gene expression in HepG2 cells but had no effect on G-6-P transporter gene expression. The cAMP response element (CRE) that mediates this induction was identified through transient transfection of HepG2 cells with G-6-Pase catalytic subunit-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase fusion genes. Gel retardation assays demonstrate that this CRE binds several transcription factors including CRE-binding protein and CCAAT enhancer-binding protein.

Identification and characterization of a cDNA and the gene encoding the mouse ubiquitously expressed glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit-related protein

Glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) catalyzes the final step in the gluconeogenic and glycogenolytic pathways, the hydrolysis of glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) to glucose and phosphate. This paper describes the identification and characterization of a cDNA and the gene encoding the mouse ubiquitously expressed G6Pase catalytic subunit-related protein (UGRP). The open reading frame of this UGRP cDNA encodes a protein (346 amino acids (aa); Mr 38,755) that shares 36% overall identity (56% similarity) with the mouse G6Pase catalytic subunit (357 aa; Mr 40,454). UGRP exhibits a similar predicted transmembrane topology and conservation of many of the catalytically important residues with the G6Pase catalytic subunit; however, unlike the G6Pase catalytic subunit, UGRP does not catalyze G6P hydrolysis and does not contain a carboxy-terminal di-lysine endoplasmic reticulum retention signal. UGRP mRNA was detected by RNA blot analysis in every mouse tissue examined with the highest expression in heart, brain, testis and kidney. Database analysis showed that the mouse UGRP gene is composed of six exons, spans approximately 4.2 kbp of genomic DNA and is located on chromosome 11 along with the G6Pase catalytic subunit gene. The UGRP gene transcription start sites were mapped by primer extension analysis, and the activity of the mouse UGRP gene promoter was analyzed using luciferase fusion gene constructs. In contrast to the G6Pase catalytic subunit gene promoter, the UGRP promoter was highly active in all cell lines examined.

Upstream stimulatory factor (USF) and neurogenic differentiation/beta-cell E box transactivator 2 (NeuroD/BETA2) contribute to islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic-subunit-related protein (IGRP) gene expression

Islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) catalytic-subunit-related protein (IGRP) is a homologue of the catalytic subunit of G6Pase, the enzyme that catalyses the final step of the gluconeogenic pathway. The analysis of IGRP-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) fusion-gene expression through transient transfection of islet-derived beta TC-3 cells revealed that multiple promoter regions, located between -306 and -97, are required for maximal IGRP-CAT fusion-gene expression. These regions correlated with trans -acting factor-binding sites in the IGRP promoter that were identified in beta TC-3 cells in situ using the ligation-mediated PCR (LMPCR) footprinting technique. However, the LMPCR data also revealed additional trans -acting factor-binding sites located between -97 and +1 that overlap two E-box motifs, even though this region by itself conferred minimal fusion-gene expression. The data presented here show that these E-box motifs are important for IGRP promoter activity, but that their action is only manifest in the presence of distal promoter elements. Thus mutation of either E-box motif in the context of the -306 to +3 IGRP promoter region reduces fusion-gene expression. These two E-box motifs have distinct sequences and preferentially bind NeuroD/BETA2 (neurogenic differentiation/beta-cell E box transactivator 2) and upstream stimulatory factor (USF) in vitro, consistent with the binding of both factors to the IGRP promoter in situ, as determined using the chromatin-immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. Based on experiments using mutated IGRP promoter constructs, we propose a model to explain how the ubiquitously expressed USF could contribute to islet-specific IGRP gene expression.

