Ca²âº signals promote GLUT4 exocytosis and reduce its endocytosis in muscle cells.

Elevating cytosolic Ca(2+) stimulates glucose uptake in skeletal muscle, but how Ca(2+) affects intracellular traffic of GLUT4 is unknown. In tissue, changes in Ca(2+) leading to contraction preclude analysis of the impact of individual, Ca(2+)-derived signals. In L6 muscle cells stably expressing GLUT4myc, the Ca(2+) ionophore ionomycin raised cytosolic Ca(2+) and caused a gain in cell surface GLUT4myc. Extra- and intracellular Ca(2+) chelators (EGTA, BAPTA-AM) reversed this response. Ionomycin activated calcium calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII), AMPK, and PKCs, but not Akt. Silencing CaMKIIδ or AMPKα1/α2 partly reduced the ionomycin-induced gain in surface GLUT4myc, as did peptidic or small molecule inhibitors of CaMKII (CN21) and AMPK (Compound C). Compared with the conventional isoenzyme PKC inhibitor Gö6976, the conventional plus novel PKC inhibitor Gö6983 lowered the ionomycin-induced gain in cell surface GLUT4myc. Ionomycin stimulated GLUT4myc exocytosis and inhibited its endocytosis in live cells. siRNA-mediated knockdown of CaMKIIδ or AMPKα1/α2 partly reversed ionomycin-induced GLUT4myc exocytosis but did not prevent its reduced endocytosis. Compared with Gö6976, Gö6983 markedly reversed the slowing of GLUT4myc endocytosis triggered by ionomycin. In summary, rapid Ca(2+) influx into muscle cells accelerates GLUT4myc exocytosis while slowing GLUT4myc endocytosis. CaMKIIδ and AMPK stimulate GLUT4myc exocytosis, whereas novel PKCs reduce endocytosis. These results identify how Ca(2+)-activated signals selectively regulate GLUT4 exocytosis and endocytosis in muscle cells.

Expression of anti-inflammatory macrophage genes within skeletal muscle correlates with insulin sensitivity in human obesity and type 2 diabetes.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Low-grade systemic inflammation and adipose tissue inflammatory macrophages are frequently detected in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Whether inflammatory macrophages also increase in skeletal muscle of individuals with metabolic disorders remains controversial. Here, we assess whether macrophage polarisation markers in skeletal muscle of humans correlate with insulin sensitivity in obesity and type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Skeletal muscle biopsies were obtained from individuals of normal weight and with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), and overweight/obese individuals with or without type 2 diabetes. Insulin sensitivity was determined by euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamps. Expression of macrophage genes was analysed by quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS: Gene expression of the inflammatory macrophage phenotype marker cluster of differentiation (CD)11c was higher in muscle of type 2 diabetes patients (p = 0.0069), and correlated with HbA1c (p = 0.0139, ρ = 0.48) and fasting plasma glucose (p = 0.0284, ρ = 0.43), but not after correction for age. Expression of TGFB1, encoding the anti-inflammatory marker TGF-ß1, correlated inversely with HbA1c (p = 0.0095, ρ = -0.50; p = 0.0484, ρ = -0.50) and fasting plasma glucose (p = 0.0471, ρ = -0.39; p = 0.0374, ρ = -0.52) in two cohorts, as did HbA1c with gene expression of macrophage galactose-binding lectin (MGL) (p = 0.0425, ρ = -0.51). TGFB1 expression was higher in NGT individuals than in individuals with type 2 diabetes (p = 0.0303), and correlated with low fasting plasma insulin (p = 0.0310, ρ = -0.42). In exercised overweight/obese individuals, expression of genes for three anti-inflammatory macrophage markers, MGL (p = 0.0031, ρ = 0.71), CD163 (p = 0.0268, ρ = 0.57) and mannose receptor (p = 0.0125, ρ = 0.63), correlated with high glucose-disposal rate. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Muscle expression of macrophage genes reveals a link between inflammatory macrophage markers, age and high glycaemia, whereas anti-inflammatory markers correlate with low glycaemia and high glucose-disposal rate.

