Differential contribution of insulin receptor substrates 1 versus 2 to insulin signaling and glucose uptake in l6 myotubes

Insulin receptor substrates-1 and 2 (IRS-1 and IRS-2) are pivotal in relaying insulin signaling in insulin-responsive tissues such as muscle. However, the precise contribution of IRS-1 vis-a-vis IRS-2 in insulin-mediated metabolic and mitogenic responses has not been compared directly in differentiated muscle cells. This study aimed to determine the relative contribution of IRS-1 versus IRS-2 in these responses, using small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated specific gene silencing. In L6 myotubes, transfection of siRNA targeted specifically against IRS-1 (siIRS-1) or IRS-2 (siIRS-2) reduced the cognate protein expression by 70-75%. Insulin-induced ERK phosphorylation was much more sensitive to IRS-2 than IRS-1 ablation, whereas p38MAPK phosphorylation was reduced by 43 or 62% in myotubes treated with siIRS-1 or siIRS-2, respectively. Insulin-induced Akt1 and Akt2 phosphorylation was reduced in myotubes treated with siIRS-1, but only Akt2 phosphorylation was reduced in myotubes treated with siIRS-2. In contrast, siIRS-1 treatment caused a marked reduction in insulin-induced actin remodeling, glucose uptake, and GLUT4 translocation, and siIRS-2 was without effect on these responses. Notably, combined siIRS-1 and siIRS-2, although reducing each IRS by around 75%, caused no further drop in glucose uptake than that achieved with siIRS-1 alone, but abolished p38MAPK phosphorylation. We conclude that insulin-stimulated Akt1 phosphorylation, actin remodeling, GLUT4 translocation, and glucose uptake are regulated mainly by IRS-1, whereas IRS-2 contributes selectively to ERK signaling, and Akt2 and p38MAPK lie downstream of both IRS in muscle cells.     

α-Lipoic acid ameliorates impaired glucose uptake in LYRM1 overexpressing 3T3-L1 adipocytes through the IRS-1/Akt signaling pathway

Overexpression of the Homo sapiens LYR motif containing 1 (LYRM1) causes mitochondrial dysfunction and induces insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. α-Lipoic acid (α-LA), a dithiol compound with antioxidant properties, improves glucose transport and utilization in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The aim of this study was to investigate the direct effects of α-LA on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and insulin sensitivity in LYRM1 overexpressing 3T3-L1 adipocytes and to explore the underlying mechanism. Pretreatment with α-LA significantly increased both basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation, while intracellular ROS levels in LYRM1 overexpressing 3T3-L1 adipocytes were decreased. These changes were accompanied by a marked upregulation in expression of insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 and serine phosphorylation of Akt following treatment with α-LA. These results indicated that α-LA protects 3T3-L1 adipocytes from LYRM1-induced insulin resistance partially via its capacity to restore mitochondrial function and/or increase phosphorylation of IRS-1 and Akt.     

Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG) protects the insulin sensitivity in rat L6 muscle cells exposed to dexamethasone condition

The tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG) displays some antidiabetic effects; however the mechanisms are incompletely understood. In the present study, the investigation of the effects of EGCG on insulin resistance was performed in rat L6 cells treated with dexamethasone. We found that dexamethasone increased Ser307 phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and reduced phosphorylation of AMPK and Akt. Furthermore, glucose uptake and glucose transporter (GLUT4) translocation were inhibited by dexamethasone. However, the treatment of EGCG improved insulin-stimulated glucose uptake by increasing GLUT4 translocation to plasma membrane. Furthermore, we also demonstrated these EGCG effects essentially depended on the AMPK and Akt activation. Together, our data suggested that EGCG inhibited dexamethasone-induced insulin resistance through AMPK and PI3K/Akt pathway.     

