Carboxypeptidase-B-like processing of the C-terminus of glucagon-like peptide-2 in pig and human small intestine

We developed specific, C-terminal radioimmunoassays for three proglucagon (PG) fragments: PG 151-158, PG 151-160 and PG 126-159 (glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2] in order to determine the exact C-terminal sequence of the newly isolated GLP-2 in man and pig. The antigens and the antisera showed no mutual cross-reactivity. By gel filtration of extracts of pig and human small intestine, the immunoreactivity eluting at the position of GLP-2 was identified by the radioimmunoassays for glucagon-like peptide-2 (PG 126-159) and for PG 151-158, whereas the assay for PG 151-160 was completely negative. We conclude that the C-terminal amino acid residue of pig and human ileal GLP-2 is PG 158. Thus the basic residues, PG 159 and 160 are removed during its processing in the small intestine.     

Direct and indirect mechanisms regulating secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucagon-like peptide-2

The proglucagon-derived peptide family consists of three highly related peptides, glucagon and the glucagon-like peptides GLP-1 and GLP-2. Although the biological activity of glucagon as a counter-regulatory hormone has been known for almost a century, studies conducted over the past decade have now also elucidated important roles for GLP-1 as an antidiabetic hormone, and for GLP-2 as a stimulator of intestinal growth. In contrast to pancreatic glucagon, the GLPs are synthesized in the intestinal epithelial L cells, where they are subject to the influences of luminal nutrients, as well as to a variety of neuroendocrine inputs. In this review, we will focus on the complex integrative mechanisms that regulate the secretion of these peptides from L cells, including both direct and indirect regulation by ingested nutrients.     

Glucagon-like peptide-1 modulates neurally evoked mucosal chloride secretion in guinea pig small intestine in vitro

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) acts at the G protein-coupled receptor, GLP-1R, to stimulate secretion of insulin and to inhibit secretion of glucagon and gastric acid. Involvement in mucosal secretory physiology has received negligible attention. We aimed to study involvement of GLP-1 in mucosal chloride secretion in the small intestine. Ussing chamber methods, in concert with transmural electrical field stimulation (EFS), were used to study actions on neurogenic chloride secretion. ELISA was used to study GLP-1R effects on neural release of acetylcholine (ACh). Intramural localization of GLP-1R was assessed with immunohistochemistry. Application of GLP-1 to serosal or mucosal sides of flat-sheet preparations in Ussing chambers did not change baseline short-circuit current (I(sc)), which served as a marker for chloride secretion. Transmural EFS evoked neurally mediated biphasic increases in I(sc) that had an initial spike-like rising phase followed by a sustained plateau-like phase. Blockade of the EFS-evoked responses by tetrodotoxin indicated that the responses were neurally mediated. Application of GLP-1 reduced the EFS-evoked biphasic responses in a concentration-dependent manner. The GLP-1 receptor antagonist exendin-(9-39) suppressed this action of GLP-1. The GLP-1 inhibitory action on EFS-evoked responses persisted in the presence of nicotinic or vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor antagonists but not in the presence of a muscarinic receptor antagonist. GLP-1 significantly reduced EFS-evoked ACh release. In the submucosal plexus, GLP-1R immunoreactivity (IR) was expressed by choline acetyltransferase-IR neurons, neuropeptide Y-IR neurons, somatostatin-IR neurons, and vasoactive intestinal peptide-IR neurons. Our results suggest that GLP-1R is expressed in guinea pig submucosal neurons and that its activation leads to a decrease in neurally evoked chloride secretion by suppressing release of ACh at neuroepithelial junctions in the enteric neural networks that control secretomotor functions.     

Cellular glucose availability and glucagon-like peptide-1

Glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) are produced in enteroendocrine L-cells and K-cells, respectively. They are known as incretins because they potentiate postprandial insulin secretion. Although unresponsiveness of type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients to GIP has now been reconsidered, GLP-1 mimetics and inhibitors of the GLP-1 degradation enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-4 have now been launched as drugs against T2D. The major roles of GLP-1 in T2D are reduction of appetite, gastric motility, glucagon secretion, enhancement of insulin secretion and β-cell survival. For insulin secretion and peripheral insulin function, GLP-1 and its mimetics sensitise β-cells to glucose; accelerate blood glucose withdrawal, in-cell glucose utilisation and glycogen synthesis in insulin-sensitive tissues; and assist in the function and survival of neurons mainly using glucose as an energy source. Taken together, GLP-1 acts to potentiate glucose availability of various cells or tissues to assist with their essential functions and/or survival. Herein, we review the signalling pathways and clinical relevance of GLP-1 in enhancing cellular glucose availability. On the basis of our recent research results, we also describe a mechanism that regulates GLP-1 for glucokinase activity. Because diabetic tissues including β-cells resist glucose, GLP-1 may be useful for treating T2D.     