The three insulin response sequences in the glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit gene promoter are functionally distinct

Glucose-6-phosphatase catalyzes the terminal step in the gluconeogenic and glycogenolytic pathways. In HepG2 cells, the maximum repression of basal glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit (G6Pase) gene transcription by insulin requires two distinct promoter regions, designated A (located between -231 and -199) and B (located between -198 and -159), that together form an insulin response unit. Region A binds hepatocyte nuclear factor-1, which acts as an accessory factor to enhance the effect of insulin, mediated through region B, on G6Pase gene transcription. We have previously shown that region B binds the transcriptional activator FKHR (FOXO1a) in vitro. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrate that FKHR also binds the G6Pase promoter in situ and that insulin inhibits this binding. Region B contains three insulin response sequences (IRSs), designated IRS 1, 2, and 3, that share the core sequence T(G/A)TTTT. However, detailed analyses reveal that these three G6Pase IRSs are functionally distinct. Thus, FKHR binds IRS 1 with high affinity and IRS 2 with low affinity but it does not bind IRS 3. Moreover, in the context of the G6Pase promoter, IRS 1 and 2, but not IRS 3, are required for the insulin response. Surprisingly, IRS 3, as well as IRS 1 and IRS 2, can each confer an inhibitory effect of insulin on the expression of a heterologous fusion gene, indicating that, in this context, a transcription factor other than FKHR, or its orthologs, can also mediate an insulin response through the T(G/A)TTTT motif.

Hepatocyte nuclear factor-4 alpha mediates the stimulatory effect of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator-1 alpha (PGC-1 alpha) on glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit gene transcription in H4IIE cells

It has recently been shown that adenoviral-mediated expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator-1 alpha (PGC-1 alpha) in hepatocytes stimulates glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit (G6Pase) gene expression. A combination of fusion gene, gel retardation and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that, in H4IIE cells, PGC-1 alpha mediates this stimulation through an evolutionarily conserved region of the G6Pase promoter that binds hepatocyte nuclear factor-4 alpha.

Identification and characterization of a human cDNA and gene encoding a ubiquitously expressed glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit-related protein

Glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) catalyzes the final step in the gluconeogenic and glycogenolytic pathways, the hydrolysis of glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) to glucose and phosphate. This paper describes the identification and characterization of a human cDNA and gene encoding a ubiquitously expressed G6Pase catalytic subunit-related protein (UGRP). The ORF of this UGRP cDNA encodes a protein (346 amino acids (aa); M(r) 38 709) which shares 36% overall identity to the human G6Pase catalytic subunit (357 aa; M(r) 40 487). UGRP exhibits a similar predicted transmembrane topology and conservation of many of the catalytically important residues with the G6Pase catalytic subunit; however, unlike the G6Pase catalytic subunit, UGRP does not catalyze G6P hydrolysis. UGRP mRNA was detected by RNA blot analysis in every tissue examined with the highest expression in muscle. Database analysis showed that the human UGRP gene is composed of six exons, spans approximately 5.4 kbp of genomic DNA and is located on chromosome 17q21 with the G6Pase catalytic subunit gene. The UGRP gene transcription start sites were mapped by primer extension analysis, and the activity of the UGRP gene promoter was analyzed using luciferase fusion gene constructs. In contrast to the G6Pase catalytic subunit gene promoter, the UGRP promoter was highly active in all cell lines examined.

Characterization and immunobiology of house dust mite allergens

The examination of house dust mite extracts has indicated that over 30 different proteins can induce IgE antibody in patients allergic to the house dust mite. There are however dominant specificities especially the group 1 and 2 allergens which can account for much of the allergenicity of extracts. Of the 19 denominated allergens, the major IgE binding has been reported for the group 1, 2, 3, 9, 11, 14 and 15 allergens. The high-molecular-weight group 11, 14 and 15 allergens have only recently been described and although high IgE binding has been anticipated from immunoblotting, there is a need for considerable corroboration. Similarly, the study of the group 3 and 9 serine protease allergens has been incomplete. The group 4, 5, 7 and 8 allergens have shown intermediate IgE binding and the group 10 tropomyosins are of interest because of their potential cross-reactivity with allergen from disparate species. Although the progress with the production of recombinant group 1 allergens has been recent, many of the allergens can be produced as high IgE-binding polypeptides. The tertiary structure of the group 2 allergens has been determined from recombinant proteins and they are an excellent model for the investigation of modified allergens. An unexpected property of the group 1, 2 and 3 allergens has been the high degree of polymorphism found by cDNA analysis. It has however been possible to identify sequences to represent the variation in the natural allergens. The group 7 and 14 allergens show secondary modifications which vary in different extracts creating batch variation. While some estimate of the importance of allergens can be obtained from IgE binding, few analyses of T-cell responses have been made and these regulate both the development of, and the protection from sensitization.