Maturation of the regulation of GLUT4 activity by p38 MAPK during L6 cell myogenesis

Insulin stimulates glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells and fat cells by promoting the rapid translocation of GLUT4 glucose transporters to the plasma membrane. Recent work from our laboratory supports the concept that insulin also stimulates the intrinsic activity of GLUT4 through a signaling pathway that includes p38 MAPK. Here we show that regulation of GLUT4 activity by insulin develops during maturation of skeletal muscle cells into myotubes in concert with the ability of insulin to stimulate p38 MAPK. In L6 myotubes expressing GLUT4 that carries an exofacial myc-epitope (L6-GLUT4myc), insulin-stimulated GLUT4myc translocation equals in magnitude the glucose uptake response. Inhibition of p38 MAPK with SB203580 reduces insulin-stimulated glucose uptake without affecting GLUT4myc translocation. In contrast, in myoblasts, the magnitude of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake is significantly lower than that of GLUT4myc translocation and is insensitive to SB203580. Activation of p38 MAPK by insulin is considerably higher in myotubes than in myoblasts, as is the activation of upstream kinases MKK3/MKK6. In contrast, the activation of all three Akt isoforms and GLUT4 translocation are similar in myoblasts and myotubes. Furthermore, GLUT4myc translocation and phosphorylation of regulatory sites on Akt in L6-GLUT4myc myotubes are equally sensitive to insulin, whereas glucose uptake and phosphorylation of regulatory sites on p38 MAPK show lower sensitivity to the hormone. These observations draw additional parallels between Akt and GLUT4 translocation and between p38 MAPK and GLUT4 activation. Regulation of GLUT4 activity by insulin develops upon muscle cell differentiation and correlates with p38 MAPK activation by insulin.     

Resistin inhibits glucose uptake in L6 cells independently of changes in insulin signaling and GLUT4 translocation

Elevated levels of resistin have been proposed to cause insulin resistance and therefore may serve as a link between obesity and type 2 diabetes. However, its role in skeletal muscle metabolism is unknown. In this study, we examined the effect of resistin on insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and the upstream insulin-signaling components in L6 rat skeletal muscle cells that were either incubated with recombinant resistin or stably transfected with a vector containing the myc-tagged mouse resistin gene. Transfected clones expressed intracellular resistin, which was released in the medium. Incubation with recombinant resistin resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of insulin-stimulated 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) uptake. The inhibitory effect of resistin on insulin-stimulated 2-DG uptake was not the result of impaired GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane. Furthermore, resistin did not alter the insulin receptor (IR) content and its phosphorylation, nor did it affect insulin-stimulated insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 tyrosine phosphorylation, its association with the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase, or IRS-1-associated PI 3-kinase enzymatic activity. Insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt/protein kinase B-alpha, one of the downstream targets of PI 3-kinase and p38 MAPK phosphorylation, was also not affected by resistin. Expression of resistin also inhibited insulin-stimulated 2-DG uptake when compared with cells expressing the empty vector (L6Neo) without affecting GLUT4 translocation, GLUT1 content, and IRS-1/PI 3-kinase signaling. We conclude that resistin does not alter IR signaling but does affect insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, presumably by decreasing the intrinsic activity of cell surface glucose transporters.     

Knockdown of LYRM1 Rescues Insulin Resistance and Mitochondrial Dysfunction Induced by FCCP in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

LYR motif-containing 1 (LYRM1) was recently discovered to be involved in adipose tissue homeostasis and obesity-associated insulin resistance. We previously demonstrated that LYRM1 overexpression might contribute to insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction. Additionally, knockdown of LYRM1 enhanced insulin sensitivity and mitochondrial function in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We investigated whether knockdown of LYRM1 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes could rescue insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by the cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenyl-hydrazone (FCCP), a mitochondrion uncoupler, to further ascertain the mechanism by which LYRM1 is involved in obesity-associated insulin resistance. Incubation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with 1 µM FCCP for 12 h decreased insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, reduced intracellular ATP synthesis, increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, impaired insulin-stimulated Glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) translocation, and diminished insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of Insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and serine phosphorylation of Protein Kinase B (Akt). Knockdown of LYRM1 restored insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, rescued intracellular ATP synthesis, reduced intracellular ROS production, restored insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation, and rescued insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 and serine phosphorylation of Akt in FCCP-treated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. This study indicates that FCCP-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and insulin resistance are ameliorated by knockdown of LYRM1.     