Requirement for distinct vesicle-associated membrane proteins in insulin- and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-induced translocation of GLUT4 and CD36 in cultured cardiomyocytes.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Upon stimulation of insulin signalling or contraction-induced AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation, the glucose transporter GLUT4 and the long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) transporter CD36 similarly translocate from intracellular compartments to the plasma membrane of cardiomyocytes to increase uptake of glucose and LCFA, respectively. This similarity in regulation of GLUT4 traffic and CD36 traffic suggests that the same families of trafficking proteins, including vesicle-associated membrane proteins (VAMPs), are involved in both processes. While several VAMPs have been implicated in GLUT4 traffic, nothing is known about the putative function of VAMPs in CD36 traffic. Therefore, we compared the involvement of the myocardially produced VAMP isoforms in insulin- or contraction-induced GLUT4 and CD36 translocation. METHODS: Five VAMP isoforms were silenced in HL-1 cardiomyocytes. The cells were treated with insulin or the contraction-like AMPK activator oligomycin or were electrically stimulated to contract. Subsequently, GLUT4 and CD36 translocation as well as substrate uptake were measured. RESULTS: Three VAMPs were demonstrated to be necessary for both GLUT4 and CD36 translocation, either specifically in insulin-treated cells (VAMP2, VAMP5) or in oligomycin/contraction-treated cells (VAMP3). In addition, there are VAMPs specifically involved in either GLUT4 traffic (VAMP7 mediates basal GLUT4 retention) or CD36 traffic (VAMP4 mediates insulin- and oligomycin/contraction-induced CD36 translocation). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The involvement of distinct VAMP isoforms in both GLUT4 and CD36 translocation indicates that CD36 translocation, just like GLUT4 translocation, is a vesicle-mediated process dependent on soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complex formation. The ability of other VAMPs to discriminate between GLUT4 and CD36 translocation allows the notion that myocardial substrate preference can be modulated by these VAMPs.

Insulin-induced cortical actin remodeling promotes GLUT4 insertion at muscle cell membrane ruffles.

Insulin stimulates glucose uptake by recruiting glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) from an intracellular compartment to the cell surface; this phenomenon is defective in type 2 diabetes. Here we examine the involvement of actin filaments in GLUT4 translocation and their possible defects in insulin resistance, using L6 myotubes expressing myc-tagged GLUT4. Insulin caused membrane ruffling, a dynamic distortion of the myotube dorsal surface. Fluorescence microscopy and immunogold staining of surface GLUT4myc coupled to backscatter electron microscopy revealed a high density of this protein in membrane ruffles. The t-SNAREs syntaxin4 and SNAP-23 were also abundant in these regions. Below the membrane, GLUT4 and the vesicular protein VAMP2, but not VAMP3, colocalized with the actin structures supporting the membrane ruffles. GLUT4myc externalization and membrane ruffles were reduced by jasplakinolide and by swinholide-A, drugs that affect actin filament stability and prevent actin branching, respectively. Insulin resistance generated by prolonged (24 hours) exposure of myotubes to high glucose and insulin diminished the acute insulin-dependent remodeling of cortical actin and GLUT4myc translocation, reminiscent of the effect of swinholide-A. We propose that GLUT4 vesicle incorporation into the plasma membrane involves insulin-dependent cortical actin remodeling and that defective actin remodeling contributes to insulin resistance.

Glucose transport in human skeletal muscle cells in culture. Stimulation by insulin and metformin.