Proteome analysis of recombinant Escherichia coli producing human glucagon-like peptide-1

The proteomic response of recombinant Escherichia coli producing human glucagon-like peptide-1 was analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Protein spots in two-dimensional gel could be identified by using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and their expression profiles were compared with those of nonproducing cells. Thirty-five intracellular proteins exhibited differential expression levels between the production and control strains. These changes reflected physiological responses to heterologous peptide production in recombinant E. coli. Specifically, physiological changes included the down-regulation of proteins involved in the central carbon metabolism, biosynthesis of cellular building blocks and peptides, and up-regulation of cell protection proteins and some sugar transport proteins. This comprehensive analysis would provide useful information for understanding physiological alterations to heterologous peptide production and for designing efficient metabolic engineering strategies for the production of recombinant peptides in E. coli.     

Production and solid-phase refolding of human glucagon-like peptide-1 using recombinant Escherichia coli

A cDNA encoding cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD), catalyzing conversion of cinnamyl aldehydes to corresponding cinnamyl alcohols, was cloned from secondary xylem of Leucaena leucocephala. The cloned cDNA was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) pLysS cells. Temperature and Zn(2+) ion played crucial role in expression and activity of enzyme, such that, at 18°C and at 2 mM Zn(2+) the CAD was maximally expressed as active enzyme in soluble fraction. The expressed protein was purified 14.78-folds to homogeneity on Ni-NTA agarose column with specific activity of 346 nkat/mg protein. The purified enzyme exhibited lowest Km with cinnamyl alcohol (12.2 μM) followed by coniferyl (18.1 μM) and sinapyl alcohol (23.8 μM). Enzyme exhibited high substrate inhibition with cinnamyl (beyond 20 μM) and coniferyl (beyond 100 μM) alcohols. The in silico analysis of CAD protein exhibited four characteristic consensus sequences, GHEXXGXXXXXGXXV; C(100), C(103), C(106), C(114); GXGXXG and C(47), S(49), H(69), L(95), C(163), I(300) involved in catalytic Zn(2+) binding, structural Zn(2+) binding, NADP(+) binding and substrate binding, respectively. Tertiary structure, generated using Modeller 9v5, exhibited a trilobed structure with bulged out structural Zn(2+) binding domain. The catalytic Zn(2+) binding, substrate binding and NADP(+) binding domains formed a pocket protected by two major lobes. The enzyme catalysis, sequence homology and 3-D model, all supported that the cloned CAD belongs to alcohol dehydrogenase family of plants.     

Effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 on insulin secretion

The insulinotropic actions of two forms of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) containing 31 and 37 amino acid residues on perfused rat pancreas were compared with that of gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), hitherto the most potent intestinal insulinotropic polypeptide known. The smaller form, C-terminally amidated GLP-1-(7-36), strongly enhanced insulin secretion stimulated by 11.1 mM D-glucose at a concentration as low as 0.1 nM. Comparable effects of GIP and GLP-1-(1-37) on insulin secretion were observed at concentrations of 1.0 nM and 10.0 nM, respectively. At the doses tested, neither GLP-1s nor GIP had any effect on insulin secretion induced by 3.3 mM D-glucose. At a concentration of 1.0 nM, GLP-1-(7-36 amide) also enhanced insulin secretion induced by 5 mM L-arginine whereas at concentrations of up to 10.0 nM, GLP-1-(1-37) did not. The results show that the smaller form of GLP-1 is more strongly insulinotropic than GIP. These findings suggest that the smaller GLP-1 may have a physiologically more important role as a modulator of insulin release.     