Differential effects of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibition on intracellular signals regulating GLUT4 translocation and glucose transport

Phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase is required for insulin-stimulated translocation of GLUT4 to the surface of muscle and fat cells. Recent evidence suggests that the full stimulation of glucose uptake by insulin also requires activation of GLUT4, possibly via a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK)-dependent pathway. Here we used L6 myotubes expressing Myc-tagged GLUT4 to examine at what level the signals regulating GLUT4 translocation and activation bifurcate. We compared the sensitivity of each process, as well as of signals leading to GLUT4 translocation (Akt and atypical protein kinase C) to PI 3-kinase inhibition. Wortmannin inhibited insulin-stimulated glucose uptake with an IC(50) of 3 nm. In contrast, GLUT4myc appearance at the cell surface was less sensitive to inhibition (IC(50) = 43 nm). This dissociation between insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and GLUT4myc translocation was not observed with LY294002 (IC(50) = 8 and 10 microm, respectively). The sensitivity of insulin-stimulated activation of PKC zeta/lambda, Akt1, Akt2, and Akt3 to wortmannin (IC(50) = 24, 30, 35, and 60 nm, respectively) correlated closely with inhibition of GLUT4 translocation. In contrast, insulin-dependent p38 MAPK phosphorylation was efficiently reduced in cells pretreated with wortmannin, with an IC(50) of 7 nm. Insulin-dependent p38 alpha and p38 beta MAPK activities were also markedly reduced by wortmannin (IC(50) = 6 and 2 nm, respectively). LY294002 or transient expression of a dominant inhibitory PI 3-kinase construct (Delta p85), however, did not affect p38 MAPK phosphorylation. These results uncover a striking correlation between PI 3-kinase, Akt, PKC zeta/lambda, and GLUT4 translocation on one hand and their segregation from glucose uptake and p38 MAPK activation on the other, based on their wortmannin sensitivity. We propose that a distinct, high affinity target of wortmannin, other than PI 3-kinase, may be necessary for activation of p38 MAPK and GLUT4 in response to insulin.     

Monoclonal antibody to six transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate-4 influences insulin sensitivity by attenuating phosphorylation of P13K (P85) and Akt: Possible mitochondrial mechanism

We examined the effects of anti-six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate-4 (STEAP4) antibodies on glucose transport in mature adipocytes and determined the mechanism of insulin resistance in obesity. Western blotting was performed to determine STEAP4 expression, to assess translocation of insulin-sensitive glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), and to measure phosphorylation and total protein content of insulin-signaling proteins. Confocal laser microscopy and flow cytometry were used to detect intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and fluctuations in mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ). ATP production was measured by using a luciferase-based luminescence assay kit. After the application of anti-STEAP4 antibodies at 0.002?mg/mL, adipocytes exhibited reduced insulin-stimulated glucose transport by attenuating the phosphorylation of IRS-1, PI3K (p85), and Akt. The antibodies also potentially increase the level of ROS and decrease cellular ATP production and ΔΨ. In conclusion, (i) STEAP4 regulates the function of IRS-1, PI3K, and Akt and decreases insulin-induced GLUT4 translocation and glucose uptake; (ii) ROS-related mitochondrial dysfunction may be related to a reduced IRS-1 correlation with the PI3K signaling pathway, leading to insulin resistance. These observations highlight the potential role of STEAP4 in glucose homeostasis and possibly in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes related to obesity and may provide new insights into the mechanisms of insulin resistance in obesity.     