Accessory elements, flanking DNA sequence, and promoter context play key roles in determining the efficacy of insulin and phorbol ester signaling through the malic enzyme and collagenase-1 AP-1 motifs

Insulin stimulates malic enzyme (ME)-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) and collagenase-1-CAT fusion gene expression in H4IIE cells through identical activator protein-1 (AP-1) motifs. In contrast, insulin and phorbol esters only stimulate collagenase-1-CAT and not ME-CAT fusion gene expression in HeLa cells. The experiments in this article were designed to explore the molecular basis for this differential cell type- and gene-specific regulation. The results highlight the influence of three variables, namely promoter context, AP-1 flanking sequence, and accessory elements that modulate insulin and phorbol ester signaling through the AP-1 motif. Thus, fusion gene transfection and proteolytic clipping gel retardation assays suggest that the AP-1 flanking sequence affects the conformation of AP-1 binding to the collagenase-1 and ME AP-1 motifs such that it selectively binds the latter in a fully activated state. However, this influence of ME AP-1 flanking sequence is dependent on promoter context. Thus, the ME AP-1 motif will mediate both an insulin and phorbol ester response in HeLa cells when introduced into either the collagenase-1 promoter or a specific heterologous promoter. But even in the context of the collagenase-1 promoter, the effects of both insulin and phorbol esters, mediated through the ME AP-1 motif are dependent on accessory factors.

Selective tonic inhibition of G-6-Pase catalytic subunit, but not G-6-P transporter, gene expression by insulin in vivo

The regulation of glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase) catalytic subunit and glucose 6-phosphate (G-6-P) transporter gene expression by insulin in conscious dogs in vivo and in tissue culture cells in situ were compared. In pancreatic-clamped, euglycemic conscious dogs, a 5-h period of hypoinsulinemia led to a marked increase in hepatic G-6-Pase catalytic subunit mRNA; however, G-6-P transporter mRNA was unchanged. In contrast, a 5-h period of hyperinsulinemia resulted in a suppression of both G-6-Pase catalytic subunit and G-6-P transporter gene expression. Similarly, insulin suppressed G-6-Pase catalytic subunit and G-6-P transporter gene expression in H4IIE hepatoma cells. However, the magnitude of the insulin effect was much greater on G-6-Pase catalytic subunit gene expression and was manifested more rapidly. Furthermore, cAMP stimulated G-6-Pase catalytic subunit expression in H4IIE cells and in primary hepatocytes but had no effect on G-6-P transporter expression. These results suggest that the relative control strengths of the G-6-Pase catalytic subunit and G-6-P transporter in the G-6-Pase reaction are likely to vary depending on the in vivo environment.

Insulin-regulated gene expression

Insulin regulates the expression of more than 150 genes, indicating that this is a major action of this hormone. At least eight distinct consensus insulin response sequence (IRSs) have been defined through which insulin can regulate gene transcription. These include the serum response element, the activator protein 1 ('AP-1') motif, the Ets motif, the E-box motif and the thyroid transcription factor 2 ('TTF-2') motif. All of these IRSs mediate stimulatory effects of insulin on gene transcription. In contrast, an element with the consensus sequence T(G/A)TTT(T/G)(G/T), which we refer to as the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK)-like motif, mediates the inhibitory effect of insulin on transcription of the genes encoding PEPCK, insulin-like-growth-factor-binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1), tyrosine aminotransferase and the glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) catalytic subunit. The forkhead transcription factor FKHR has recently been shown to bind this PEPCK-like IRS motif and a model has been proposed in which insulin inhibits gene transcription by stimulating the phosphorylation and nuclear export of FKHR. Our results suggest that this model is consistent with the action of insulin on transcription of the gene encoding IGFBP-1 but not that of the G6Pase catalytic subunit. Thus, even though the IRSs in both promoters seem identical, they are functionally distinct. In addition, in the G6Pase catalytic subunit promoter, hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 ('HNF-1'), acts as an accessory factor to enhance the effect of insulin mediated through the IRS.