Primary human muscle cell cultures were established and the regulation of glucose transport was investigated. Primary cultures were allowed to proceed to the stage of myotubes through fusion of myoblasts or were used for clonal selection based on fusion potential. In clonally selected cultures, hexose (2-deoxy-glucose) uptake into myotubes was linear within the time of study and inhibitable by cytochalasin B (IC50 = 400 nM). Cytochalasin B photolabeled a protein(s) of 45,000-50,000 D in a D-glucose-protectable manner, suggesting identity with the glucose transporters. In the myotube stage, the cells expressed both the GLUT1 and GLUT4 glucose transporter protein isoforms at an average molar ratio of 7:1. Preincubation in media of increasing glucose concentrations (range 5-25 mM) progressively decreased the rate of 2-deoxyglucose uptake. Insulin elevated 2-deoxyglucose uptake in a dose-dependent manner, with half maximal stimulation achieved at 3.5 nM. Insulin also stimulated the transport of the nonmetabolizable hexose 3-O-methylglucose, as well as the activity of glycogen synthase, responsible for nonoxidative glucose metabolism. The oral antihyperglycemic drug metformin stimulated the cytochalasin B-sensitive component of both 2-deoxyglucose and 3-O-methylglucose uptake. Maximal stimulation was observed at 8 h of exposure to 50 microM metformin, and this effect was not prevented by incubation with the protein-synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. The relative effect of metformin was higher in cells incubated in 25 mM glucose than in 5 mM glucose, consistent with its selective action in hyperglycemic conditions in vivo. Metformin (50 microM for 24 h) was more effective than insulin (1 microM for 1 h) in stimulating hexose uptake and the hormone was effective on top of the stimulation caused by the biguanide, suggesting independent mechanisms of action.

Protein kinase B/Akt participates in GLUT4 translocation by insulin in L6 myoblasts.

L6 myoblasts stably transfected with a GLUT4 cDNA harboring an exofacial myc epitope tag (L6-GLUT4myc myoblasts) were used to study the role of protein kinase B alpha (PKBalpha)/Akt1 in the insulin-induced translocation of GLUT4 to the cell surface. Surface GLUT4myc was detected by immunofluorescent labeling of the myc epitope in nonpermeabilized cells. Insulin induced a marked translocation of GLUT4myc to the plasma membrane within 20 min. This was prevented by transient transfection of a dominant inhibitory construct of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase (Deltap85alpha). Transiently transfected cells were identified by cotransfection of green fluorescent protein. A constitutively active PKBalpha, created by fusion of a viral Gag protein at its N terminus (GagPKB), increased the cell surface density of GLUT4myc compared to that of neighboring nontransfected cells. A kinase-inactive, phosphorylation-deficient PKBalpha/Akt1 construct with the mutations K179A (substitution of alanine for the lysine at position 179), T308A, and S473A (AAA-PKB) behaved as a dominant-negative inhibitor of insulin-dependent activation of cotransfected wild-type hemagglutinin (HA)-tagged PKB. Furthermore, AAA-PKB markedly inhibited the insulin-induced phosphorylation of cotransfected BAD, demonstrating inhibition of the endogenous PKB/Akt. Under the same conditions, AAA-PKB almost entirely blocked the insulin-dependent increase in surface GLUT4myc. PKBalpha with alanine substitutions T308A and S473A (AA-PKB) or K179A (A-PKB) alone was a less potent inhibitor of insulin-dependent activation of wild-type HA-PKB or GLUT4myc translocation than was AAA-PKB. Cotransfection of AAA-PKB with a fourfold DNA excess of HA-PKB rescued insulin-stimulated GLUT4myc translocation. AAA-PKB did not prevent actin bundling (membrane ruffling), though this response was PI 3-kinase dependent. Therefore, it is unlikely that AAA-PKB acted by inhibiting PI 3-kinase signaling. These results outline an important role for PKBalpha/Akt1 in the stimulation of glucose transport by insulin in muscle cells in culture.

Opposite effects of insulin on focal adhesion proteins in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and in cells overexpressing the insulin receptor.

Insulin can regulate the abundance and organization of filamentous actin within cells in culture. Early studies using cell lines that overexpress the insulin receptor demonstrated that insulin caused a rapid reversible disassembly of actin filaments that coincided with the rapid tyrosine dephosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase. We have extended these studies by demonstrating that paxillin, another focal adhesion protein, and Src undergo tyrosine dephosphorylation in response to insulin in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and rat hepatoma (HTC) cells that overexpress the insulin receptor. This contrasted with the effect of insulin in parental CHO and HTC cells in which focal adhesion proteins were not dephosphorylated in response to the hormone. In addition, insulin caused a dispersion of focal adhesion proteins and disruption of actin filament bundles only in cells that overexpressed the insulin receptor. Moreover, in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, which are considered prototypic insulin-responsive cells, actin filament assembly was stimulated, and focal adhesion protein tyrosine phosphorylation was not altered. 3T3-L1 cells have more insulin receptors than either parental CHO or HTC cells but have fivefold less insulin receptors than the overexpressing cell lines. We hypothesize that a threshold may exist in which the overexpression of insulin receptors determines how insulin signaling pathways regulate the actin cytoskeleton.