A human glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor polymorphism results in reduced agonist responsiveness

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and its cognate receptor play an important physiological role in maintaining blood glucose homeostasis. A GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) polymorphism in which threonine 149 is substituted with a methionine residue has been recently identified in a patient with type 2 diabetes but was not found in non-diabetic control subjects. We have functionally assessed the recombinant GLP-1R variant after transient expression in COS-7 and HEK 293 cells. Compared to the wild type receptor, the variant GLP-1R showed (i) similar expression levels, (ii) 60-and 5-fold reduced binding affinities, respectively, for two GLP-1R full agonists, GLP-1 and exendin-4, and (iii) markedly decreased potencies of these peptides in triggering cAMP-mediated signaling (despite conserved efficacies). In contrast to full agonists, the efficacy of the primary GLP-1 metabolite/GLP-1R partial agonist, GLP-1 (9-36) amide, was essentially abolished by the T149M substitution. By hydropathy analysis, the polymorphism localizes to transmembrane domain 1, suggesting this receptor segment as a novel determinant of agonist affinity/efficacy. These findings reveal that naturally occurring sequence variability of the GLP-1R within the human population can result in substantial loss-of-function. A genetic link between the T149M variant and increased susceptibility to type 2 diabetes remains to be established.     

Inhibition of human gastric lipase by intraduodenal fat involves glucagon-like peptide-1 and cholecystokinin

Seven healthy volunteers were intubated with two double lumen nasogastric tubes, one in the stomach, the other in the duodenum. This system allows simultaneous sampling of gastric juice and separate intraduodenal perfusion with a dietary fat (fish oil, 1269 kJ). Gastrin-17 was infused i.v. at a rate of 40 pmol/kg/h throughout the study. Gastric lipase was measured at 15-min intervals as activity (tributyrin) and as immunoreactivity (ELISA). Infusion of gastrin-17 resulted in a stable increase in the plasma concentration from a basal concentration of 8.3±0.8 pmol/l to 41.4±4.2 pmol/l. Perfusion with fat reduced gastric lipase activity from 24.2±5.3 to 7.2±2.5 kU/l (P<0.05), and immunoreactivity from 0.7±0.1 to 0.42±0.1 mg/l (P<0.05). After termination of fat perfusion, gastric lipase secretion increased again, though not reaching preinhibitory concentrations. During the intraduodenal perfusion with fat the plasma concentrations of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and cholecystokinin (CCK) increased from 6.9±0.5 to 15.1±1.5 pmol/l (P<0.05) and from 1.2±0.4 to 3.8±0.9 pmol/l (P<0.05). This study reveals a negative effect of fat in the duodenum on gastric lipase secretion. This effect may be mediated by GLP-1 and/or CCK.     

Two small molecule agonists of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor modulate the receptor activation response differently

The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) is a target for type 2 diabetes treatment. Due to the inconvenience of peptide therapeutics, small-molecule GLP-1R agonists have been studied. Compound 2 (6,7-dichloro-2-methylsulfonyl-2-N-tert-butylaminoquinoxaline) and compound B (4-(3-(benzyloxy)phenyl)-2-(ethylsulfinyl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyrimidine) have been described as small molecule, ago-allosteric modulators of GLP-1R. However, their modes of action at the GLP-1R have not been elucidated. Thus, in this study, we compared the mechanisms of action between these two compounds. When compound 2 was treated with endogenous or exogenous peptide agonists (GLP-1 and exenatide) or fragments of peptide agonists (GLP-1(9-36), Ex3, Ex4, and Ex5), the response curve of these peptide agonists shifted left without a change in maximum efficacy. In contrast, compound B potentiated the response and increased maximum efficacy. However, N-terminal truncated orthosteric antagonists including Ex7, Ex9, and Ex10, augmented the response of compound 2 at the GLP-1R but did not alter compound B activity. Intriguingly, when we co-treated compound 2 with compound B in CHO cells expressing full-length hGLP-1R or N-terminal extracellular domain-truncated GLP-1R, the activation of both types of receptors increased additively, implying that the N-terminus of the receptor is not involved in the modulation by compound agonists. We confirmed that these two compounds increased calcium influx by different patterns in CHO cells expressing GLP-1R. Taken together, our findings suggest that compounds 2 and B have different modes of action to activate GLP-1R. Further study to identify the putative binding sites will help in the discovery of orally available GLP-1R agonists.     

