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.     

Essential role of insulin receptor substrate-2 in insulin stimulation of Glut4 translocation and glucose uptake in brown adipocytes

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor I signals are mediated via phosphorylation of a family of insulin receptor substrate (IRS) proteins, which may serve both complementary and overlapping functions in the cell. To study the metabolic effects of these proteins in more detail, we established brown adipocyte cell lines from wild type and various IRS knockout (KO) animals and characterized insulin action in these cells in vitro. Preadipocytes derived from both wild type and IRS-2 KO mice could be fully differentiated into mature brown adipocytes. In differentiated IRS-2 KO adipocytes, insulin-induced glucose uptake was decreased by 50% compared with their wild type counterparts. This was the result of a decrease in insulin-stimulated Glut4 translocation to the plasma membrane. This decrease in insulin-induced glucose uptake could be partially reconstituted in these cells by retrovirus-mediated re-expression of IRS-2, but not overexpression of IRS-1. Insulin signaling studies revealed a total loss of IRS-2-associated phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase activity and a reduction in phosphotyrosine-associated PI 3-kinase by 30% (p < 0.05) in the KO cells. The phosphorylation and activity of Akt, a major downstream effector of PI 3-kinase, as well as Akt-dependent phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3 and p70S6 kinase were not affected by the lack of IRS-2; however, there was a decrease in insulin stimulation of Akt associated with the plasma membrane. These results provide evidence for a critical role of IRS-2 as a mediator of insulin-stimulated Glut4 translocation and glucose uptake in adipocytes. This occurs without effects in differentiation, total activation of Akt and its downstream effectors, but may be caused by alterations in compartmentalization of these downstream signals.     

A rapamycin-sensitive pathway down-regulates insulin signaling via phosphorylation and proteasomal degradation of insulin receptor substrate-1

Insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) is a major substrate of the insulin receptor and acts as a docking protein for Src homology 2 domain containing signaling molecules that mediate many of the pleiotropic actions of insulin. Insulin stimulation elicits serine/threonine phosphorylation of IRS-1, which produces a mobility shift on SDS-PAGE, followed by degradation of IRS-1 after prolonged stimulation. We investigated the molecular mechanisms and the functional consequences of these phenomena in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. PI 3-kinase inhibitors or rapamycin, but not the MEK inhibitor, blocked both the insulin-induced electrophoretic mobility shift and degradation of IRS-1. Adenovirus-mediated expression of a membrane-targeted form of the p110 subunit of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase (p110CAAX) induced a mobility shift and degradation of IRS-1, both of which were inhibited by rapamycin. Lactacystin, a specific proteasome inhibitor, inhibited insulin-induced degradation of IRS-1 without any effect on its electrophoretic mobility. Inhibition of the mobility shift did not significantly affect tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 or downstream insulin signaling. In contrast, blockade of IRS-1 degradation resulted in sustained activation of Akt, p70 S6 kinase, and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase during prolonged insulin treatment. These results indicate that insulin-induced serine/threonine phosphorylation and degradation of IRS-1 are mediated by a rapamycin-sensitive pathway, which is downstream of PI 3-kinase and independent of ras/MAP kinase. The pathway leads to degradation of IRS-1 by the proteasome, which plays a major role in down-regulation of certain insulin actions during prolonged stimulation.     

The effects of intracellular calcium depletion on insulin signaling in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

