Identification of glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in mice stomach.

Glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a peptide hormone encoded by the pre-proglucagon gene that serves multiple physiological functions, including incretin action. While GLP-1 is primarily synthesized in the L cells of the lower intestine, recent findings indicate its presence in the stomachs of both rats and humans. However, the role of gastric GLP-1 in other species remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to identify GLP-1-producing cells and examine the localization of GLP-1 production in the mouse stomach. We found that pre-proglucagon mRNA was higher in the corpus than that in the antrum of the stomach. In addition, GLP-1 immunoreactive cells were found in the gastric mucosa, and their cell number was higher in the corpus than that in the antrum. Double immunofluorescence showed that some GLP-1 immunoreactive cells displayed somatostatin immunoreactivity, whereas did not co-localize with ghrelin and gastrin. Moreover, transmembrane G protein-coupled Receptor 5 (TGR5) agonist decreased pre-proglucagon mRNA expression in SG-1 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, and in vivo experiments showed a decrease in its mRNA levels in the gastric corpus but not in the antrum. This study marks the first report of GLP-1 production in the mouse stomach. Our findings suggest that gastric pre-proglucagon mRNA expression is regulated by a distinct mechanism compared to the L cells of the lower intestine.

Expression of the GCG gene and secretion of active glucagon-like peptide-1 varies along the length of intestinal tract in horses.

BACKGROUND: Active glucagon-like peptide-1 (aGLP-1) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of equine insulin dysregulation (ID), but its role is unclear. Cleavage of proglucagon (coded by the GCG gene) produces aGLP-1 in enteral L cells. OBJECTIVES: The aim in vivo was to examine the sequence of the exons of GCG in horses with and without ID, where aGLP-1 was higher in the group with ID. The aims in vitro were to identify and quantify the expression of GCG in the equine intestine (as a marker of L cells) and determine intestinal secretion of aGLP-1. STUDY DESIGN: Genomic studies were case-control studies. Expression and secretion studies in vitro were cross-sectional. METHODS: The GCG gene sequence of the exons was determined using a hybridisation capture protocol. Expression and quantification of GCG in samples of stomach duodenum, jejunum, ileum, caecum and ascending and descending colon was achieved with droplet digital PCR. For secretory studies tissue explants were incubated with 12 mM glucose and aGLP-1 secretion was measured with an ELISA. RESULTS: Although the median [IQR] post-prandial aGLP-1 concentrations were higher (p = 0.03) in animals with ID (10.2 [8.79-15.5]), compared with healthy animals (8.47 [6.12-11.7]), there was 100% pairwise identity of the exons of the GCG sequence for the cohort. The mRNA concentrations of GCG and secretion of aGLP-1 differed (p < 0.001) throughout the intestine. MAIN LIMITATIONS: Only the exons of the GCG gene were sequenced and breeds were not compared. The horses used for the study in vitro were not assessed for ID and different horses were used for the small, and large, intestinal studies. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in post-prandial aGLP-1 concentration were not due to a variant in the exons of the GCG gene sequence in this cohort. Both the large and small intestine are sites of GLP-1 secretion.

Proglucagon signalling in the rat Dorsomedial Hypothalamus - Physiology and high-fat diet-mediated alterations.

A relatively new pharmacological target in obesity treatment has been the preproglucagon (PPG) signalling, predominantly with glucagon-like peptide (GLP) 1 receptor agonists. As far as the PPG role within the digestive system is well recognised, its actions in the brain remain understudied. Here, we investigated PPG signalling in the Dorsomedial Hypothalamus (DMH), a structure involved in feeding regulation and metabolism, using in situ hybridisation, electrophysiology, and immunohistochemistry. Our experiments were performed on animals fed both control, and high-fat diet (HFD), uncovering HFD-mediated alterations. First, sensitivity to exendin-4 (Exn4, a GLP1R agonist) was shown to increase under HFD, with a higher number of responsive neurons. The amplitude of the response to both Exn4 and oxyntomodulin (Oxm) was also altered, diminishing its relationship with the cells' spontaneous firing rate. Not only neuronal sensitivity, but also GLP1 presence, and therefore possibly release, was influenced by HFD. Immunofluorescent labelling of the GLP1 showed changes in its density depending on the metabolic state (fasted/fed), but this effect was eliminated by HFD feeding. Interestingly, these dietary differences were absent after a period of restricted feeding, allowing for an anticipation of the alternating metabolic states, which suggests possible prevention of such outcome.

