Targeted disruption of iNOS prevents LPS-induced S-nitrosation of IRbeta/IRS-1 and Akt and insulin resistance in muscle of mice

We have previously demonstrated that the insulin resistance associated with inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) induction in two different models of obesity, diet-induced obesity and the ob/ob mice, is mediated by S-nitrosation of proteins involved in insulin signal transduction: insulin receptor beta-subunit (IRbeta), insulin receptor substrate 1(IRS-1), and Akt. S-nitrosation of IRbeta and Akt impairs their kinase activities, and S-nitrosation of IRS-1 reduces its tissue expression. In this study, we observed that LPS-induced insulin resistance in the muscle of wild-type mice, as demonstrated by reduced insulin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of IRbeta and IRS-1, reduced IRS-1 expression and reduced insulin-induced serine phosphorylation of Akt. This resistance occurred in parallel with enhanced iNOS expression, which was accompanied by S-nitrosation of IRbeta/IRS-1 and Akt. In the muscle of iNOS(-/-) mice, we did not observe enhanced iNOS expression or any S-nitrosation of IRbeta/IRS-1 and Akt after LPS treatment. Moreover, insulin resistance was not present. The preservation of insulin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of IRbeta and IRS-1, of IRS-1 protein expression, and of insulin-induced serine phosphorylation of Akt observed in LPS-treated iNOS(-/-) mice strongly suggests that the insulin resistance induced by LPS is iNOS mediated, probably through S-nitrosation of proteins of early steps of insulin signaling.     

PDGF-induced vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation is associated with dysregulation of insulin receptor substrates

In vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) plays a major role in inducing phenotypic switching from contractile to proliferative state. Importantly, VSMC phenotypic switching is also determined by the phosphorylation state/expression levels of insulin receptor substrate (IRS), an intermediary signaling component that is shared by insulin and IGF-I. To date, the roles of PDGF-induced key proliferative signaling components including Akt, p70S6kinase, and ERK1/2 on the serine phosphorylation/expression of IRS-1 and IRS-2 isoforms remain unclear in VSMCs. We hypothesize that PDGF-induced VSMC proliferation is associated with dysregulation of insulin receptor substrates. Using human aortic VSMCs, we demonstrate that prolonged PDGF treatment led to sustained increases in the phosphorylation of protein kinases such as Akt, p70S6kinase, and ERK1/2, which mediate VSMC proliferation. In addition, PDGF enhanced IRS-1/IRS-2 serine phosphorylation and downregulated IRS-2 expression in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Notably, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) inhibitor (PI-103) and mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor (rapamycin), which abolished PDGF-induced Akt and p70S6kinase phosphorylation, respectively, blocked PDGF-induced IRS-1 serine phosphorylation and IRS-2 downregulation. In contrast, MEK1/ERK inhibitor (U0126) failed to block PDGF-induced IRS-1 serine phosphorylation and IRS-2 downregulation. PDGF-induced IRS-2 downregulation was prevented by lactacystin, an inhibitor of proteasomal degradation. Functionally, PDGF-mediated IRS-1/IRS-2 dysregulation resulted in the attenuation of insulin-induced IRS-1/IRS-2-associated PI 3-kinase activity. Pharmacological inhibition of PDGF receptor tyrosine kinase with imatinib prevented IRS-1/IRS-2 dysregulation and restored insulin receptor signaling. In conclusion, strategies to inhibit PDGF receptors would not only inhibit neointimal growth but may provide new therapeutic options to prevent dysregulated insulin receptor signaling in VSMCs in nondiabetic and diabetic states.     

In vivo phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 at serine 789 by a novel serine kinase in insulin-resistant rodents