Tumor necrosis factor alpha produces insulin resistance in skeletal muscle by activation of inhibitor kappaB kinase in a p38 MAPK-dependent manner

Insulin stimulation produced a reliable 3-fold increase in glucose uptake in primary neonatal rat myotubes, which was accompanied by a similar effect on GLUT4 translocation to plasma membrane. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha caused insulin resistance on glucose uptake and GLUT4 translocation by impairing insulin stimulation of insulin receptor (IR) and IR substrate (IRS)-1 and IRS-2 tyrosine phosphorylation, IRS-associated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activation, and Akt phosphorylation. Because this cytokine produced sustained activation of stress and proinflammatory kinases, we have explored the hypothesis that insulin resistance by TNF-alpha could be mediated by these pathways. In this study we demonstrate that pretreatment with PD169316 or SB203580, inhibitors of p38 MAPK, restored insulin signaling and normalized insulin-induced glucose uptake in the presence of TNF-alpha. However, in the presence of PD98059 or SP600125, inhibitors of p42/p44 MAPK or JNK, respectively, insulin resistance by TNF-alpha was still produced. Moreover, TNF-alpha produced inhibitor kappaB kinase (IKK)-beta activation and inhibitor kappaB-beta and -alpha degradation in a p38 MAPK-dependent manner, and treatment with salicylate (an inhibitor of IKK) completely restored insulin signaling. Furthermore, TNF-alpha produced serine phosphorylation of IR and IRS-1 (total and on Ser(307) residue), and these effects were completely precluded by pretreatment with either PD169316 or salicylate. Consequently, TNF-alpha, through activation of p38 MAPK and IKK, produces serine phosphorylation of IR and IRS-1, impairing its tyrosine phosphorylation by insulin and the corresponding activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and Akt, leading to insulin resistance on glucose uptake and GLUT4 translocation.     

MAP4K4 gene silencing in human skeletal muscle prevents tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced insulin resistance

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) induces skeletal muscle insulin resistance by impairing insulin signaling events involved in GLUT4 translocation. We tested whether mitogenic-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase isoform 4 (MAP4K4) causes the TNF-alpha-induced negative regulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK-1/2), c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), and the insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) on the insulin signaling pathway governing glucose metabolism. Using small interfering RNA (siRNA) to suppress the expression of MAP4K4 protein 85% in primary human skeletal muscle cells, we provide evidence that TNF-alpha-induced insulin resistance on glucose uptake was completely prevented. MAP4K4 silencing inhibited TNF-alpha-induced negative signaling inputs by preventing excessive JNK and ERK-1/2 phosphorylation, as well as IRS-1 serine phosphorylation. These results highlight the MAPK4K4/JNK/ERK/IRS module in the negative regulation of insulin signaling to glucose transport in response to TNF-alpha. Depletion of MAP4K4 also prevented TNF-alpha-induced insulin resistance on Akt and the Akt substrate 160 (AS160), providing evidence that appropriate insulin signaling inputs for glucose metabolism were rescued. Silencing of MAP2K1 and MAP2K4, signaling proteins downstream of MAP4K4, recapitulated the effect of MAP4K4 siRNA in TNF-alpha-treated cells. Thus, strategies to inhibit MAP4K4 may be efficacious in the prevention of TNF-alpha-induced inhibitory signals that cause skeletal muscle insulin resistance on glucose metabolism in humans. Moreover, in myotubes from insulin-resistant type II diabetic patients, siRNA against MAP4K4, MAP2K4, or MAP2K1 restored insulin action on glucose uptake to levels observed in healthy subjects. Collectively, our results demonstrate that MAP4K4 silencing prevents insulin resistance in human skeletal muscle and restores appropriate signaling inputs to enhance glucose uptake.     

Depletion of mitochondrial DNA causes impaired glucose utilization and insulin resistance in L6 GLUT4myc myocytes

Mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to a number of human diseases, such as hyperlipidemia, obesity, and diabetes. The mutation and reduction of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been suggested as factors in the pathogenesis of diabetes. To elucidate the association of cellular mtDNA content and insulin resistance, we produced L6 GLUT4myc myocytes depleted of mtDNA by long term treatment with ethidium bromide. L6 GLUT4myc cells cultured with 0.2 mug/ml ethidium bromide (termed depleted cells) revealed a marked decrease in cellular mtDNA and ATP content, concomitant with a lack of mRNAs encoded by mtDNA. Interestingly, the mtDNA-depleted cells showed a drastic decrease in basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, indicating that L6 GLUT4myc cells develop impaired glucose utilization and insulin resistance. The repletion of mtDNA normalized basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. The mRNA level and expression of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 associated with insulin signaling were decreased by 76 and 90% in the depleted cells, respectively. The plasma membrane (PM) GLUT4 in the basal state was decreased, and the insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation to the PM was drastically reduced by mtDNA depletion. Moreover, insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of IRS-1 and Akt2/protein kinase B were drastically reduced in the depleted cells. Those changes returned to control levels after mtDNA repletion. Taken together, our data suggest that PM GLUT4 content and insulin signal pathway intermediates are modulated by the alteration of cellular mtDNA content, and the reductions in the expression of IRS-1 and insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of IRS-1 and Akt2/protein kinase B are associated with insulin resistance in the mtDNA-depleted L6 GLUT4myc myocytes.     

An inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase prevents insulin-stimulated glucose transport but not glucose transporter translocation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and L6 myotubes

The precise mechanisms underlying insulin-stimulated glucose transport still require investigation. Here we assessed the effect of SB203580, an inhibitor of the p38 MAP kinase family, on insulin-stimulated glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and L6 myotubes. We found that SB203580, but not its inactive analogue (SB202474), prevented insulin-stimulated glucose transport in both cell types with an IC50 similar to that for inhibition of p38 MAP kinase (0.6 microM). Basal glucose uptake was not affected. Moreover, SB203580 added only during the transport assay did not inhibit basal or insulin-stimulated transport. SB203580 did not inhibit insulin-stimulated translocation of the glucose transporters GLUT1 or GLUT4 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes as assessed by immunoblotting of subcellular fractions or by immunofluorescence of membrane lawns. L6 muscle cells expressing GLUT4 tagged on an extracellular domain with a Myc epitope (GLUT4myc) were used to assess the functional insertion of GLUT4 into the plasma membrane. SB203580 did not affect the insulin-induced gain in GLUT4myc exposure at the cell surface but largely reduced the stimulation of glucose uptake. SB203580 had no effect on insulin-dependent insulin receptor substrate-1 phosphorylation, association of the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase with insulin receptor substrate-1, nor on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, Akt1, Akt2, or Akt3 activities in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In conclusion, in the presence of SB203580, insulin caused normal translocation and cell surface membrane insertion of glucose transporters without stimulating glucose transport. We propose that insulin stimulates two independent signals contributing to stimulation of glucose transport: phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase leads to glucose transporter translocation and a pathway involving p38 MAP kinase leads to activation of the recruited glucose transporter at the membrane.     

Zinc stimulates glucose consumption by modulating the insulin signaling pathway in L6 myotubes: essential roles of Akt–GLUT4, GSK3β and mTOR–S6K1

The present study was performed to evaluate the insulin-like effects of zinc in normal L6 myotubes as well as its ability to alleviate insulin resistance. Glucose consumption was measured in both normal and insulin-resistant L6 myotubes. Western blotting and immunofluorescence revealed that zinc exhibited insulin-like glucose transporting effects by activating key markers that are involved in the insulin signaling cascade (including Akt, GLUT4 and GSK3β), and downregulating members of the insulin signaling feedback cascade such as mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K1). In normal L6 myotubes, zinc enhanced glucose consumption via a mechanism that might involve the activation of Akt phosphorylation, glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation and GSK3β phosphorylation. In contrast, zinc exerted insulin-mimetic effects in insulin-resistant L6 myotubes by upregulating Akt phosphorylation, GLUT4 translocation and GSK3β phosphorylation, and downregulating the expression of mTOR and S6K1. In conclusion, zinc might enhance glucose consumption by modulating insulin signaling pathways including Akt–GLUT4, GSK3β, mTOR and S6K1.     