We have examined the requirement for intracellular calcium (Ca(2+)) in insulin signal transduction in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Using the Ca(2+) chelator 1,2- bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, sodium (BAPTA-AM), we find both augmentation and inhibition of insulin signaling phenomena. Pretreatment of cells with 50 microM BAPTA-AM did not affect tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)1/2 or insulin receptor (IR)beta. The decreased mobility of IRS1 normally observed after chronic stimulation with insulin, due to serine phosphorylation, was completely eliminated by Ca(2+) chelation. Correlating with decreased insulin-induced serine phosphorylation of IRS1, phosphotyrosine-mediated protein-protein interactions involving p85, IRS1, IRbeta, and phosphotyrosine-specific antibody were greatly enhanced by pretreatment of cells with BAPTA-AM. As a result, insulin-mediated, phosphotyrosine-associated PI3K activity was also enhanced. BAPTA-AM pretreatment inhibited other insulin-induced phosphorylation events including phosphorylation of Akt, MAPK (ERK1 and 2) and p70 S6K. Phosphorylation of Akt on threonine-308 was more sensitive to Ca(2+) depletion than phosphorylation of Akt on serine-473 at the same insulin dose (10 nM). In vitro 3'-phosphatidylinositol-dependent kinase 1 activity was unaffected by BAPTA-AM. Insulin-stimulated insulin-responsive glucose transporter isoform translocation and glucose uptake were both inhibited by calcium depletion. In summary, these data demonstrate a positive role for intracellular Ca(2+) in distal insulin signaling events, including initiation/maintenance of Akt phosphorylation, insulin-responsive glucose transporter isoform translocation, and glucose transport. A negative role for Ca(2+) is also indicated in proximal insulin signaling steps, in that, depletion of intracellular Ca(2+) blocks IRS1 serine/threonine phosphorylation and enhances insulin-stimulated protein-protein interaction and PI3K activity.     

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.     

The tumor suppressor PTEN negatively regulates insulin signaling in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

PTEN is a tumor suppressor with sequence homology to protein-tyrosine phosphatases and the cytoskeleton protein tensin. PTEN is capable of dephosphorylating phosphatidylinositol 3,4, 5-trisphosphate in vitro and down-regulating its levels in insulin-stimulated 293 cells. To study the role of PTEN in insulin signaling, we overexpressed PTEN in 3T3-L1 adipocytes approximately 30-fold above uninfected or control virus (green fluorescent protein)-infected cells, using an adenovirus gene transfer system. PTEN overexpression inhibited insulin-induced 2-deoxy-glucose uptake by 36%, GLUT4 translocation by 35%, and membrane ruffling by 50%, all of which are phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent processes, compared with uninfected cells or cells infected with control virus. Microinjection of an anti-PTEN antibody increased basal and insulin stimulated GLUT4 translocation, suggesting that inhibition of endogenous PTEN function led to an increase in intracellular phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate levels, which stimulates GLUT4 translocation. Further, insulin-induced phosphorylation of downstream targets Akt and p70S6 kinase were also inhibited significantly by overexpression of PTEN, whereas tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor and IRS-1 or the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase were not affected, suggesting that the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway remains fully functional. Thus, we conclude that PTEN may regulate phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent insulin signaling pathways in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.     

Aspirin inhibits serine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 in tumor necrosis factor-treated cells through targeting multiple serine kinases

The hypoglycemic effects of high dose salicylates in the treatment of diabetes were documented before the advent of insulin. However, the molecular mechanisms by which salicylates exert these anti-diabetic effects are not well understood. In this study, we analyzed the effects of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) on serine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) in cells treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. Phosphorylation of IRS-1 at Ser307, Ser267, and Ser612 was monitored by immunoblotting with phospho-specific IRS-1 antibodies. In 3T3-L1 and Hep G2 cells, phosphorylation of IRS-1 at Ser307 in response to TNF-alpha treatment correlated with phosphorylation of JNK, c-Jun, and degradation of IkappaBalpha. Moreover, phosphorylation of IRS-1 at Ser307 in embryo fibroblasts derived from either JNK or IKK knockout mice was reduced when compared with that in the wild-type controls. Taken together, these data suggest that serine phosphorylation of IRS-1 in response to TNF-alpha is mediated, in part, by JNK and IKK. Interestingly, aspirin treatment inhibited the phosphorylation of IRS-1 at Ser307 as well as the phosphorylation of JNK, c-Jun, and degradation of IkappaBalpha. Furthermore, other serine kinases including Akt, extracellular regulated kinase, mammalian target of rapamycin, and PKCzeta were also activated by TNF-alpha (as assessed by phospho-specific antibodies). Phosphorylation of IRS-1 at Ser267 and Ser612 correlated with the activation of these kinases. Phosphorylation of Akt and the mammalian target of rapamycin (but not extracellular regulated kinase or PKCzeta) in response to TNF-alpha was inhibited by aspirin treatment. Finally, aspirin rescued insulin-induced glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes pretreated with TNF-alpha. We conclude that aspirin may enhance insulin sensitivity by protecting IRS proteins from serine phosphorylation catalyzed by multiple kinases.     