Cloning and characterization of the human and rat islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit-related protein (IGRP) genes

Islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) catalytic subunit-related protein (IGRP) is a homolog of the catalytic subunit of G6Pase, the enzyme that catalyzes the terminal step of the gluconeogenic pathway. Its catalytic activity, however, has not been defined. Since IGRP gene expression is restricted to islets, this suggests a possible role in the regulation of islet metabolism and, hence, insulin secretion induced by metabolites. We report here a comparative analysis of the human, mouse, and rat IGRP genes. These studies aimed to identify conserved sequences that may be critical for IGRP function and that specify its restricted tissue distribution. The single copy human IGRP gene has five exons of similar length and coding sequence to the mouse IGRP gene and is located on human chromosome 2q28-32 adjacent to the myosin heavy chain 1B gene. In contrast, the rat IGRP gene does not appear to encode a protein as a result of a series of deletions and insertions in the coding sequence. Moreover, rat IGRP mRNA, unlike mouse and human IGRP mRNA, is not expressed in islets or islet-derived cell lines, an observation that was traced by fusion gene analysis to a mutation of the TATA box motif in the mouse/human IGRP promoters to TGTA in the rat sequence. The results provide a framework for the further analysis of the molecular basis for the tissue-restricted expression of the IGRP gene and the identification of key amino acid sequences that determine its biological activity.

Protein kinase A phosphorylates hepatocyte nuclear factor-6 and stimulates glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit gene transcription

Glucose-6-phosphatase is a multicomponent system that catalyzes the terminal step in gluconeogenesis. To examine the effect of the cAMP signal transduction pathway on expression of the gene encoding the mouse glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit (G6Pase), the liver-derived HepG2 cell line was transiently co-transfected with a series of G6Pase-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase fusion genes and an expression vector encoding the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA). PKA markedly stimulated G6Pase-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase fusion gene expression, and mutational analysis of the G6Pase promoter revealed that multiple cis-acting elements were required for this response. One of these elements was mapped to the G6Pase promoter region between -114 and -99, and this sequence was shown to bind hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)-6. This HNF-6 binding site was able to confer a stimulatory effect of PKA on the expression of a heterologous fusion gene; a mutation that abolished HNF-6 binding also abolished the stimulatory effect of PKA. Further investigation revealed that PKA phosphorylated HNF-6 in vitro. Site-directed mutation of three consensus PKA phosphorylation sites in the HNF-6 carboxyl terminus markedly reduced this phosphorylation. These results suggest that the stimulatory effect of PKA on G6Pase fusion gene transcription in HepG2 cells may be mediated in part by the phosphorylation of HNF-6.

Characterization of the mouse islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit-related protein gene promoter by in situ footprinting: correlation with fusion gene expression in the islet-derived betaTC-3 and hamster insulinoma tumor cell lines

Glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) is a multicomponent system located in the endoplasmic reticulum comprising a catalytic subunit and transporters for glucose-6-phosphate, inorganic phosphate, and glucose. We have recently cloned a novel gene that encodes an islet-specific G6Pase catalytic subunit-related protein (IGRP) (Ebert et al., Diabetes 48:543-551, 1999). To begin to investigate the molecular basis for the islet-specific expression of the IGRP gene, a series of truncated IGRP-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) fusion genes were transiently transfected into the islet-derived mouse betaTC-3 and hamster insulinoma tumor cell lines. In both cell lines, basal fusion gene expression decreased upon progressive deletion of the IGRP promoter sequence between -306 and -66, indicating that multiple promoter regions are required for maximal IGRP-CAT expression. The ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction footprinting technique was then used to compare trans-acting factor binding to the IGRP promoter in situ in betaTC-3 cells, which express the endogenous IGRP gene, and adrenocortical Y1 cells, which do not. Multiple trans-acting factor binding sites were selectively identified in betaTC-3 cells that correlate with regions of the IGRP promoter identified as being required for basal IGRP-CAT fusion gene expression. The data suggest that hepatocyte nuclear factor 3 may be important for basal IGRP gene expression, as it is for glucagon, GLUT2, and Pdx-1 gene expression. In addition, binding sites for several trans-acting factors not previously associated with islet gene expression, as well as binding sites for potentially novel proteins, were identified.

