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Noguchi GM, Castillo VC, Donaldson CJ, Flisher MR, Momen AT, Saghatelian A, Huising MO. Urocortin 3 contributes to paracrine inhibition of islet alpha cells in mice. J Endocrinol 2024; 261:e240018. [PMID: 38593829 DOI: 10.1530/joe-24-0018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic alpha cell activity and glucagon secretion lower as glucose levels increase. While part of the decrease is regulated by glucose itself, paracrine signaling by their neighboring beta and delta cells also plays an important role. Somatostatin from delta cells is an important local inhibitor of alpha cells at high glucose. Additionally, urocortin 3 (UCN3) is a hormone that is co-released from beta cells with insulin and acts locally to potentiate somatostatin secretion from delta cells. UCN3 thus inhibits insulin secretion via a negative feedback loop with delta cells, but its role with respect to alpha cells and glucagon secretion is not understood. We hypothesize that the somatostatin-driven glucagon inhibition at high glucose is regulated in part by UCN3 from beta cells. Here, we use a combination of live functional Ca2+ and cAMP imaging as well as direct glucagon secretion measurement, all from alpha cells in intact mouse islets, to determine the contributions of UCN3 to alpha cell behavior. Exogenous UCN3 treatment decreased alpha cell Ca2+ and cAMP levels and inhibited glucagon release. Blocking endogenous UCN3 signaling increased alpha cell Ca2+ by 26.8 ± 7.6%, but this did not result in increased glucagon release at high glucose. Furthermore, constitutive deletion of Ucn3 did not increase Ca2+ activity or glucagon secretion relative to controls. UCN3 is thus capable of inhibiting mouse alpha cells, but, given the subtle effects of endogenous UCN3 signaling on alpha cells, we propose that UCN3-driven somatostatin may serve to regulate local paracrine glucagon levels in the islet instead of inhibiting gross systemic glucagon release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glyn M Noguchi
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology & Behavior, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Vincent C Castillo
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology & Behavior, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | | | - Marcus R Flisher
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology & Behavior, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Ariana T Momen
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology & Behavior, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Alan Saghatelian
- Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Mark O Huising
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology & Behavior, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
- Department of Physiology & Membrane Biology, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
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Sobrido-Cameán D, Anadón R, Barreiro-Iglesias A. Expression of Urocortin 3 mRNA in the Central Nervous System of the Sea Lamprey Petromyzon marinus. Biology (Basel) 2021; 10:biology10100978. [PMID: 34681077 PMCID: PMC8533218 DOI: 10.3390/biology10100978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we analyzed the organization of urocortin 3 (Ucn3)-expressing neuronal populations in the brain of the adult sea lamprey by means of in situ hybridization. We also studied the brain of larval sea lampreys to establish whether this prosocial neuropeptide is expressed differentially in two widely different phases of the sea lamprey life cycle. In adult sea lampreys, Ucn3 transcript expression was observed in neurons of the striatum, prethalamus, nucleus of the medial longitudinal fascicle, torus semicircularis, isthmic reticular formation, interpeduncular nucleus, posterior rhombencephalic reticular formation and nucleus of the solitary tract. Interestingly, in larval sea lampreys, only three regions showed Ucn3 expression, namely the prethalamus, the nucleus of the medial longitudinal fascicle and the posterior rhombencephalic reticular formation. A comparison with distributions of Ucn3 in other vertebrates revealed poor conservation of Ucn3 expression during vertebrate evolution. The large qualitative differences in Ucn3 expression observed between larval and adult phases suggest that the maturation of neuroregulatory circuits in the striatum, torus semicircularis and hindbrain chemosensory systems is closely related to profound life-style changes occurring after the transformation from larval to adult life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Sobrido-Cameán
- Department of Functional Biology, CIBUS, Faculty of Biology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (D.S.-C.); (R.A.)
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - Ramón Anadón
- Department of Functional Biology, CIBUS, Faculty of Biology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (D.S.-C.); (R.A.)
| | - Antón Barreiro-Iglesias
- Department of Functional Biology, CIBUS, Faculty of Biology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (D.S.-C.); (R.A.)