Syntaxin 4 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes: regulation by insulin and participation in insulin-dependent glucose transport.

Syntaxins are thought to be membrane receptors that bind proteins of the synaptobrevin/vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP) family found on transport vesicles. Recently, we detected synaptobrevin II and cellubrevin on immunopurified vesicles containing the glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) in insulin-responsive cells. In an effort to identify the plasma membrane receptors for these vesicles, we now examine the expression of syntaxins in the 3T3-L1 adipocyte cell line. Neither syntaxin 1A nor 1B was found, in keeping with the neuronal restriction of these isoforms. In contrast, syntaxins 2 and 4 were readily detectable. By subcellular fractionation and estimation of protein yields, 67% of syntaxin 4 was localized to the plasma membrane, 24% to the low-density microsomes, and 9% to the high-density microsomes. Interestingly, acute insulin treatment decreased the content of syntaxin 4 in low-density microsomes and caused a corresponding gain in the plasma membrane fraction, reminiscent of the recruitment of GLUT4 glucose transporters. In contrast, there was no change in the distribution of syntaxin 2, which was mostly associated in the plasma membrane. A fraction of the intracellular syntaxin 4 was recovered with immunopurified GLUT4-containing vesicles. Moreover, anti-syntaxin 4 antibodies introduced in permeabilized 3T3-L1 adipocytes significantly reduced the insulin-dependent stimulation of glucose transport, in contrast to the introduction of irrelevant immunoglobulin G, which was without consequence. We propose that either the plasma membrane and/or the vesicular syntaxin 4 are involved in docking and/or fusion of GLUT4 vesicles at the cell surface of 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

VAMP2, but not VAMP3/cellubrevin, mediates insulin-dependent incorporation of GLUT4 into the plasma membrane of L6 myoblasts.

Like neuronal synaptic vesicles, intracellular GLUT4-containing vesicles must dock and fuse with the plasma membrane, thereby facilitating insulin-regulated glucose uptake into muscle and fat cells. GLUT4 colocalizes in part with the vesicle SNAREs VAMP2 and VAMP3. In this study, we used a single-cell fluorescence-based assay to compare the functional involvement of VAMP2 and VAMP3 in GLUT4 translocation. Transient transfection of proteolytically active tetanus toxin light chain cleaved both VAMP2 and VAMP3 proteins in L6 myoblasts stably expressing exofacially myc-tagged GLUT4 protein and inhibited insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation. Tetanus toxin also caused accumulation of the remaining C-terminal VAMP2 and VAMP3 portions in Golgi elements. This behavior was exclusive to these proteins, because the localization of intracellular myc-tagged GLUT4 protein was not affected by the toxin. Upon cotransfection of tetanus toxin with individual vesicle SNARE constructs, only toxin-resistant VAMP2 rescued the inhibition of insulin-dependent GLUT4 translocation by tetanus toxin. Moreover, insulin caused a cortical actin filament reorganization in which GLUT4 and VAMP2, but not VAMP3, were clustered. We propose that VAMP2 is a resident protein of the insulin-sensitive GLUT4 compartment and that the integrity of this protein is required for GLUT4 vesicle incorporation into the cell surface in response to insulin.

Distribution of sulfhydryl groups in intestinal brush border membranes. Localization of side-chains essential for glucose transport and phlorizin binding.