Rapamycin partially prevents insulin resistance induced by chronic insulin treatment

Chronic insulin exposure induces serine/threonine phosphorylation and degradation of IRS-1 through a rapamycin-sensitive pathway, which results in a down-regulation of insulin action. In this study, to investigate whether rapamycin (an mTOR inhibitor) could prevent insulin resistance induced by hyperinsulinemia, 3T3-L1 adipocytes were incubated chronically in the presence of insulin with or without the addition of rapamycin. Subsequently, the cells were washed and re-stimulated acutely with insulin. Chronic insulin stimulation caused a reduction of GLUT-4 and IRS-1 proteins with a correlated decrease in acute insulin-induced PKB and MAPK phosphorylations as well as a reduction in insulin-stimulated glucose transport. Rapamycin prevented the reduction of IRS-1 protein levels and insulin-induced PKB Ser-473 phosphorylation with a partial normalization of insulin-induced glucose transport. In contrast, rapamycin had no effect on the decrease in insulin-induced MAPK phosphorylation or GLUT-4 protein levels. These results suggest that chronic insulin exposure leads to a down-regulation of PKB and MAPK pathways through different mechanisms in adipocytes.     

Inhibition of insulin sensitivity by free fatty acids requires activation of multiple serine kinases in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Insulin receptor substrate (IRS) has been suggested as a molecular target of free fatty acids (FFAs) for insulin resistance. However, the signaling pathways by which FFAs lead to the inhibition of IRS function remain to be established. In this study, we explored the FFA-signaling pathway that contributes to serine phosphorylation and degradation of IRS-1 in adipocytes and in dietary obese mice. Linoleic acid, an FFA used in this study, resulted in a reduction in insulin-induced glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. This mimics insulin resistance induced by high-fat diet in C57BL/6J mice. The reduction in glucose uptake is associated with a decrease in IRS-1, but not IRS-2 or GLUT4 protein abundance. Decrease in IRS-1 protein was proceeded by IRS-1 (serine 307) phosphorylation that was catalyzed by serine kinases inhibitor kappaB kinase (IKK) and c-JUN NH2-terminal kinase (JNK). IKK and JNK were activated by linoleic acid and inhibition of the two kinases led to prevention of IRS-1 reduction. We demonstrate that protein kinase C (PKC) theta is expressed in adipocytes. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes and fat tissue, PKCtheta was activated by fatty acids as indicated by its phosphorylation status, and by its protein level, respectively. Activation of PKCtheta contributes to IKK and JNK activation as inhibition of PKCtheta by calphostin C blocked activation of the latter kinases. Inhibition of either PKCtheta or IKK plus JNK by chemical inhibitors resulted in protection of IRS-1 function and insulin sensitivity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. These data suggest that: 1) activation of PKCtheta contributes to IKK and JNK activation by FFAs; 2) IKK and JNK mediate PKCtheta signals for IRS-1 serine phosphorylation and degradation; and 3) this molecular mechanism may be responsible for insulin resistance associated with hyperlipidemia.     

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase-mediated reduction of insulin receptor substrate-1/2 protein expression via different mechanisms contributes to the insulin-induced desensitization of its signaling pathways in L6 muscle cells