Insulin resistance is a key pathophysiologic feature of obesity and type 2 diabetes and is associated with other human diseases, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and polycystic ovarian disease. Yet, the specific cellular defects that cause insulin resistance are not precisely known. Insulin receptor substrate (IRS) proteins are important signaling molecules that mediate insulin action in insulin-sensitive cells. Recently, serine phosphorylation of IRS proteins has been implicated in attenuating insulin signaling and is thought to be a potential mechanism for insulin resistance. However, in vivo increased serine phosphorylation of IRS proteins in insulin-resistant animal models has not been reported before. In the present study, we have confirmed previous findings in both JCR:LA-cp and Zucker fatty rats, two genetically unrelated insulin-resistant rodent models, that an enhanced serine kinase activity in liver is associated with insulin resistance. The enhanced serine kinase specifically phosphorylates the conserved Ser(789) residue in IRS-1, which is in a sequence motif separate from the ones for MAPK, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, glycogen-synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3), Akt, phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase, or casein kinase. It is similar to the phosphorylation motif for AMP-activated protein kinase, but the serine kinase in the insulin-resistant animals was shown not to be an AMP-activated protein kinase, suggesting a potential novel serine kinase. Using a specific antibody against Ser(P)(789) peptide of IRS-1, we then demonstrated for the first time a striking increase of Ser(789)-phosphorylated IRS-1 in livers of insulin-resistant rodent models, indicating enhanced serine kinase activity in vivo. Taken together, these data strongly suggest that unknown serine kinase activity and Ser(789) phosphorylation of IRS-1 may play an important role in attenuating insulin signaling in insulin-resistant animal models.     

Protein-tyrosine phosphatase-1B negatively regulates insulin signaling in l6 myocytes and Fao hepatoma cells

Insulin signaling is regulated by tyrosine phosphorylation of the signaling molecules, such as the insulin receptor and insulin receptor substrates (IRSs). Therefore, the balance between protein-tyrosine kinases and protein-tyrosine phosphatase activities is thought to be important in the modulation of insulin signaling in insulin-resistant states. We thus employed the adenovirus-mediated gene transfer technique, and we analyzed the effect of overexpression of a wild-type protein-tyrosine phosphatase-1B (PTP1B) on insulin signaling in both L6 myocytes and Fao cells. In both cells, PTP1B overexpression blocked insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor and IRS-1 by more than 70% and resulted in a significant inhibition of the association between IRS-1 and the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and Akt phosphorylation as well as mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation. Moreover, insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis was also inhibited by PTP1B overexpression in both cells. These effects were specific for insulin signaling, because platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-stimulated PDGF receptor tyrosine phosphorylation and Akt phosphorylation were not inhibited by PTP1B overexpression. The present findings demonstrate that PTP1B negatively regulates insulin signaling in L6 and Fao cells, suggesting that PTP1B plays an important role in insulin resistance in muscle and liver.     

Betel nut extract and arecoline block insulin signaling and lipid storage in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

According to several population-based studies, betel nut chewing is associated with metabolic syndrome and diabetes in British South Asians and Taiwanese. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is not yet clear. Arecoline is an alkaloid-type natural product found in betel nuts. Our aim was to clarify the influence of betel nut extract and arecoline on lipid accumulation and insulin signaling in adipocytes. We found that betel nut extract and arecoline blocked lipid storage in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The possible mechanism may function by inhibiting the expression of the insulin receptor, glucose transporter-4, fatty acid synthase, and the lipid droplet proteins perilipin and adipophilin. In addition, betel nut extract and arecoline increased the basal level of IRS-1 serine³⁰⁷ phosphorylation and decreased insulin-stimulated IRS-1 tyrosine, Akt, and PI3 kinase phosphorylation. In conclusion, betel nut extract and arecoline have diabetogenic potential on adipocytes that may result in insulin resistance and diabetes at least in part via the obstruction of insulin signaling and the blockage of lipid storage.     

Insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-2, not IRS-1, protects human neuroblastoma cells against apoptosis

Insulin receptor substrates (IRS)-1 and -2 are major substrates of insulin and type I insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) receptor (IGF-IR) signaling. In this study, SH-EP human neuroblastoma cells are used as a model system to examine the differential roles of IRS-1 and IRS-2 on glucose-mediated apoptosis. In the presence of high glucose, IRS-1 underwent caspase-mediated degradation, followed by focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and Akt degradation and apoptosis. IRS-2 expression blocked all these changes whereas IRS-1 overexpression had no effect. In parallel, IRS-2, but not IRS-1, overexpression enhanced IGF-I-mediated Akt activation without affecting extracellular regulated kinase signaling. While IRS-1 was readily degraded by caspases, hyperglycemia-mediated IRS-2 degradation was unaffected by caspase inhibitors but blocked by proteasome and calpain inhibitors. Our data suggest that the differential degradation of IRS-1 and IRS-2 contributes to their distinct modes of action and the increased neuroprotective effects of IRS-2 in this report are due, in part, to its resistance to caspase-mediated degradation.     

