Phosphorylation Codes in IRS-1 and IRS-2 Are Associated with the Activation/Inhibition of Insulin Canonical Signaling Pathways.

Insulin receptor substrates 1 and 2 (IRS-1 and IRS-2) are signaling adaptor proteins that participate in canonical pathways, where insulin cascade activation occurs, as well as in non-canonical pathways, in which phosphorylation of substrates is carried out by a diverse array of receptors including integrins, cytokines, steroid hormones, and others. IRS proteins are subject to a spectrum of post-translational modifications essential for their activation, encompassing phosphorylation events in distinct tyrosine, serine, and threonine residues. Tyrosine residue phosphorylation is intricately linked to the activation of the insulin receptor cascade and its interaction with SH2 domains within a spectrum of proteins, including PI3K. Conversely, serine residue phosphorylation assumes a different function, serving to attenuate the effects of insulin. In this review, we have identified over 50 serine residues within IRS-1 that have been reported to undergo phosphorylation orchestrated by a spectrum of kinases, thereby engendering the activation or inhibition of different signaling pathways. Furthermore, we delineate the phosphorylation of over 10 distinct tyrosine residues at IRS-1 or IRS-2 in response to insulin, a process essential for signal transduction and the subsequent activation of PI3K.

The Insulin Receptor Substrate 2 Mediates the Action of Insulin on HeLa Cell Migration via the PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway.

Insulin signaling plays an important role in the development and progression of cancer since it is involved in proliferation and migration processes. It has been shown that the A isoform of the insulin receptor (IR-A) is often overexpressed, and its stimulation induces changes in the expression of the insulin receptor substrates (IRS-1 and IRS-2), which are expressed differently in the different types of cancer. We study the participation of the insulin substrates IRS-1 and IRS-2 in the insulin signaling pathway in response to insulin and their involvement in the proliferation and migration of the cervical cancer cell line. Our results showed that under basal conditions, the IR-A isoform was predominantly expressed. Stimulation of HeLa cells with 50 nM insulin led to the phosphorylation of IR-A, showing a statistically significant increase at 30 min (p ≤ 0.05). Stimulation of HeLa cells with insulin induces PI3K and AKT phosphorylation through the activation of IRS2, but not IRS1. While PI3K reached the highest level at 30 min after treatment (p ≤ 0.05), AKT had the highest levels from 15 min (p ≤ 0.05) and remained constant for 6 h. ERK1 and ERK2 expression was also observed, but only ERK2 was phosphorylated in a time-dependent manner, reaching a maximum peak 5 min after insulin stimulation. Although no effect on cell proliferation was observed, insulin stimulation of HeLa cells markedly promoted cell migration.

A screen for modulators reveals that orexin-A rapidly stimulates thyrotropin releasing hormone expression and release in hypothalamic cell culture.

In the paraventricular nucleus of the mammalian hypothalamus, hypophysiotropic thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) neurons integrate metabolic information and control the activity of the thyroid axis. Additional populations of TRH neurons reside in various hypothalamic areas, with poorly defined connections and functions, albeit there is evidence that some may be related to energy balance. To establish extracellular modulators of TRH hypothalamic neurons activity, we performed a screen of neurotransmitters effects in hypothalamic cultures. Cell culture conditions were chosen to facilitate the full differentiation of the TRH neurons; these conditions had permitted the characterization of the effects of known modulators of hypophysiotropic TRH neurons. The major end-point of the screen was Trh mRNA levels, since they are generally rapidly (0.5-3h) modified by synaptic inputs onto TRH neurons; in some experiments, TRH cell content or release was also analyzed. Various modulators, including histamine, serotonin, ß-endorphin, met-enkephalin, and melanin concentrating hormone, had no effect. Glutamate, as well as ionotropic agonists (kainate and N-Methyl-d-aspartic acid), increased Trh mRNA levels. Baclofen, a GABAB receptor agonist, and dopamine enhanced Trh mRNA levels. An endocannabinoid receptor 1 inverse agonist promoted TRH release. Somatostatin increased Trh mRNA levels and TRH cell content. Orexin-A rapidly increased Trh mRNA levels, TRH cell content and release, while orexin-B decreased Trh mRNA levels. These data reveal unaccounted regulators, which exert potent effects on hypothalamic TRH neurons in vitro.