1. Brush border membrane vesicles from rabbit small intestine were found to contain 46 nmol SH groups/mg protein, 52% of which could react with 4,4'-dithiodipyridine, a membrane permeating probe. Only 18% of the total SH-groups reacted with the impermeant probe 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid), indicating that only this fraction is externally located. 2. Brush border membrane vesicles could be disrupted by a gentle treatment with deoxycholate, releasing most of their electron-dense core material. In deoxycholate-treated vesicles most of the SH groups that reacted with 4,4'-dithiodipyridine react with 5,5'-dibiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid), suggesting that both membrane surfaces became exposed to the extravesicular medium. 3. In intact vesicles (1.2 mg protein/ml), the binding of phlorizin (a competitive inhibitor of the monosaccharide transport system) was 50% inhibited by 67 microM of the penetrating organomercurial p-chloromercuribenzoate, but was about ten times less sensitive to the poorly permeating p-chloromercuriphenylsulfonate. In contrast, binding of phlorizin to leaky (deoxycholate-treated) membranes was equally susceptible to either reagent. 4. Mercurial inhibition of phlorizin binding could be reversed by dithioerythritol in both sealed and leaky membranes, whereas the less permeant thiol L-glutathione (reduced form) could only revert the inhibition in leaky membranes.

Interaction of the sugar carrier of intestinal brush-border membranes with HgCl2.

HgCl2 was used as an inhibitor and potential label for the glucose carrier of intestinal brush-border membranes. Half-maximal inhibition of Na+-dependent D-glucose uptake was reached with micromolar concentrations of HgCl2 when the protein concentration was 1.2 mg/ml. Similar concentrations were found to inhibit the binding of [3H]phlorizin, a reversible competitive inhibitor of sugar transport. Inhibition was reversed by dithioerythritol but only marginally by EDTA. The data support the involvement of a sulfhydryl group in the inhibitory process. Deoxycholate-extracted membranes, which are enriched in specific phlorizin binding activity, were used for labeling studies using 203HgCl2. The polypeptides were separated by gel electrophoresis and analyzed by protein staining and autoradiography. Non-specific 203HgCl2 labeling was minimized by pre-treatment with sulfhydryl reagents which do not inhibit phlorizin binding. Several bands, which are lost from the autoradiographic pattern during a negative purification of the phlorizin binding sites, could be ruled out as essential components of the sugar carrier. The polypeptide profile was also analyzed following proteolysis, which abolished phlorizin binding. Those radioactive bands of which apparent Mr values were alterd by the treatment were considered as possible candidates. Finally, samples in which inhibition was reversed by thiols were also studied. The possible identity of the polypeptide(s) involved in glucose translocation is disussed in the light of these observations.

Hexose transport in L6 muscle cells. Kinetic properties and the number of [3H]cytochalasin B binding sites.

(1) Myoblasts in culture (L6 cell line) were used as an in vitro model system, to study the kinetic and pharmacological properties of hexose transport in skeletal muscle tissue. (2) Uptake of 2-deoxy-D-[3H]glucose into L6 cells grown in monolayer culture was judged rate limiting since: (2) The time course of sugar uptake extrapolated to zero, (b) a parallel inhibition of hexose uptake and phosphorylation was caused by cytochalasin B, and (c) very little backflow of the hexose was detected. (3) Uptake of 2-deoxy-D-[3H]glucose by cells in monolayers was linear for at least 20 min and it was stimulated by countertransport. The Kt value was 0.83 mM. Cytochalasin B inhibited uptake non-competitively, and half maximal inhibition was achieved at 0.3 microM. Cytochalasin E (up to 5 microM) did not affect 2-deoxy-D-[3H]glucose uptake. (4) L6 myoblasts, detached by trypsinization, retained the hexose transport activity. Kt in detached cells was 0.96 mM. V was 3.2 nmol/min per mg protein, and half maximal inhibition was observed with 0.25 microM cytochalasin B. (5) [3H]Cytochalasin B binding to detached cells showed saturable and non-saturable components. The former could be further separated into cytochalasin E-sensitive binding (probably associated to cytoskeletal proteins) and cytochalasin E-insensitive binding, a fraction of which was inhibited by D-glucose. The D-glucose sensitive sites amount to 16.3 pmol/mg protein, and showed a Kd of 0.49 microM, which is in close agreement with the Ki of cytochalasin B inhibition of hexose uptake. These sites probably are equivalent to the hexose carrier molecules, and are present at a density of 6.8 . 10(6) sites/cell.