Differential role of hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 in the regulation of glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit gene transcription by cAMP in liver- and kidney-derived cell lines

In liver and kidney, the terminal step in gluconeogenesis is catalyzed by glucose-6-phosphatase. To examine the effect of the cAMP signal transduction pathway on transcription of the gene encoding the catalytic subunit of glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase), G6Pase-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) fusion genes were transiently transfected into either the liver-derived HepG2 or kidney-derived LLC-PK cell line. Co-transfection of an expression vector encoding the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) markedly stimulated G6Pase-CAT fusion gene expression, and mutational analysis of the G6Pase promoter revealed that multiple regions are required for this PKA response in both the HepG2 and LLC-PK cell lines. A sequence in the G6Pase promoter that resembles a cAMP response element is required for the full PKA response in both HepG2 and LLC-PK cells. However, in LLC-PK cells, but not in HepG2 cells, a hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 (HNF-1) binding site was critical for the full induction of G6Pase-CAT expression by PKA. Changing this HNF-1 motif to that for the yeast transcription factor GAL4 reduces the PKA response in LLC-PK cells to the same degree as deleting the HNF-1 site. However, co-transfection of this mutated construct with chimeric proteins comprising the GAL4-DNA binding domain ligated to the coding sequence for HNF-1alpha, HNF-1beta, HNF-3, or HNF-4 completely restored the PKA response. Thus, we hypothesize that, in LLC-PK cells, HNF-1 is acting as an accessory factor to enhance PKA signaling through the cAMP response element by altering G6Pase promoter conformation or accessibility rather than specifically affecting some component of the PKA signal transduction pathway.

Reaction with, and fine structural recognition of polyamines by human IgE antibodies

Human IgE antibodies from nine allergic subjects were found to react with poly-L-lysine (PLL) and other polyamines. Radioimmunoassay inhibition studies indicated that the two amino groups, but not the carboxyl, in lysine contributed to the antibody binding and 4-aminomethyl-1,8-octanediamine, a compound containing three primary amino groups, was a better inhibitor than compounds containing only two primary amino groups. Ethylamine showed weak but clear inhibition indicating that even a single amino group could bind to the antibody combining site. Substituted ethanolamine and quaternary ammonium compounds were well recognized by some sera but with others, substitution hampered recognition. Inhibition studies with compounds containing an amino and a carboxyl group at different distances revealed that an adjacent carboxyl group interfered with recognition of the amino group by some IgE antibodies. IgE binding to PLL was examined at different pHs and ionic strengths. Binding was greatest at pH 5-6 to 8 and decreased markedly outside this range. Ionic strengths higher than 0.3 M significantly diminished the binding. These results indicated that binding of specific antibody to polyamine was due to electrostatic interactions of positively charged amino groups in the polyamine with the antibody combining site. These results may be relevant to mechanisms underlying recognition of some allergens in some atopic conditions.

Allergen-specific production of interferon-gamma by peripheral blood mononuclear cells and CD8 T cells in allergic disease and following immunotherapy

BACKGROUND

CD8 T cells are important immunoregulatory cells in animal models of allergic disease, but their role in human allergic immune responses has not been defined. With the development of novel immunotherapeutic reagents, it is clearly important to ascertain whether CD8 T-cell responses are altered following conventional allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) and hence targets for future developments/strategies.

OBJECTIVE

To study the allergen-specific cytokine release of freshly isolated CD8 T cells from the blood of separate groups of house dust mite- (HDM) allergic patients, patients post-SIT and control nonatopic donors.