Palmitic acid acutely stimulates glucose uptake via activation of Akt and ERK1/2 in skeletal muscle cells

Chronic exposure to saturated fatty acids can cause insulin resistance. However, the acute effects of fatty acids are not clear and need to be elucidated because plasma fatty acid concentrations fluctuate postprandially. Here, we present the acute effects of palmitate (PA) on skeletal muscle cells and their underlying molecular mechanisms. Immuno-fluorescence results showed that PA rapidly induced GLUT4 translocation and stimulated glucose uptake in rat skeletal muscle cell line L6. Phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), Akt, and extracellular signal-related kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) was enhanced by PA in a time-dependent manner. Cell surface-bound PA was sufficient to stimulate Akt phosphorylation. The inhibitors of PI3 kinase (PI3K), AMPK, Akt, and ERK1/2 could decrease PA-induced glucose uptake, and PI3K inhibitor decreased AMPK, Akt, and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Weakening AMPK activity reduced phosphorylation of Akt but not ERK1/2, and Akt inhibitor could not affect ERK1/2 activation either. Meanwhile, ERK1/2 inhibitors had no effect on Akt phosphorylation. Taken together, our data suggest that PA-mediated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells may be stimulated by the binding of PA to cell surface and followed by PI3K/AMPK/Akt and PI3K/ERK1/2 pathways independently.     

Roles of 1-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and ras in regulating translocation of GLUT4 in transfected rat adipose cells.

Insulin stimulates glucose transport in insulin target tissues by recruiting glucose transporters (primarily GLUT4) from an intracellular compartment to the cell surface. Previous studies have demonstrated that insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity and subsequent phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) contribute to mediating the effect of insulin on glucose transport. We have now investigated the roles of 1-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) and ras, two signaling proteins located downstream from tyrosine phosphorylation. Rat adipose cells were cotransfected with expression vectors that allowed transient expression of epitope-tagged GLUT4 and the other genes of interest. Overexpression of a mutant p85 regulatory subunit of PI 3-kinase lacking the ability to bind and activate the p110 catalytic subunit exerted a dominant negative effect to inhibit insulin-stimulated translocation of epitope-tagged GLUT4 to the cell surface. In addition, treatment of control cells with wortmannin (an inhibitor of PI 3-kinase) abolished the ability of insulin to recruit epitope-tagged GLUT4 to the cell surface. Thus, our data suggest that PI 3-kinase plays an essential role in insulin-stimulated GLUT4 recruitment in insulin target tissues. In contrast, over-expression of a constitutively active mutant of ras (L61-ras) resulted in high levels of cell surface GLUT4 in the absence of insulin that were comparable to levels seen in control cells treated with a maximally stimulating dose of insulin. However, wortmannin treatment of cells overexpressing L61-ras resulted in only a small decrease in the amount of cell surface GLUT4 compared with that of the same cells in the absence of wortmannin. Therefore, while activated ras is sufficient to recruit GLUT4 to the cell surface, it does so by a different mechanism that is probably not involved in the mechanism by which insulin stimulates GLUT4 translocation in physiological target tissues.     

Acute and chronic leptin treatment mediate contrasting effects on signaling,glucose uptake,and GLUT4 translocation in L6-GLUT4myc myotubes

We have previously shown that in L6-GLUT4myc rat skeletal muscle cells, acute treatment with leptin reduced insulin-stimulated glucose uptake without altering insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation. In contrast, we show here that the ability of leptin to increase phosphorylation of its receptor and to reduce insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was lost in cells that were continuously exposed to leptin for 24 h. This desensitization correlated with an increase in expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS-3). Time course analysis demonstrated that the transition from acute to chronic effects of leptin occurs after 2 h. The desensitization of leptin action at 24 h was not reversed by 30 min washout period prior to re-exposing cells to leptin. However, despite insulin-stimulated glucose uptake being unaffected upon 24 h preincubation with leptin, a small but significant decrease (37%) in insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation and phosphorylation of Akt on T308 was detected. Insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt on S473 or of p38 MAPK were unaffected. These results suggest that the chronic leptin treatment leads to desensitization of leptin signaling yet can simultaneously decrease the ability of insulin to phosphorylate Akt on T308 and translocate GLUT4. However, this does not manifest as a reduction in total glucose uptake into L6 myotubes.     