Saturated fatty acids inhibit hepatic insulin action by modulating insulin receptor expression and post-receptor signalling

Free fatty acids (FFAs) are proposed to play a pathogenic role in both peripheral and hepatic insulin resistance. We have examined the effect of saturated FFA on insulin signalling (100 nM) in two hepatocyte cell lines. Fao hepatoma cells were treated with physiological concentrations of sodium palmitate (0.25 mM) (16:0) for 0.25-48 h. Palmitate decreased insulin receptor (IR) protein and mRNA expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner (35% decrease at 12 h). Palmitate also reduced insulin-stimulated IR and IRS-2 tyrosine phosphorylation, IRS-2-associated PI 3-kinase activity, and phosphorylation of Akt, p70 S6 kinase, GSK-3 and FOXO1A. Palmitate also inhibited insulin action in hepatocytes derived from wild-type IR (+/+) mice, but was ineffective in IR-deficient (-/-) cells. The effects of palmitate were reversed by triacsin C, an inhibitor of fatty acyl CoA synthases, indicating that palmitoyl CoA ester formation is critical. Neither the non-metabolized bromopalmitate alone nor the medium chain fatty acid octanoate (8:0) produced similar effects. However, the CPT-1 inhibitor (+/-)-etomoxir and bromopalmitate (in molar excess) reversed the effects of palmitate. Thus, the inhibition of insulin signalling by palmitate in hepatoma cells is dependent upon oxidation of fatty acyl-CoA species and requires intact insulin receptor expression.     

Enhanced insulin action on glucose transport and insulin signaling in 7-day unweighted rat soleus muscle.

Hindlimb suspension (HS), a model of simulated weightlessness, enhances insulin action on glucose transport in unweighted rat soleus muscle. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that these changes in glucose transport in 3- and 7-day HS soleus of juvenile, female Sprague-Dawley rats were due to increased functionality of insulin signaling factors, including insulin receptor (IR), IR substrate-1 (IRS-1), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase), and Akt. Insulin-stimulated (2 mU/ml) glucose transport was significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced in 3- and 7-day HS soleus by 59 and 113%, respectively, compared with weight-bearing controls. Insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of IR and Ser(473) phosphorylation of Akt was not altered by unweighting. Despite decreased (34 and 64%) IRS-1 protein in 3- and 7-day HS soleus, absolute insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 was not diminished, indicating relative increases in IRS-1 phosphorylation of 62 and 184%, respectively. In the 7-day HS soleus, this was accompanied by increased (47%) insulin-stimulated IRS-1 associated with the p85 subunit of PI3-kinase. Interestingly, the enhanced insulin-stimulated glucose transport in the unweighted soleus was not completely inhibited (89-92%) by wortmannin, a PI3-kinase inhibitor. Finally, protein expression and activation of p38 MAPK, a stress-activated serine/threonine kinase associated with insulin resistance, was decreased by 32 and 18% in 7-day HS soleus. These results indicate that the increased insulin action on glucose transport in the 7-day unweighted soleus is associated with increased insulin signaling through IRS-1 and PI3-kinase and decreased p38 MAPK protein expression. However, PI3-kinase-independent mechanisms must also play a small role in this adaptive response to HS.     

Interleukin-1alpha inhibits insulin signaling with phosphorylating insulin receptor substrate-1 on serine residues in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Proinflammatory cytokines are recently reported to inhibit insulin signaling causing insulin resistance. IL-1alpha is also one of the proinflammatory cytokines; however, it has not been clarified whether IL-1alpha may also cause insulin resistance. Here, we investigated the effects of IL-1alpha treatment on insulin signaling in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. IL-1alpha treatment up to 4 h did not alter insulin-stimulated insulin receptor tyrosine phosphorylation, whereas tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 and the association with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase were partially inhibited with the maximal inhibition in around 15 min. IRS-1 was transiently phosphorylated on some serine residues around 15 min after IL-1alpha stimulation, when several serine kinases, IkappaB kinase, c-Jun-N-terminal kinase, ERK, and p70S6K were activated. Chemical inhibitors for these kinases inhibited IL-1alpha-induced serine phosphorylation of IRS-1. Tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 was recovered only by the IKK inhibitor or JNK inhibitor, suggesting specific involvement of these two kinases. Insulin-stimulated Akt phosphorylation and 2-deoxyglucose uptake were not inhibited only by IL-1alpha. Interestingly, Akt phosphorylation was synergistically inhibited by IL-1alpha in the presence of IL-6. Taken together, short-term IL-1alpha treatment transiently causes insulin resistance at IRS-1 level with its serine phosphorylation. IL-1alpha may suppress insulin signaling downstream of IRS-1 in the presence of other cytokines, such as IL-6.     