Labelling of the human erythrocyte glucose transporter with 3H-labelled cytochalasin B occurs via protein photoactivation.

Irradiation of human erythrocyte membranes with 3H-labelled cytochalasin B results in specific photolabelling of the glucose transporter. The action spectrum of photolabelling has a maximum at approx. 280 nm, whereas the absorption spectrum of cytochalasin B is maximal at 210 nm. By irradiating with narrow-band-width light centered at 280 nm for 2 h, 8% of the transporters become covalently labelled and 47% of the remaining cytochalasin B-binding sites are obliterated. We conclude that photolabelling driven by narrow-bandwidth irradiation proceeds via photoactivation of an aromatic amino acid residue on the transporter molecule, and when compared to wide-bandwidth irradiation, permits more efficient incorporation of the label without causing additional photodamage to the remaining transporters.

Reduction of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in L6 myotubes by the protein kinase inhibitor SB203580 is independent of p38MAPK activity.

Insulin increases glucose uptake through translocation of the glucose transporter GLUT4 to the plasma membrane. We previously showed that insulin activates p38MAPK, and inhibitors of p38MAPKalpha and p38MAPKbeta (e.g. SB203580) reduce insulin-stimulated glucose uptake without affecting GLUT4 translocation. This observation suggested that insulin may increase GLUT4 activity via p38alpha and/or p38beta. Here we further explore the possible participation of p38MAPK through a combination of molecular strategies. SB203580 reduced insulin stimulation of glucose uptake in L6 myotubes overexpressing an SB203580-resistant p38alpha (drug-resistant p38alpha) but barely affected phosphorylation of the p38 substrate MAPK-activated protein kinase-2. Expression of dominant-negative p38alpha or p38beta reduced p38MAPK phosphorylation by 70% but had no effect on insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. Gene silencing via isoform-specific small interfering RNAs reduced expression of p38alpha or p38beta by 60-70% without diminishing insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. SB203580 reduced photoaffinity labeling of GLUT4 by bio-LC-ATB-BMPA only in the insulin-stimulated state. Unless low levels of p38MAPK suffice to regulate glucose uptake, these results suggest that the inhibition of insulin-stimulated glucose transport by SB203580 is likely not mediated by p38MAPK. Instead, changes experienced by insulin-stimulated GLUT4 make it susceptible to inhibition by SB203580.

Differential regulation of GLUT1 and GLUT4 glucose transporters in skeletal muscle of a new model of type II diabetes. The obese SHR/N-cp rat.

The obese diabetic SHR/N-cp rat is a newly developed strain that inherits obesity as an autosomal recessive trait. These rats display early-onset hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia, which are hallmarks of type II diabetes. This study was undertaken to determine the expression and the subcellular distribution of the GLUT1 and GLUT4 glucose transporters in skeletal muscle of obese diabetic SHR rats. D-glucose-protectable cytochalasin-B binding to subcellular membrane fractions of hindlimb muscles was used to determine glucose transporter number. GLUT1 and GLUT4 glucose transporter isotypes were detected using antibodies to the COOH-terminal region of the GLUT1 and GLUT4 proteins. Glucose transporter number was significantly lower (-40%) in crude unfractionated membranes of obese diabetic SHR than of lean SHR muscles. When crude membranes were fractionated to separate plasma membranes and the intracellular membranes containing glucose transporters, the number of cytochalasin-B binding sites was found to be markedly lower (-50%) in intracellular membranes and slightly but not significantly reduced (-20%) in plasma membranes of muscle from obese diabetic SHR compared with lean SHR rats. Western blot analysis revealed that a lower GLUT4 protein abundance (-40%) accounts for the reduced glucose transporter number in intracellular membranes of obese diabetic SHR compared with lean SHR muscles. GLUT4 protein content was also reduced by 50% in plasma membranes from obese SHR muscles relative to lean rat muscles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Insulin induces the translocation of GLUT4 from a unique intracellular organelle to transverse tubules in rat skeletal muscle.