Ghrelin and glucagon-like peptide-2 increase immediately following massive small bowel resection

Children with short bowel syndrome face life-threatening complications. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a new therapy to induce effective adaptation of the remnant intestine. Adaptation occurs only during feeding. We focused on preprandial acyl ghrelin and des-acyl ghrelin, and postprandial glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2), which are known to have active orexigenic and trophic actions. This study aims to clarify the secretion trends of these hormones after massive small bowel resection and to obtain basic data for developing a new treatment. Sixty-three growing male rats were used: 3 were designated as controls receiving no operation and 60 were randomized into the 80% small bowel resection (80% SBR) group and the transection and re-anastomosis group. Changes in body weight, food intake, and remnant intestine morphology were also assessed for 15 days after the operation. Acyl ghrelin and des-acyl ghrelin levels increased immediately, equivalently in both operation groups (P = 0.09 and 0.70). Interestingly, in 80% SBR animals, des-acyl ghrelin peaked on day 1 and acyl ghrelin peaked on day 4 (P = 0.0007 and P = 0.049 vs controls). GLP-2 secretion was obvious in 80% SBR animals (P = 2.25 × 10⁻⁶), which increased immediately and peaked on day 4 (P = 0.009 vs. controls). Body weight and food intake in 80% SBR animals recovered to preoperative levels on day 4. Morphological adaptations were evident after day 4. Our results may suggest a management strategy to reinforce these physiological hormone secretion patterns in developing a new therapy for short bowel syndrome.     

Small molecule ago-allosteric modulators of the human glucagon-like peptide-1 (hGLP-1) receptor

Following our previous publication describing the biological profiles, we herein describe the structure-activity relationships of a core set of quinoxalines as the hGLP-1 receptor agonists. The most potent and efficacious compounds are 6,7-dichloroquinoxalines bearing an alkyl sulfonyl group at the C-2 position and a secondary alkyl amino group at the C-3 position. These findings serve as a valuable starting point for the discovery of more drug-like small molecule agonists for the hGLP-1 receptor.     

长效GLP-1受体激动剂的研发进展

胰高血糖素样肽-1(glucagon-like Peptide-1,GLP-1)是机体在葡萄糖等刺激下释放的一类肠促胰岛素。GLP-1具有促进葡萄糖依赖性胰岛素分泌,促进胰岛β细胞增殖并抑制其凋亡、抑制摄食、减慢胃排空和减轻体重等作用。GLP-1在体内极不稳定,易被二肽基肽酶-IV(dipeptidyl peptidase-IV,DPP-IV)降解,半衰期短。从墨西哥巨蜥蜴唾液中分离得到GLP-1的天然类似物Exendin-4与其有着相似的作用,且不易被DPP-IV降解。以GLP-1及Exendin-4为基础,研发长效GLP-1受体激动剂,已成为研发新型糖尿病治疗药物的热点之一。本文就长效GLP-1受体激动剂的研发现状予以综述。     

Oleoyl-lysophosphatidylinositol enhances glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion from enteroendocrine L-cells through GPR119

The gastrointestinal tract is increasingly viewed as critical in controlling glucose metabolism, because of its role in secreting multiple glucoregulatory hormones, such as glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Here we investigate the molecular pathways behind the GLP-1- and insulin-secreting capabilities of a novel GPR119 agonist, Oleoyl-lysophosphatidylinositol (Oleoyl-LPI). Oleoyl-LPI is the only LPI species able to potently stimulate the release of GLP-1 in vitro, from murine and human L-cells, and ex-vivo from murine colonic primary cell preparations. Here we show that Oleoyl-LPI mediates GLP-1 secretion through GPR119 as this activity is ablated in cells lacking GPR119 and in colonic primary cell preparation from GPR119^?/? mice. Similarly, Oleoyl-LPI-mediated insulin secretion is impaired in islets isolated from GPR119^?/? mice. On the other hand, GLP-1 secretion is not impaired in cells lacking GPR55 in vitro or in colonic primary cell preparation from GPR55^?/? mice. We therefore conclude that GPR119 is the Oleoyl-LPI receptor, upstream of ERK1/2 and cAMP/PKA/CREB pathways, where primarily ERK1/2 is required for GLP-1 secretion, while CREB activation appears dispensable.     