Molecular mechanism(s) of burn-induced insulin resistance in murine skeletal muscle: role of IRS phosphorylation

Hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance and elevated insulin levels frequently occur in burned patients; however, the mechanism(s) for this insulin resistance has not been fully elucidated. One possible mechanism could involve alterations in the phosphorylation of serine 307 of the insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) via activation of stress kinase enzymes, including SAPK/JNK. In the present study we examined the time course of the effect of burn injury to mice on: levels of IRS-1 protein, phosphorylation of serine 307 of IRS-1, SAPK/JNK kinase levels and activity and Akt kinase activity in hind limb skeletal muscle. Burn injury produced a reduction in hind limb muscle mass 24 h after injury, and, which persisted for 168 h. At 24 h after injury, there was a dramatic ( approximately 9-fold) increase in phosphorylation of IRS-1 serine 307 followed by a more moderate elevation thereafter. Total IRS-1 protein was slightly elevated at 24 h after injury and decreased to levels below sham treated animals at the later times. Burn injury did not appear to change total SAPK/JNK protein content, however, enzyme activity was increased for 7 days after injury. Akt kinase activity was decreased in skeletal muscle following burn injury; providing a biochemical basis for burn-induced insulin resistance. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that burn-induced insulin resistance may be related, at least in part, to alterations in the phosphorylation of key proteins in the insulin signaling cascade, including IRS-1, and that changes in stress kinases, such as SAPK/JNK produced by burn injury, may be responsible for these changes in phosphorylation.     

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.     

beta(3)-adrenergic stimulation differentially inhibits insulin signaling and decreases insulin-induced glucose uptake in brown adipocytes

Activity of the sympathetic nervous system is an important factor involved in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and associated metabolic and vascular abnormalities. In this study, we investigate the molecular basis of cross-talk between beta(3)-adrenergic and insulin signaling systems in mouse brown adipocytes immortalized by SV40 T infection. Insulin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), and IRS-2 was reduced by prestimulation of beta(3)-adrenergic receptors (CL316243). Similarly, insulin-induced IRS-1-associated and phosphotyrosine-associated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) activity, but not IRS-2-associated PI 3-kinase activity, was reduced by beta(3)-adrenergic prestimulation. Furthermore, insulin-stimulated activation of Akt, but not mitogen-activated protein kinase, was diminished. Insulin-induced glucose uptake was completely inhibited by beta(3)-adrenergic prestimulation. These effects appear to be protein kinase A-dependent. Furthermore inhibition of protein kinase C restored the beta(3)-receptor-mediated reductions in insulin-induced IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation and IRS-1-associated PI 3-kinase activity. Together, these findings indicate cross-talk between adrenergic and insulin signaling pathways. This interaction is protein kinase A-dependent and, at least in part, protein kinase C-dependent, and could play an important role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance associated with sympathetic overactivity and regulation of brown fat metabolism.     

Protein kinase C-zeta phosphorylates insulin receptor substrate-1 and impairs its ability to activate phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in response to insulin

Protein kinase C-zeta (PKC-zeta) is a serine/threonine kinase downstream from phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in insulin signaling pathways. However, specific substrates for PKC-zeta that participate in the biological actions of insulin have not been reported. In the present study, we identified insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) as a novel substrate for PKC-zeta. Under in vitro conditions, wild-type PKC-zeta (but not kinase-deficient mutant PKC-zeta) significantly phosphorylated IRS-1. This phosphorylation was reversed by treatment with the serine-specific phosphatase, protein phosphatase 2A. In addition, the overexpression of PKC-zeta in NIH-3T3(IR) cells caused significant phosphorylation of cotransfected IRS-1 as demonstrated by [(32)P]orthophosphate labeling experiments. In rat adipose cells, endogenous IRS-1 coimmunoprecipitated with endogenous PKC-zeta, and this association was increased 2-fold upon insulin stimulation. Furthermore, the overexpression of PKC-zeta in NIH-3T3(IR) cells significantly impaired insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of cotransfected IRS-1. Importantly, this was accompanied by impaired IRS-1-associated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity. Taken together, our results raise the possibility that IRS-1 is a novel physiological substrate for PKC-zeta. Because PKC-zeta is located downstream from IRS-1 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in established insulin signaling pathways, PKC-zeta may participate in negative feedback pathways to IRS-1 similar to those described previously for Akt and GSK-3.     