Skeletal muscle surface membrane is constituted by the PM domain and its specialized deep invaginations known as TTs. We have shown previously that insulin induces a rapid translocation of GLUT4s from an IM pool to the PM in rat skeletal muscle (6). In this study, we have investigated the possibility that insulin also stimulates the translocation of GLUT4 proteins to TTs, which constitute the largest area of the cell surface envelope. PM, TTs, and IM components of control and insulinized skeletal muscle were isolated by subcellular fractionation. The TTs then were purified further by removing vesicles of SR origin by using a Ca-loading procedure. Ca-loading resulted in a five- to sevenfold increase in the purification of TTs in the unloaded fraction relative to the loaded fraction, assessed by immunoblotting with an anti-DHP-receptor monoclonal antibody. In contrast, estimation of the content of Ca(2+)-ATPase protein (a marker of SR) with a specific polyclonal antibody revealed that most, if not all, SR vesicles were recovered in the Ca-loaded fraction. Western blotting with an anti-COOH-terminal GLUT4 protein polyclonal antibody revealed that acute insulin injection in vivo (30 min) increased the content of GLUT4 (by 90%) in isolated PMs and markedly enhanced (by 180%) GLUT4 content in purified TTs. Importantly, these insulin-dependent changes in GLUT4 content of PM and purified TTs were seen in the absence of changes in the alpha 1-subunit of the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, a surface membrane marker.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Insulin-stimulated glucose transport in circulating mononuclear cells from nondiabetic and IDDM subjects.

The objectives of this study were 1) to evaluate glucose transport and its regulation by insulin in easily accessible human cells, 2) to investigate the glucose transporter isoforms involved, and 3) to establish whether a defect in glucose transport is associated with peripheral insulin resistance, which is common in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients. We measured 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) uptake in circulating mononuclear cells from 23 nondiabetic adults, 16 adults with IDDM, and 10 children with IDDM. Circulating mononuclear cells were separated from whole blood by Ficoll gradients and incubated with +/- 1 nM insulin. 2-DG uptake was measured after incubation with [3H]2-DG and cell separation through corn oil-phthalate. Cytochalasin B-inhibitable 2-DG uptake (basal and insulin stimulated) was higher in control than in IDDM subjects (P less than 0.001). Insulin significantly increased 2-DG uptake or 3-O-methylglucose uptake in both groups. Basal and insulin-stimulated 2-DG uptake was similar for adults and children with IDDM and did not correlate with age or body mass index in any group or disease duration, insulin dosage, or HbA1c in IDDM. In separated monocytes and lymphocytes, 2-DG uptake increased in response to insulin only in the monocyte population. Insulin dose-response curves indicated maximal stimulation of hexose uptake at 1-2 nM insulin for both control and diabetic subjects and demonstrated a significant decrease in maximal insulin response in the latter. Immunoblotting with specific antibodies revealed that circulating mononuclear cells and separated monocytes express the GLUT1 but not the GLUT4 isoform of the glucose transporter.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Opposite effects of acute hypoglycemia and acute hyperglycemia on glucose transport and glucose transporters in perfused rat skeletal muscle.

This study was undertaken to characterize the effects of glycemia per se (glucose effectiveness) on muscle glucose transport. Isolated rat hindlimbs were perfused in situ for 2 h with perfusate containing either low (2 mmol/l, n = 7), normal (6.5 mmol/l, n = 6), or high (20 mmol/l, n = 6) concentrations of glucose, without insulin, to simulate hypo-, eu-, and hyperglycemic conditions. The effect of varying glucose concentrations on muscle glucose transport was assessed by an ensuing 30-min perfusion with 5.5 mmol/l glucose perfusate without insulin. The 2-h of low glucose perfusion induced significant increases in both muscle glucose clearance (approximately 2.3-fold, P < 0.01) and plasma membrane GLUT4 content (approximately 20%, P < 0.05) relative to normal. In contrast, high glucose perfusion decreased glucose clearance (approximately 1.7-fold, P < 0.01) and plasma membrane GLUT4 content (approximately 20%, P < 0.05). Glucose extraction during the following 30-min perfusion was 2.5-fold greater (P < 0.0001) in the low group and threefold less (P < 0.0001) in the high group, relative to normal. 2-[3H]deoxyglucose-6-phosphate content in both red (soleus) and white (extensor digitorum longus) muscles increased approximately twofold after 2 h of low glucose perfusion (P < 0.0001) and decreased > or =2-fold after high glucose perfusion (P < 0.0001), relative to normal. It is concluded that glycemia regulates glucose transport in skeletal muscle independently of insulin, achieved at least partially via changes in plasma membrane GLUT4. We propose that high glucose levels can acutely downregulate GLUT4 and glucose clearance, thus limiting excessive glucose uptake in muscle. Conversely, low glucose-induced upregulation of muscle glucose clearance and GLUT4 can compensate for reduced glucose availability in the circulation.