Impaired glucose tolerance precedes type 2 diabetes and is characterized by hyperinsulinemia, which develops to balance peripheral insulin resistance. To gain insight into the deleterious effects of hyperinsulinemia on skeletal muscle, we studied the consequences of prolonged insulin treatment of L6 myoblasts on insulin-dependent signaling pathways. A 24-h long insulin treatment desensitized the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (PKB) and p42/p44 MAPK pathways toward a second stimulation with insulin or insulin-like growth factor-1 and led to decreased insulin-induced glucose uptake. Desensitization was correlated to a reduction in insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 and IRS-2 protein levels, which was reversed by the PI3K inhibitor LY294002. Co-treatment of cells with insulin and LY294002, while reducing total IRS-1 phosphorylation, increased its phosphotyrosine content, enhancing IRS-1/PI3K association. PDK1, mTOR, and MAPK inhibitors did not block insulin-induced reduction of IRS-1, suggesting that the PI3K serine-kinase activity causes IRS-1 serine phosphorylation and its commitment to proteasomal degradation. Contrarily, insulin-induced IRS-2 down-regulation occurred via a PI3K/mTOR pathway. Suppression of IRS-1/2 down-regulation by LY294002 rescued the responsiveness of PKB and MAPK toward acute insulin stimulation. Conversely, adenoviral-driven expression of constitutively active PI3K induced an insulin-independent reduction in IRS-1/2 protein levels. IRS-2 appears to be the chief molecule responsible for MAPK and PKB activation by insulin, as knockdown of IRS-2 (but not IRS-1) by RNA interference severely impaired activation of both kinases. In summary, (i) PI3K mediates insulin-induced reduction of IRS-1 by phosphorylating it while a PI3K/mTOR pathway controls insulin-induced reduction of IRS-2, (ii) in L6 cells, IRS-2 is the major adapter molecule linking the insulin receptor to activation of PKB and MAPK, (iii) the mechanism of IRS-1/2 down-regulation is different in L6 cells compared with 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In conclusion, the reduction in IRS proteins via different PI3K-mediated mechanisms contributes to the development of an insulin-resistant state in L6 myoblasts.     

Okadaic acid inhibits insulin-induced glucose transport in fetal brown adipocytes in an Akt-independent and protein kinase C zeta-dependent manner

In the present study we have investigated the effect of increased serine/threonine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrates-1 and -2 (IRS-1 and IRS-2) by okadaic acid pretreatment on brown adipocyte insulin signalling leading to glucose transport, an important metabolic effect of insulin in brown adipose tissue. Okadaic acid pretreatment before insulin stimulation decreased IRS-1 and IRS-2 tyrosine phosphorylation in parallel to a decrease in their sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis mobility. IRS-1/IRS-2-associated p85alpha and phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase enzymatic activity were partly reduced in brown adipocytes pretreated with okadaic acid upon stimulation with insulin. Furthermore, insulin-induced glucose uptake was totally abolished by the inhibitor in parallel with a total inhibition of insulin-induced protein kinase C (PKC) zeta activity. However, activation of Akt/PKB or p70 S6 kinase (p70(s6k)) by insulin remained unaltered. Our results suggest that downstream of PI 3-kinase, insulin signalling diverges into at least two independent pathways through Akt/PKB and PKC zeta, the PKC zeta pathway contributing to glucose transport induced by insulin in fetal brown adipocytes.     

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.     

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.     

Mutation of tyrosine 960 within the insulin receptor juxtamembrane domain impairs glucose transport but does not inhibit ligand-mediated phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-2 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

CSF-1 is equipotent to insulin in its ability to stimulate 2-[3H]deoxyglucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes expressing the colony stimulating factor-1 receptor/insulin receptor chimera (CSF1R/IR). However, CSF-1-stimulated glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis is reduced by 50% in comparison to insulin in 3T3-L1 cells expressing a CSF1R/IR mutated at Tyr960 (CSF1R/IRA960). CSF-1-treated adipocytes expressing the CSF1R/IRA960 were impaired in their ability to phosphorylate insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) but not in their ability to phosphorylate IRS-2. Immunoprecipitation of IRS proteins followed by Western blotting revealed that the intact CSF1R/IR co-precipitates with IRS-2 from CSF-1-treated cells. In contrast, the CSF1R/IRA960 co-precipitates poorly with IRS-2. These observations suggest that Tyr960 is important for interaction of the insulin receptor cytoplasmic domain with IRS-2, but it is not essential to the ability of the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase to use IRS-2 as a substrate. These observations also suggest that in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-2 by the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase is not sufficient for maximal stimulation of receptor-regulated glucose transport or glycogen synthesis.     