Adiponectin sensitizes insulin signaling by reducing p70 S6 kinase-mediated serine phosphorylation of IRS-1

Adiponectin functions as an insulin sensitizer, and yet the underlying molecular mechanism(s) remains largely unknown. We found that treating C2C12 myotubes with adiponectin or rapamycin enhanced the ability of insulin to stimulate IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation and Akt phosphorylation, concurrently with reduced p70 S6 kinase phosphorylation at Thr389 as well as IRS-1 phosphorylation at Ser302 and Ser636/639. Overexpression of dominant-negative AMP kinase (AMPK), but not dominant-negative p38 MAPK, reduced the insulin-sensitizing effect of adiponectin. Rapamycin, but not adiponectin, enhanced insulin-stimulated Akt phosphorylation in HeLa cells, which lack LKB1, and exogenous expression of LKB1 in HeLa cells rescued the insulin-sensitizing effect of adiponectin. Finally, overexpression of wild-type Rheb (Ras homology-enriched in brain) or the TSC2 mutant lacking the AMPK phosphorylation site (TSC2S1345A) inhibited the insulin-sensitizing effect of adiponectin in C2C12 cells. These results indicate that activation of the LKB1/AMPK/TSC1/2 pathway alleviates the p70 S6 kinase-mediated negative regulation of insulin signaling, providing a mechanism by which adiponectin increases insulin sensitivity in cells.     

Grape seed proanthocyanidins and metformin act by different mechanisms to promote insulin signaling in rats fed high calorie diet

Key pathways like insulin signaling, AMP activated kinase (AMPK) activation and inflammatory signaling are involved in the complex pathological network of hepatic insulin resistance. Our aim is to investigate whether grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSP) and metformin (MET) target any of these pathways in insulin resistant rat liver. Albino Wistar rats were rendered insulin resistant by feeding a high fat-fructose diet (HFFD). Either GSP (100 mg/kg b.w), MET(50 mg/kg b.w) or both were administered to insulin resistant rats as therapeutic options. HFFD-feeding caused hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, increased gluconeogenesis, decreased tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor-β(IR-β) and insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and increased serine phosphorylation of IRS-1. The association of p85α subunit of phosphotidyl inositol 3 kinase(PI3K) with IRS-1 and subsequent Akt phosphorylation were reduced while the expression of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) were increased in HFFD rats. Both MET and GSP reduced hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia and improved glycolysis, tyrosine phosphorylation of IR-β and IRS-1, IRS-1-PI3K association and Akt activation. However, activation of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, leptin and suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 and reduction in adiponectin caused by chronic HFFD feeding were reversed by GSP better than by MET. Activation of AMPK by GSP was much less compared to that by MET. These findings suggest that GSP might activate PI3K pathway and promote insulin action by reducing serine kinase activation and cytokine signaling and MET by targeting AMPK. The beneficial effects were enhanced during combination therapy. Thus, combination therapy with MET and GSP may be considered for the management of metabolic syndrome.     

Alpha-synuclein overexpression negatively regulates insulin receptor substrate 1 by activating mTORC1/S6K1 signaling

Alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) is a major component of Lewy bodies, a pathological feature of Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative diseases collectively known as synucleinopathies. Among the possible mechanisms of α-Syn-mediated neurotoxicity is interference with cytoprotective pathways such as insulin signaling. Insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 is a docking protein linking IRs to downstream signaling pathways such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K)1; the latter exerts negative feedback control on insulin signaling, which is impaired in Alzheimer's disease. Our previous study found that α-Syn overexpression can inhibit protein phosphatase (PP)2A activity, which is involved in the protective mechanism of insulin signaling. In this study, we found an increase in IRS-1 phosphorylation at Ser636 and decrease in tyrosine phosphorylation, which accelerated IRS-1 turnover and reduced insulin-Akt signaling in α-Syn-overexpressing SK-N-SH cells and transgenic mice. The mTOR complex (C)1/S6K1 blocker rapamycin inhibited the phosphorylation of IRS-1 at Ser636 in cells overexpressing α-Syn, suggesting that mTORC1/S6K1 activation by α-Syn causes feedback inhibition of insulin signaling via suppression of IRS-1 function. α-Syn overexpression also inhibited PP2A activity, while the PP2A agonist C2 ceramide suppressed both S6K1 activation and IRS-1 Ser636 phosphorylation upon α-Syn overexpression. Thus, α-Syn overexpression negatively regulated IRS-1 via mTORC1/S6K1 signaling while activation of PP2A reverses this process. These results provide evidence for a link between α-Syn and IRS-1 that may represent a novel mechanism for α-Syn-associated pathogenesis.     