ERK1/2 activation by angiotensin II inhibits insulin-induced glucose uptake in vascular smooth muscle cells

Clinical evidence suggests a relationship between hypertension and insulin resistance, and cross-talk between angiotensin II (Ang II) and insulin signaling pathways may take place. We now report the effect of Ang II on insulin-induced glucose uptake and its intracellular mechanisms in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). We examined the translocation of glucose transporter-4 (GLUT-4) and glucose uptake in rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMC). Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and Akt activities, and phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) at the serine and tyrosine residues were measured by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting. As a result, Ang II inhibited insulin-induced GLUT-4 translocation from cytoplasm to the plasma membrane in RASMC. Ang II induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation and IRS-1 phosphorylation at Ser³⁰⁷ and Ser⁶¹⁶. Ang II-induced Ser³⁰⁷ and Ser⁶¹⁶ phophorylation of IRS-1 was inhibited by a MEK inhibitor, PD98059, and a JNK inhibitor, SP600125. Ang II inhibition of insulin-stimulated IRS-1 tyrosyl phophorylation and Akt activation were reversed by PD98059 but not by SP600125. Ang II inhibited insulin-induced glucose uptake, which was also reversed by PD98059 but not by SP600125. It is shown that Ang II-induced ERK1/2 activation inhibits insulin-dependent glucose uptake through serine phophorylation of IRS-1 in RASMC.     

Interleukin-6 impairs the insulin signaling pathway, promoting production of nitric oxide in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is an independent predictor of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease and is correlated with insulin resistance. Insulin stimulates nitric oxide (NO) production through the IRS-1/PI3-kinase/Akt/eNOS pathway (where IRS-1 is insulin receptor substrate 1, PI3-kinase is phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and eNOS is endothelial NO synthase). We asked if IL-6 affects insulin vasodilator action both in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and in the aortas of C57BL/6J mice and whether this inhibitory effect was caused by increased Ser phosphorylation of IRS-1. We observed that IL-6 increased IRS-1 phosphorylation at Ser(312) and Ser(616); these effects were paralleled by increased Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation and reversed by JNK and ERK1/2 inhibition. In addition, IL-6 treatment resulted in impaired IRS-1 phosphorylation at Tyr(612), a site essential for engaging PI3-kinase. Furthermore, IL-6 treatment reduced insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of eNOS at the stimulatory Ser(1177) site and impaired insulin-stimulated eNOS dephosphorylation at the inhibitory Thr(495) site. Insulin-stimulated eNOS activation and NO production were also inhibited by IL-6; these effects were reversed by inhibition of JNK and ERK1/2. Treatment of C57BL/6J mice with IL-6 resulted in impaired insulin-dependent activation of the Akt/eNOS pathway in the aorta as a result of JNK and ERK1/2 activation. Our data suggest that IL-6 impairs the vasodilator effects of insulin that are mediated by the IRS-1/PI3-kinase/Akt/eNOS pathway through activation of JNK and ERK1/2.     

Artemisia princeps extract promoted glucose uptake in cultured L6 muscle cells via glucose transporter 4 translocation

Artemisia princeps is a familiar plant as a food substance and medicinal herb. In this study, we evaluated the effects of an ethanol extract of A. princeps (APE) on glucose uptake in differentiated L6 muscle cells. Treatment with APE elevated deoxyglucose uptake, and translocation of the insulin-responsive glucose transporter (GLUT4) to the plasma membrane in L6 myotubes occurred. The PI3K inhibitor LY294002 attenuated glucose uptake induced by APE. Phosphorylation of the Ser(473) residue of Akt was not observed, but phosphorylation of PI3K, Akt (Thr(308)), and atypical PKC was. In addition, APE stimulated phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) at a level similar to 5'-amino-5-imidazolecarboxamide-riboside (AICAR). These results indicate that APE stimulates glucose uptake by inducing GLUT4 translocation, which is in part mediated by combination of the PI3K-dependent atypical PKC pathway and AMPK pathways.