- Correspondence:
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Liu S, Karo A, Agterberg S, Hua H, Bhargava A. Effects of stress-related peptides on chloride secretion in the mouse proximal colon. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2021; 33:e14021. [PMID: 33118282 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.14021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stress increases intestinal secretion and exacerbates symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Peripherally derived corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is known to mediate stress-induced intestinal secretion, presumably by activation of CRF1 receptors in the gut. The present study aimed to ascertain the role of CRF2 activation in intestinal secretion by three other members of CRF peptide family, urocortin (UCN) 1-3, in wild type (WT) and CRF2 knockout (Crhr2-/- ) mice. METHODS Mucosal/submucosal preparations from proximal colon of WT and Crhr2-/- mice of both sexes were mounted in Ussing chambers for measurement of short-circuit current (Isc ) as an indicator of ion secretion. KEY RESULTS Male mice demonstrated a significantly higher baseline Isc than female in both WT and Crhr2-/- genotypes. CRF and UCN1-3 (1 μM) caused greater increases in colonic Isc (ΔIsc ) in male than female. Colonic Isc response to the selective CRF1 agonist, stressin1, was similar in both sexes. In male mice, the selective CRF2 agonists (UCN2 and UCN3) caused significantly greater ΔIsc than CRF and stressin1. UCN2- and UCN3-evoked ΔISC was significantly reduced in preparations pretreated with the selective CRF2 antagonist antisauvagine-30 and in Crhr2-/- mice. The prosecretory effects of urocortins were due to increases in Cl- secretion and involved enteric neurons and mast cells. CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCE The findings revealed sex differences in baseline colonic secretion and responses to stress-related peptides. CRF2 receptors play a more prominent role in colonic secretion in male mice. The greater baseline secretion and responses to UCNs may contribute to the higher prevalence of diarrhea-predominant IBS in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumei Liu
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Health, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, WI, USA
| | - Aaron Karo
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Health, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, WI, USA
| | - Sita Agterberg
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Health, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, WI, USA
| | - Howard Hua
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Health, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, WI, USA
| | - Aditi Bhargava
- Department of OBGYN, Center for Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Alarslan P, Unal Kocabas G, Demir I, Guler A, Bozkaya G, Aslanipour B, Calan M. Increased urocortin 3 levels are associated with the risk of having type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Diabetes 2020; 12:474-482. [PMID: 31893569 DOI: 10.1111/1753-0407.13020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Urocortin 3 (UCN3) is a peptide hormone playing a pivotal role in glucose and lipid metabolisms. However, its clinical implications remain unclear. Our aims were to investigate the altered levels of UCN3 in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (nT2DM) patients in comparison to subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and to determine the presence of any possible link between UCN3 levels and metabolic parameters. METHODS Eighty nT2DM and 80 age-, body mass index (BMI)-, and gender-matched NGT subjects were enrolled into this case-control study. The circulating UCN3 levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA). Metabolic parameters of enrolled subjects were also determined. A standard 75-g 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test was used for diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). RESULTS UCN3 levels were higher in subjects with nT2DM than in controls (115.64 ± 39.26 vs 86.16 ± 22.81 pg/mL, P < .001). UCN3 levels were increased in subjects with metabolic syndrome compared to subjects without metabolic syndrome in both nT2DM and NGT groups. UCN3 levels showed a positive correlation with BMI in both groups. Moreover, UCN3 levels were positively and independently associated with insulin, fasting blood glucose, insulin resistance, 2-hour plasma glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, and triglycerides, whereas UCN3 levels were negatively and independently associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. According to logistic regression analysis, increased risk of T2DM and metabolic syndrome were parallel with the highest elevated levels of UCN3. CONCLUSIONS Increased levels of UCN3 are associated with unfavorable metabolic profiles in T2DM, indicating a potential role of UCN3 in glucose and lipid metabolisms in T2DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pınar Alarslan
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Izmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Gokcen Unal Kocabas
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Izmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ismail Demir
- Department of Internal Medicine, Izmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Aslı Guler