Neural regulation of glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion in pigs

Glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 is secreted rapidly from the intestine postprandially. We therefore investigated its possible neural regulation. With the use of isolated perfused porcine ileum, GLP-1 secretion was measured in response to electrical stimulation of the mixed, perivascular nerve supply and infusions of neuroactive agents alone and in combination with different blocking agents. Electrical nerve stimulation inhibited GLP-1 secretion, an effect abolished by phentolamine. Norepinephrine inhibited secretion, and phentolamine abolished this effect. GLP-1 secretion was stimulated by isoproterenol (abolished by propranolol). Acetylcholine stimulated GLP-1 secretion, and atropine blocked this effect. Dimethylphenylpiperazine stimulated GLP-1 secretion. In chloralose-anesthetized pigs, however, electrical stimulation of the vagal trunks at the level of the diaphragm had no effect on GLP-1 or GLP-2 and weak effects on glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide and somatostatin secretion, although this elicited a marked atropine-resistant release of the neuropeptide vasoactive intestinal polypeptide to the portal circulation. Thus GLP-1 secretion is inhibited by the sympathetic nerves to the gut and may be stimulated by intrinsic cholinergic nerves, whereas the extrinsic vagal supply has no effect.     

Structure, measurement, and secretion of human glucagon-like peptide-2

By using radioimmunoassays toward the cDNA-predicted amino acid sequence of human glucagon-like peptide-2, a peptide was isolated from extracts of human ileum. By mass spectrometry and Edman sequencing, this peptide was identified as human proglucagon 126-158. High-performance liquid chromatography analyses indicated that a similar immunoreactive peptide (iGLP-2) was present in human plasma. Human plasma concentrations of iGLP-2 were elevated 3- to 4-fold at 1 to 2 h after ingestion of 800 to 1200 kcal meals.     

Novel insights into the dynamics behavior of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor with its small molecule agonists

Abstract

The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) is a well-known target of therapeutics industries for the treatment of various metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes and obesity. The structural–functional relationships of small molecule agonists and GLP-1R are yet to be understood. Therefore, an attempt was made on structurally known GLP-1R agonists (Compound 1, Compound 2, Compound A, Compound B, and (S)-8) to study their interaction with the extracellular domain of GLP-1R. In this study, we explored the dynamics, intrinsic stability, and binding mechanisms of these molecules through computational modeling, docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and molecular mechanics Poisson–Boltzmann surface area (MM/PBSA) binding free energy estimation. Molecular docking study depicted that hydrophobic interaction (pi–pi stacking) plays a crucial role in maintaining the stability of the complex, which was also supported by intermolecular analysis from MD simulation study. Principal component analysis suggested that the terminal ends along with the turns/loops connecting adjacent helix and strands exhibit a comparatively higher movement of main chain atoms in most of the complexes. MM/PBSA binding free energy study revealed that non-polar solvation (van der Waals and electrostatic) energy subsidizes significantly to the total binding energy, and the polar solvation energy opposes the binding agonists to GLP-1R. Overall, we provide structural features information about GLP-1R complexes that would be conducive for the discovery of new GLP-1R agonists in the future for the treatment of various metabolic diseases.

Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma     

Metformin effects on dipeptidylpeptidase IV degradation of glucagon-like peptide-1

There is current interest in the use of inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP IV) as therapeutic agents to normalize glycemic excursions in type 2 diabetic patients. Data indicating that metformin increases the circulating amount of active glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in obese nondiabetic subjects have recently been presented, and it was proposed that metformin might act as a DP IV inhibitor. This possibility has been investigated directly using a number of in vitro methods. Studies were performed on DP IV enzyme from three sources: 20% human serum, purified porcine kidney DP IV, and recombinant human DP IV. Inhibition of DP IV hydrolysis of the substrate Gly-Pro-pNA by metformin was examined spectrophotometrically. Effects of metformin on GLP-1([7-36NH2]) degradation were assessed by mass spectrometry. In addition, surface plasmon resonance was used to establish whether or not metformin had any effect on GLP-1([7-36NH2]) or GLP-1([9-36NH2]) interaction with immobilized porcine or human DP IV. Metformin failed to alter the kinetics of Gly-Pro-pNA hydrolysis or GLP-1 degradation tested according to established methods. Surface plasmon resonance recordings indicated that both GLP-1([7-36NH2]) and GLP-1([9-36NH2]) show micromolar affinity (K(D)) for DP IV, but neither interaction was influenced by metformin. The results conclusively indicate that metformin does not act directly on DP IV, therefore alternative explanations for the purported effect of metformin on circulating active GLP-1 concentrations must be considered.