Role of IRS-3 in the insulin signaling of IRS-1-deficient brown adipocytes

Insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) plays an essential role in mediating the insulin signals that trigger mitogenesis, lipid synthesis, and uncoupling protein-1 gene expression in mouse brown adipocytes. Expression of IRS-3 is restricted mainly to white adipose tissue; expression of this IRS protein is virtually absent in brown adipocytes. We have tested the capacity of IRS-3 to mediate insulin actions in IRS-1-deficient brown adipocytes. Thus, we expressed exogenous IRS-3 in immortalized IRS-1-/- brown adipocytes at a level comparable with that of endogenous IRS-3 in white adipose tissue. Under these conditions, IRS-3 signaling in response to insulin was observed, as revealed by tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-3, and the activation of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase associated with this recombinant protein. However, although insulin promoted the association of Grb-2 with recombinant IRS-3 in IRS-1-/- cells, the exogenous expression of this IRS family member failed to activate p42/44 MAPK and mitogenesis in brown adipocytes lacking IRS-1. Downstream of PI 3-kinase, IRS-3 expression restored insulin-induced Akt phosphorylation, which is impaired by the lack of IRS-1 signaling. Whereas the generation of IRS-3 signals enhanced adipocyte determination and differentiation-dependent factor 1/sterol regulatory element-binding protein (ADD-1/SREBP-1c) and fatty acid synthase mRNA and protein expression, activation of this pathway was unable to reconstitute CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha and uncoupling protein-1 transactivation and gene expression in response to insulin. Similar results were obtained following insulin-like growth factor-I stimulation. In brown adipocytes expressing the IRS-3F4 mutant, the association of the p85alpha regulatory subunit via Src homology 2 binding was lost, but insulin nevertheless induced PI 3-kinase activity and Akt phosphorylation in a wortmannin-dependent manner. In contrast, activation of IRS-3F4 signaling failed to restore the induction of ADD-1/SREBP-1c and fatty acid synthase gene expression in IRS-1-deficient brown adipocytes. These studies demonstrate that recombinant IRS-3 may reconstitute some, but not all, of the signals required for insulin action in brown adipocytes. Thus, our data further implicate a unique role for IRS-1 in triggering insulin action in brown adipocytes.     

Low-dose spironolactone reduces reactive oxygen species generation and improves insulin-stimulated glucose transport in skeletal muscle in the TG(mRen2)27 rat

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) activation mediates increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and impaired insulin signaling. The transgenic Ren2 rat manifests increased tissue renin-angiotensin system activity, elevated serum aldosterone, hypertension, and insulin resistance. To explore the role of aldosterone in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance, we investigated the impact of in vivo treatment with a mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonist on insulin sensitivity in Ren2 and aged-matched Sprague-Dawley (SD) control rats. Both groups (age 6-8 wk) were implanted with subcutaneous time-release pellets containing spironolactone (0.24 mg/day) or placebo over 21 days. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test were determined. Soleus muscle insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), tyrosine phosphorylated IRS-1, protein kinase B (Akt) phosphorylation, GLUT4 levels, and insulin-stimulated 2-deoxyglucose uptake were evaluated in relation to NADPH subunit expression/oxidase activity and ROS production (chemiluminescence and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal immunostaining). Along with increased soleus muscle NADPH oxidase activity and ROS, there was systemic insulin resistance and reduced muscle IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation, Akt phosphorylation/activation, and GLUT4 expression in the Ren2 group (each P < 0.05). Despite not decreasing blood pressure, low-dose spironolactone treatment improved soleus muscle insulin signaling parameters and systemic insulin sensitivity in concert with reductions in NADPH oxidase subunit expression/activity and ROS production (each P < 0.05). Our findings suggest that aldosterone contributes to insulin resistance in the transgenic Ren2, in part, by increasing NADPH oxidase activity in skeletal muscle tissue.