- Department of Family Physician, Izmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Giray Bozkaya
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Izmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Behnaz Aslanipour
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Calan
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Izmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
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Low AYT, Thanawalla AR, Yip AKK, Kim J, Wong KLL, Tantra M, Augustine GJ, Chen AI. Precision of Discrete and Rhythmic Forelimb Movements Requires a Distinct Neuronal Subpopulation in the Interposed Anterior Nucleus. Cell Rep 2019; 22:2322-2333. [PMID: 29490269 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Revised: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN) represent output channels of the cerebellum, and they transmit integrated sensorimotor signals to modulate limb movements. But the functional relevance of identifiable neuronal subpopulations within the DCN remains unclear. Here, we examine a genetically tractable population of neurons in the mouse interposed anterior nucleus (IntA). We show that these neurons represent a subset of glutamatergic neurons in the IntA and constitute a specific element of an internal feedback circuit within the cerebellar cortex and cerebello-thalamo-cortical pathway associated with limb control. Ablation and optogenetic stimulation of these neurons disrupt efficacy of skilled reach and locomotor movement and reveal that they control positioning and timing of the forelimb and hindlimb. Together, our findings uncover the function of a distinct neuronal subpopulation in the deep cerebellum and delineate the anatomical substrates and kinematic parameters through which it modulates precision of discrete and rhythmic limb movements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aloysius Y T Low
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU), School of Biological Sciences, Singapore 637551, Singapore; NTU Institute for Health Technologies, Interdisciplinary Graduate School, Singapore 637553, Singapore; University of Warwick, School of Life Sciences, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Ayesha R Thanawalla
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU), School of Biological Sciences, Singapore 637551, Singapore; University of Warwick, School of Life Sciences, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Alaric K K Yip
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU), School of Biological Sciences, Singapore 637551, Singapore; NTU Institute for Health Technologies, Interdisciplinary Graduate School, Singapore 637553, Singapore; University of Warwick, School of Life Sciences, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Jinsook Kim
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, NTU, Singapore 308232, Singapore
| | - Kelly L L Wong
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU), School of Biological Sciences, Singapore 637551, Singapore; University of Warwick, School of Life Sciences, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Martesa Tantra
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU), School of Biological Sciences, Singapore 637551, Singapore; University of Warwick, School of Life Sciences, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - George J Augustine
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, NTU, Singapore 308232, Singapore; A(∗)STAR, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Albert I Chen
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU), School of Biological Sciences, Singapore 637551, Singapore; University of Warwick, School of Life Sciences, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK; A(∗)STAR, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore 138673, Singapore.
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Hosono K, Yamashita J, Kikuchi Y, Hiraki-Kajiyama T, Okubo K. Three urocortins in medaka: identification and spatial expression in the central nervous system. J Neuroendocrinol 2017; 29. [PMID: 28370873 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Revised: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 03/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The urocortin (UCN) group of neuropeptides includes urocortin 1/sauvagine/urotensin 1 (UTS1), urocortin 2 (UCN2) and urocortin 3 (UCN3). In recent years, evidence has accumulated showing that UCNs play pivotal roles in mediating stress response and anxiety in mammals. Evidence has also emerged regarding the evolutionary conservation of UCNs in vertebrates, but very little information is available about UCNs in non-mammalian vertebrates. Indeed, at present, there are no reports of the empirical identification of ucn2 in non-mammalian vertebrates or of the distribution of ucn2 and ucn3 expression in the adult central nervous system (CNS) of these animals. To gain insight into the evolutionary nature of UCNs in vertebrates, we cloned uts1, ucn2 and ucn3 in a teleost fish, medaka and examined the spatial expression of these genes in the adult brain and spinal cord. Although all known UCN2 genes except those in rodents have been reported to likely lack the necessary structural features to produce a functional pre-pro-protein, all three UCN genes in medaka, including ucn2, displayed all of these features, suggesting their functionality. The three UCN genes exhibited distinct spatial expression patterns in the medaka brain: uts1 was primarily expressed in broad regions of the dorsal telencephalon, ucn2 was expressed in restricted regions of the thalamus and brainstem and ucn3 was expressed in discrete nuclei throughout many regions of the brain. We also found that these genes were all expressed throughout the medaka spinal cord, each with a distinct spatial pattern. Given that many of these regions have been implicated in stress responses and anxiety, the three UCNs may serve distinct physiological roles in the medaka CNS, including those involved in stress and anxiety, as shown in the mammalian CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Hosono