Roles of mTOR and JNK in serine phosphorylation, translocation, and degradation of IRS-1

In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, insulin or anisomycin stimulated phosphorylation of IRS-1 at Ser(307) and Ser(636/639), both of which were partially reduced by the mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin, or the JNK inhibitor, SP600125, and were further inhibited by a combination of them. Interestingly, anisomycin-induced p70(S6K) phosphorylation was reduced by SP600125, while insulin-induced p70(S6K) phosphorylation was not. Furthermore, unlike insulin, anisomycin failed to elicit translocation or degradation of IRS-1. These results indicate that mTOR and JNK play roles in phosphorylating IRS-1 serine residues, and that insulin and anisomycin are different in terms of the relationship of activation between mTOR and JNK, and the effects on IRS-1 localization and stability.     

Suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS-1) and SOCS-3 cause insulin resistance through inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate proteins by discrete mechanisms

Insulin resistance is a pathophysiological component of type 2 diabetes and obesity and also occurs in states of stress, infection, and inflammation associated with an upregulation of cytokines. Here we show that in both obesity and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxemia there is an increase in suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins, SOCS-1 and SOCS-3, in liver, muscle, and, to a lesser extent, fat. In concordance with these increases by LPS, tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor (IR) is partially impaired and phosphorylation of the insulin receptor substrate (IRS) proteins is almost completely suppressed. Direct overexpression of SOCS-3 in liver by adenoviral-mediated gene transfer markedly decreases tyrosine phosphorylation of both IRS-1 and IRS-2, while SOCS-1 overexpression preferentially inhibits IRS-2 phosphorylation. Neither affects IR phosphorylation, although both SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 bind to the insulin receptor in vivo in an insulin-dependent fashion. Experiments with cultured cells expressing mutant insulin receptors reveal that SOCS-3 binds to Tyr960 of IR, a key residue for the recognition of IRS-1 and IRS-2, whereas SOCS-1 binds to the domain in the catalytic loop essential for IRS-2 recognition in vitro. Moreover, overexpression of either SOCS-1 or SOCS-3 attenuates insulin-induced glycogen synthesis in L6 myotubes and activation of glucose uptake in 3T3L1 adipocytes. By contrast, a reduction of SOCS-1 or SOCS-3 by antisense treatment partially restores tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced downregulation of tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS proteins in 3T3L1 adipocytes. These data indicate that SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 act as negative regulators in insulin signaling and serve as one of the missing links between insulin resistance and cytokine signaling.     

IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation reflects insulin-induced metabolic and mitogenic responses in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes

We determined the involvement of Tyr-1158 within the regulatory loop of the insulin receptor (IR) in the generation of insulin-specific responses in situ. For this purpose chimeric receptors with an epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor extracellular domain and an IR cytoplasmic domain (EIR) were constructed, which allow activation of the cytoplasmic IR domain without activation of endogenous wt-IRs. Tyr-1158 of the chimera EIR was exchanged for Phe, creating a mutant chimeric receptor (EIR-Y1158F). Chimeric receptors were expressed in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes, which do not show insulin-specific responses upon EGF stimulation. We found that pre-adipocytes expressing EIR-Y1158F were impaired in their ability to stimulate glycogen synthesis and DNA synthesis upon maximal stimulation with EGF. EIR-Y1158F was impaired in its ability to phosphorylate insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 and induce downstream signals of IRS-1 phosphorylation, such as the association of IRS-1 with phosphatidyl-inositol-3'-kinase and the activation of protein kinase B (Akt). In contrast with the phosphorylation of IRS-1, the phosphorylation of IRS-2 and extracellular regulated protein kinase-1/-2 was normal in EIR-Y1158F expressing cells. These observations suggest that the level of IRS-1 phosphorylation rather than the level of IRS-2 phosphorylation mediates insulin-induced glycogen synthesis and DNA synthesis in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes.     

