The mechanisms of ameliorating effect of a green tea polyphenol on diabetic nephropathy based on diacylglycerol kinase α.

Significant efforts have been made to ameliorate diabetic nephropathy (DN) by inhibiting protein kinase C. However, these efforts have not been successful in human trials, suggesting that novel therapeutic strategies are required. Thus far, it has been reported that green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) improved albuminuria in DN in a human trial. Our previous study revealed that activation of diacylglycerol kinase α (DGKα) plays a crucial role in the amelioration of DN and that EGCg activates DGKα. Here, we investigated whether and how DGKα contributes to the amelioration of DN upon stimulation by EGCg by using streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic model mice. Our results revealed that EGCg ameliorated albuminuria in DN through DGKα in vivo, and methylated EGCg, which has higher absorption in the plasma improved albuminuria in DN effectively. Additionally, we showed that c-Src mediated EGCg-induced DGKα translocation and colocalized with the 67 kDa laminin receptor, which is an EGCg receptor. Furthermore, EGCg attenuated the loss of podocytes in DN by preventing a decrease in focal adhesion under high glucose conditions. Our results indicate that the DGKα pathway is an attractive therapeutic target and that activating this pathway is a novel strategy for treating DN.

Screening of subtype-specific activators and inhibitors for diacylglycerol kinase.

Diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) is a lipid kinase that converts diacylglycerol (DG) into phosphatidic acid (PA). DG and PA function as lipid messengers contributing to various signalling pathways. Thus, DGK plays a pivotal role in the signalling pathways by maintaining DG and PA levels. For example, DGKδ is involved in diabetes and DGKß is important for higher brain function including memory and emotion. Recently, we also revealed that the activation of DGKα ameliorated diabetic nephropathy (DN) in mice, suggesting that DGK can be therapeutic target. However, there is no commercially available DGK subtype-specific inhibitors or activators. Therefore, in a series of experiment to find DGK subtype-specific inhibitors or activators, we tried to screen novel DGKα activators from 9,600 randomly selected compounds by using high-throughput screening we had recently developed. Finally, we obtained two lead compounds for DGKα activators, KU-8 and KU-10. Focusing KU-8, we assessed the effect of KU-8 on all mammalian DGKs activities. Thus, KU-8 activates not only DGKα but also DGKθ by approximately 20%, and strongly inhibited DGKκ. In conclusion, KU-8 would be a good lead compound for DGKα and DGKθ activators, and useful as a DGKκ inhibitor.

Development of a single bovine embryo improved by co-culture with trophoblastic vesicles in vitamin-supplemented medium.

To improve the development of singly cultured bovine embryos, we developed a co-culture method with trophoblastic vesicles. The growth of trophoblastic cells was markedly increased in vitamin-supplemented medium 199 compared with medium 199. Upon co-culture of a single embryo with trophoblastic vesicles in vitamin-supplemented medium 199, embryo development to the blastocyst stage was significantly higher than in embryos co-cultured with trophoblastic vesicles in RPMI 1640 or with cumulus cells in medium 199 (control). In the absence of the vitamin cocktail, co-culture with trophoblastic vesicles in medium 199 did not improve embryo development compared with that of the control. The vitamin cocktail was effective in embryo development when co-cultured with trophoblastic vesicles, but not with cumulus cells. Embryo development was not improved in the absence of co-cultured trophoblastic vesicles, even in the presence of vitamin cocktail. In conclusion, the co-culture system with trophoblastic vesicles in vitamin-supplemented medium 199 efficiently enhances the development of singly cultured embryos.