Opposite effects of hyperglycemia and insulin deficiency on liver glycogen synthase phosphatase activity in the diabetic rat.

The specific effect of hyperglycemia on the reported decrease in liver glycogen synthase phosphatase activity was studied in STZ-induced diabetic rats with normal fasting insulinemia. Four groups of animals were investigated: control (nondiabetic), diabetic hyperglycemic (STZ), diabetic normoglycemic (STZ followed by 3-day phloridzin treatment), and a diabetic normoglycemic group injected with glucose to reinstate hyperglycemia. None of the treatments significantly altered fasting plasma insulin and glucagon concentrations. We found that hepatic synthase phosphatase activity decreased in STZ-induced diabetic rats and was further markedly reduced when glycemia was normalized in the diabetic animals. This additional decrease in phosphatase activity was almost fully reversed when hyperglycemia was restored by acute glucose infusion of the normoglycemic diabetic rats. In parallel, the levels of liver G6P and F6P were markedly reduced in the diabetic normoglycemic rats and restored with reinstatement of hyperglycemia. In contrast, liver microsomal glucose-6-phosphatase activity was enhanced and glucokinase activity was lowered in all diabetic groups, regardless of glycemia. Our results indicate that hyperglycemia per se counteracts part of the loss of hepatic synthase phosphatase in diabetic animals and provokes the stable conversion of synthase phosphatase from a less active to a more active form.

The antihyperglycemic drug alpha-lipoic acid stimulates glucose uptake via both GLUT4 translocation and GLUT4 activation: potential role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in GLUT4 activation.

The cofactor of mitochondrial dehydrogenase complexes and potent antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid has been shown to lower blood glucose in diabetic animals. alpha-Lipoic acid enhances glucose uptake and GLUT1 and GLUT4 translocation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and L6 myotubes, mimicking insulin action. In both cell types, insulin-stimulated glucose uptake is reduced by inhibitors of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Here we explore the effect of alpha-lipoic acid on p38 MAPK, phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase, and Akt1 in L6 myotubes. alpha-Lipoic acid (2.5 mmol/l) increased PI 3-kinase activity (31-fold) and Akt1 (4.9-fold). Both activities were inhibited by 100 nmol/l wortmannin. alpha-Lipoic acid also stimulated p38 MAPK phosphorylation by twofold within 10 min. The phosphorylation persisted for at least 30 min. Like insulin, alpha-lipoic acid increased the kinase activity of the alpha (2.8-fold) and beta (2.1-fold) isoforms of p38 MAPK, measured by an in vitro kinase assay. Treating cells with 10 micromol/l of the p38 MAPK inhibitors SB202190 or SB203580 reduced the alpha-lipoic acid-induced stimulation of glucose uptake by 66 and 55%, respectively. In contrast, SB202474, a structural analog that does not inhibit p38 MAPK, was without effect on glucose uptake. In contrast to 2-deoxyglucose uptake, translocation of GLUT4myc to the cell surface by either alpha-lipoic acid or insulin was unaffected by 20 micromol/l of SB202190 or SB203580. The results suggest that inhibition of 2-deoxyglucose uptake in response to alpha-lipoic acid by inhibitors of p38 MAPK is independent of an effect on GLUT4 translocation. Instead, it is likely that regulation of transporter activity is sensitive to these inhibitors.