- Department of Aquatic Bioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - J Yamashita
- Department of Aquatic Bioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Y Kikuchi
- Department of Aquatic Bioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - T Hiraki-Kajiyama
- Department of Aquatic Bioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, Japan
| | - K Okubo
- Department of Aquatic Bioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
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Yeh C, Ting CH, Doong ML, Chi CW, Lee SD, Chen CY. Intracerebroventricular urocortin 3 counteracts central acyl ghrelin-induced hyperphagic and gastroprokinetic effects via CRF receptor 2 in rats. Drug Des Devel Ther 2016; 10:3281-3290. [PMID: 27757017 PMCID: PMC5055120 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s113195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Urocortin 3 is a key neuromodulator in the regulation of stress, anxiety, food intake, gut motility, and energy homeostasis, while ghrelin elicits feeding behavior and enhances gastric emptying, adiposity, and positive energy balance. However, the interplays between urocortin 3 and ghrelin on food intake and gastric emptying remain uninvestigated. Methods We examined the differential effects of central O-n-octanoylated ghrelin, des-Gln14-ghrelin, and urocortin 3 on food intake, as well as on charcoal nonnutrient semiliquid gastric emptying in conscious rats that were chronically implanted with intracerebroventricular (ICV) catheters. The functional importance of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptor 2 in urocortin 3-induced responses was examined by ICV injection of the selective CRF receptor 2 antagonist, astressin2-B. Results ICV infusion of urocortin 3 opposed central acyl ghrelin-elicited hyperphagia via CRF receptor 2 in satiated rats. ICV injection of O-n-octanoylated ghrelin and des-Gln14-ghrelin were equally potent in accelerating gastric emptying in fasted rats, whereas ICV administration of urocortin 3 delayed gastric emptying. In addition, ICV infusion of urocortin 3 counteracted central acyl ghrelin-induced gastroprokinetic effects via CRF receptor 2 pathway. Conclusion ICV-infused urocortin 3 counteracts central acyl ghrelin-induced hyperphagic and gastroprokinetic effects via CRF receptor 2 in rats. Our results clearly showed that enhancing ghrelin and blocking CRF receptor 2 signaling in the brain accelerated gastric emptying, which provided important clues for a new therapeutic avenue in ameliorating anorexia and gastric ileus found in various chronic wasting disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Yeh
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Cheng-Hsin General Hospital
| | | | | | - Chin-Wen Chi
- Institute of Pharmacology, National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine; Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital
| | - Shou-Dong Lee
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Cheng-Hsin General Hospital
| | - Chih-Yen Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital; Faculty of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei; Taiwan Association for the Study of Small Intestinal Diseases, Guishan, Taiwan
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Abstract
Insulin resistance (IR) in skeletal muscle is an important component of both type 2 diabetes and the syndrome of sarcopaenic obesity, for which there are no effective therapies. Urocortins (UCNs) are not only well established as neuropeptides but also have their roles in metabolism in peripheral tissues. We have shown recently that global overexpression of UCN3 resulted in muscular hypertrophy and resistance to the adverse metabolic effects of a high-fat diet. Herein, we aimed to establish whether short-term local UCN3 expression could enhance glucose disposal and insulin signalling in skeletal muscle. UCN3 was found to be expressed in right tibialis cranialis and extensor digitorum longus muscles of rats by in vivo electrotransfer and the effects studied vs the contralateral muscles after 1 week. No increase in muscle mass was detected, but test muscles showed 19% larger muscle fibre diameter (P=0.030), associated with increased IGF1 and IGF1 receptor mRNA and increased SER256 phosphorylation of forkhead transcription factor. Glucose clearance into the test muscles after an intraperitoneal glucose load was increased by 23% (P=0.018) per unit mass, associated with increased GLUT1 (34% increase; P=0.026) and GLUT4 (48% increase; P=0.0009) proteins, and significantly increased phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1, AKT, AKT substrate of 160 kDa, glycogen synthase kinase-3β, AMP-activated protein kinase and its substrate acetyl coA carboxylase. Thus, UCN3 expression enhances glucose disposal and signalling in muscle by an autocrine/paracrine mechanism that is separate from its pro-hypertrophic effects, implying that such a manipulation may have promised for the treatment of IR syndromes including sarcopaenic obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon M Roustit