Grb10 inhibits insulin-stimulated insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway by disrupting the association of IRS-1/IRS-2 with the insulin receptor

Grb10 has been proposed to inhibit or activate insulin signaling, depending on cellular context. We have investigated the mechanism by which full-length hGrb10gamma inhibits signaling through the insulin receptor substrate (IRS) proteins. Overexpression of hGrb10gamma in CHO/IR cells and in differentiated adipocytes significantly reduced insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 and IRS-2. Inhibition occurred rapidly and was sustained for 60 min during insulin stimulation. In agreement with inhibited signaling through the IRS/PI 3-kinase pathway, we found hGrb10gamma to both delay and reduce phosphorylation of Akt at Thr(308) and Ser(473) in response to insulin stimulation. Decreased phosphorylation of IRS-1/2 may arise from impaired catalytic activity of the receptor, since hGrb10gamma directly associates with the IR kinase regulatory loop. However, yeast tri-hybrid studies indicated that full-length Grb10 blocks association between IRS proteins and IR, and that this requires the SH2 domain of Grb10. In cells, hGrb10gamma inhibited insulin-stimulated IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner, but did not affect IR catalytic activity toward Tyr(972) in the juxtamembrane region and Tyr(1158/1162/1163) in the regulatory domain. We conclude that binding of hGrb10gamma to IR decreases signaling through the IRS/PI 3-kinase/AKT pathway by physically blocking IRS access to IR.     

IκB kinase β (IKKβ) does not mediate feedback inhibition of the insulin signalling cascade

In the present study, we have examined whether IKKβ [IκB (inhibitor of nuclear factor κB) kinase β] plays a role in feedback inhibition of the insulin signalling cascade. Insulin induces the phosphorylation of IKKβ, in vitro and in vivo, and this effect is dependent on intact signalling via PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase), but not PKB (protein kinase B). To test the hypothesis that insulin activates IKKβ as a means of negative feedback, we employed a variety of experimental approaches. First, pharmacological inhibition of IKKβ via BMS-345541 did not potentiate insulin-induced IRS1 (insulin receptor substrate 1) tyrosine phosphorylation, PKB phosphorylation or 2-deoxyglucose uptake in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. BMS-345541 did not prevent insulin-induced IRS1 serine phosphorylation on known IKKβ target sites. Secondly, adenovirus-mediated overexpression of wild-type IKKβ in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes did not suppress insulin-stimulated 2-deoxyglucose uptake, IRS1 tyrosine phosphorylation, IRS1 association with the p85 regulatory subunit of PI3K or PKB phosphorylation. Thirdly, insulin signalling was not potentiated in mouse embryonic fibroblasts lacking IKKβ. Finally, insulin treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes did not promote the recruitment of IKKβ to IRS1, supporting our findings that IKKβ, although activated by insulin, does not promote direct serine phosphorylation of IRS1 and does not contribute to the feedback inhibition of the insulin signalling cascade.     

Hyperglycemia impairs the insulin signaling step between PI 3-kinase and Akt/PKB activations in ZDF rat liver

Akt/PKB activation is reportedly essential for insulin-induced glucose metabolism in the liver. During the hypoinsulinemic and hyperglycemic phase in the Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rat liver, insulin-induced phosphorylations of the insulin receptor (IR) and insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1/2 were significantly enhanced. Similarly, phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase activities associated with IRS-1/2 were markedly increased in ZDF rat liver compared with those in the control lean rat liver. However, interestingly, insulin-induced phosphorylation and kinase activation of Akt/PKB were severely suppressed. The restoration of normoglycemia by sodium-dependent glucose transporter (SGLT) inhibitor to ZDF rats normalized elevated PI 3-kinase activation and phosphorylation of IR and IRS-1/2 to lean control rat levels. In addition, impaired insulin-induced Akt/PKB activation was also normalized. These results suggest that chronic hyperglycemia reduces the efficiency of the activation step from PI 3-kinase to Akt/PKB kinase and that this impairment is the molecular mechanism underlying hyperglycemia-induced insulin resistance in the liver.