METHODS

CD8 T cells were isolated by positive selection with immunomagnetic beads and cultured with the affinity purified major mite allergen Der p 1 or with different mitogens, using irradiated autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells as antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Supernatants were collected at a number of time points and assayed by ELISA for the cytokines interleukin (IL) -4, IL-5 and interferon-gamma (IFNgamma).

RESULTS

CD8 T cells stimulated with Der p 1 produced significant quantities of IFNgamma with cells from HDM-allergic subjects releasing considerably more IFNgamma than cells from nonatopic subjects, an average of 804 +/- 283 pg/mL of supernatant compared with 30.2 +/- 18.8 pg/mL (P = 0.006). The cytokine was detected in cultures of 16/17 of the allergic subjects and 4/7 of the nonatopic. CD8 T cells from 6/10 patients who had received HDM-SIT released IFNgamma at an average of 363 +/- 202 pg/mL, which was less than the allergic group but still higher than the nonatopic (P = 0.05). Equivalent levels of IFNgamma were detected when the cells were stimulated with the mitogen PHA and this was the same in all groups. Reliable allergen-specific release of significant quantities of IL-4 or IL-5 was not detected from CD8 T cells.

CONCLUSION

Allergen-specific IFNgamma is produced at far greater levels from CD8 T cells of HDM-sensitive allergic patients than from nonatopic control individuals and this level is reduced following SIT.

Murine allergic respiratory responses to the major house dust mite allergen Der p 1

BACKGROUND

Although many studies have examined chronic asthma, limited data exist on acute immunopathogenic events induced by allergens. The aim of the study was to investigate the acute cellular, serologic and histopathologic events in airway inflammation produced by intranasal challenge of mice sensitised to the major house dust mite allergen Der p 1.

METHODS

C57BL/6 mice were immunised subcutaneously with Der p 1 in alum. Mice were bled and challenged intranasally with Der p 1 on day 14 and killed on day 17. Lungs were fixed in situ, processed and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. The degree of inflammation and eosinophil infiltration was quantified by image analysis. Specific IgE was determined by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. Cells from spleen and draining lymph nodes were cultured for 24 h with Der p 1, and IL-3/GM-CSF released into supernatants was measured by bioassay.

RESULTS

Intranasal challenge of sensitised mice induced eosinophilic influx into the large and small airways and the alveolar regions of the lung, mucus plugging and in severe cases numerous Charcot-Leyden crystals. The quantitation of the inflammation induced by different sensitisation and challenge doses showed that optimal inflammation could be produced using only 1 microg of allergen for both sensitisation and challenge. The degree of inflammation was not related to the titre of IgE antibody and was indeed produced in its absence. T cell reactivity of spleen cells to the allergen was decreased suggesting cell migration or inactivation.

CONCLUSIONS

Mice sensitised and challenged intranasally with as little as 1 microg of Der p 1 produced an extensive pulmonary eosinophilic inflammation which shared many of the features of the inflammation found in asthma. The small amount of allergens required and the use of intranasal challenge should provide a useful model.

Conservation of an insulin response unit between mouse and human glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit gene promoters: transcription factor FKHR binds the insulin response sequence

Because overexpression of the glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit (G-6-Pase) in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes may contribute to the characteristic increased rate of hepatic glucose production, we have investigated whether the insulin response unit (IRU) identified in the mouse G-6-Pase promoter is conserved in the human promoter. A series of human G-6-Pase-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) fusion genes was transiently transfected into human HepG2 hepatoma cells, and the effect of insulin on basal CAT expression was analyzed. The results suggest that the IRU identified in the mouse promoter is conserved in the human promoter, but that an upstream multimerized insulin response sequence (IRS) motif that is only found in the human promoter appears to be functionally inactive. The G-6-Pase IRU comprises two distinct promoter regions, designated A and B. Region B contains an IRS, whereas region A acts as an accessory element to enhance the effect of insulin, mediated through region B, on basal G-6-Pase gene transcription. We have previously shown that the accessory factor binding region A is hepatocyte nuclear factor-1, and we show here that the forkhead protein FKHR is a candidate for the insulin-responsive transcription factor binding region B.