- Department of Comparative Biomedical SciencesRoyal Veterinary College, University of London, Royal College Street, London NW1 0TU, UKLaboratory of Neuronal Structure and FunctionSalk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, USAQueen's Medical Research InstituteCentre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Joan M Vaughan
- Department of Comparative Biomedical SciencesRoyal Veterinary College, University of London, Royal College Street, London NW1 0TU, UKLaboratory of Neuronal Structure and FunctionSalk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, USAQueen's Medical Research InstituteCentre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Pauline M Jamieson
- Department of Comparative Biomedical SciencesRoyal Veterinary College, University of London, Royal College Street, London NW1 0TU, UKLaboratory of Neuronal Structure and FunctionSalk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, USAQueen's Medical Research InstituteCentre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Mark E Cleasby
- Department of Comparative Biomedical SciencesRoyal Veterinary College, University of London, Royal College Street, London NW1 0TU, UKLaboratory of Neuronal Structure and FunctionSalk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, USAQueen's Medical Research InstituteCentre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
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Jamieson PM, Cleasby ME, Kuperman Y, Morton NM, Kelly PAT, Brownstein DG, Mustard KJ, Vaughan JM, Carter RN, Hahn CN, Hardie DG, Seckl JR, Chen A, Vale WW. Urocortin 3 transgenic mice exhibit a metabolically favourable phenotype resisting obesity and hyperglycaemia on a high-fat diet. Diabetologia 2011; 54:2392-403. [PMID: 21667214 PMCID: PMC3149678 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-011-2205-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2011] [Accepted: 04/26/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS Urocortins are the endogenous ligands for the corticotropin-releasing factor receptor type 2 (CRFR2), which is implicated in regulating energy balance and/or glucose metabolism. We determined the effects of chronic CRFR2 activation on metabolism in vivo, by generating and phenotyping transgenic mice overproducing the specific CRFR2 ligand urocortin 3. METHODS Body composition, glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, energy efficiency and expression of key metabolic genes were assessed in adult male urocortin 3 transgenic mice (Ucn3(+)) under control conditions and following an obesogenic high-fat diet (HFD) challenge. RESULTS Ucn3(+) mice had increased skeletal muscle mass with myocyte hypertrophy. Accelerated peripheral glucose disposal, increased respiratory exchange ratio and hypoglycaemia on fasting demonstrated increased carbohydrate metabolism. Insulin tolerance and indices of insulin-stimulated signalling were unchanged, indicating these effects were not mediated by increased insulin sensitivity. Expression of the transgene in Crfr2 (also known as Crhr2)-null mice negated key aspects of the Ucn3(+) phenotype. Ucn3(+) mice were protected from the HFD-induced hyperglycaemia and increased adiposity seen in control mice despite consuming more energy. Expression of uncoupling proteins 2 and 3 was higher in Ucn3(+) muscle, suggesting increased catabolic processes. IGF-1 abundance was upregulated in Ucn3(+) muscle, providing a potential paracrine mechanism in which urocortin 3 acts upon CRFR2 to link the altered metabolism and muscular hypertrophy observed. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION Urocortin 3 acting on CRFR2 in skeletal muscle of Ucn3(+) mice results in a novel metabolically favourable phenotype, with lean body composition and protection against diet-induced obesity and hyperglycaemia. Urocortins and CRFR2 may be of interest as potential therapeutic targets for obesity.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Body Composition/drug effects
- Body Composition/physiology
- Dietary Fats/adverse effects
- Dietary Fats/pharmacology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Energy Metabolism/drug effects
- Energy Metabolism/physiology
- Glucose/metabolism
- Hyperglycemia/metabolism
- Hyperglycemia/prevention & control
- Insulin/blood
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/metabolism
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Mice, Transgenic
- Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism
- Muscle, Skeletal/pathology
- Obesity/metabolism
- Obesity/prevention & control
- Phenotype
- Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone/deficiency
- Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone/genetics
- Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone/metabolism
- Urocortins/genetics
- Urocortins/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- P M Jamieson
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK.
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