Blockade of glucagon increases muscle mass and alters fiber type composition in mice deficient in proglucagon-derived peptides.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: Glucagon is secreted from pancreatic α-cells and plays an important role in amino acid metabolism in liver. Various animal models deficient in glucagon action show hyper-amino acidemia and α-cell hyperplasia, indicating that glucagon contributes to feedback regulation between the liver and the α-cells. In addition, both insulin and various amino acids, including branched-chain amino acids and alanine, participate in protein synthesis in skeletal muscle. However, the effect of hyperaminoacidemia on skeletal muscle has not been investigated. In the present study, we examined the effect of blockade of glucagon action on skeletal muscle using mice deficient in proglucagon-derived peptides (GCGKO mice). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Muscles isolated from GCGKO and control mice were analyzed for their morphology, gene expression and metabolites. RESULTS: GCGKO mice showed muscle fiber hypertrophy, and a decreased ratio of type IIA and an increased ratio of type IIB fibers in the tibialis anterior. The expression levels of myosin heavy chain (Myh) 7, 2, 1 and myoglobin messenger ribonucleic acid were significantly lower in GCGKO mice than those in control mice in the tibialis anterior. GCGKO mice showed a significantly higher concentration of arginine, asparagine, serine and threonine in the quadriceps femoris muscles, and also alanine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamine, glycine and lysine, as well as four amino acids in gastrocnemius muscles. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that hyperaminoacidemia induced by blockade of glucagon action in mice increases skeletal muscle weight and stimulates slow-to-fast transition in type II fibers of skeletal muscle, mimicking the phenotype of a high-protein diet.

The role of preproglucagon peptides in regulating ß-cell morphology and responses to streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

Insulin secretion from ß-cells is tightly regulated by local signaling from preproglucagon (Gcg) products from neighboring α-cells. Physiological paracrine signaling within the microenvironment of the ß-cell is altered after metabolic stress, such as high-fat diet or the ß-cell toxin, streptozotocin (STZ). Here, we examined the role and source of Gcg peptides in ß-cell function and in response to STZ-induced hyperglycemia. We used whole body Gcg null (GcgNull) mice and mice with Gcg expression either specifically within the pancreas (GcgΔPanc) or the intestine (GcgΔIntest). With lower doses of STZ exposure, insulin levels were greater and glucose levels were lower in GcgNull mice compared with wild-type mice. When Gcg was functional only in the intestine, plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels were fully restored but these mice did not have any additional protection from STZ-induced diabetes. Pancreatic Gcg reactivation normalized the hyperglycemic response to STZ. In animals not treated with STZ, GcgNull mice had increased pancreas mass via both α- and ß-cell hyperplasia and reactivation of Gcg in the intestine normalized ß- but not α-cell mass, whereas pancreatic reactivation normalized both ß- and α-cell mass. GcgNull and GcgΔIntest mice maintained higher ß-cell mass after treatment with STZ compared with control and GcgΔPanc mice. Although in vivo insulin response to glucose was normal, global lack of Gcg impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in isolated islets. Congenital replacement of Gcg either in the pancreas or intestine normalized glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Interestingly, mice that had intestinal Gcg reactivated in adulthood had impaired insulin response to KCl. We surmise that the expansion of ß-cell mass in the GcgNull mice compensated for decreased individual ß-cell insulin secretion, which is sufficient to normalize glucose under physiological conditions and conferred some protection after STZ-induced diabetes.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We examined the role of Gcg on ß-cell function under normal and high glucose conditions. GcgNull mice had decreased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, increased ß-cell mass, and partial protection against STZ-induced hyperglycemia. Expression of Gcg within the pancreas normalized these endpoints. Intestinal expression of Gcg only normalized ß-cell mass and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Increased ß-cell mass in GcgNull mice likely compensated for decreased insulin secretion normalizing physiological glucose levels and conferring some protection after STZ-induced diabetes.

The Local Activation of Toll-like Receptor 7 (TLR7) Modulates Colonic Epithelial Barrier Function in Rats.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs)-mediated host-bacterial interactions participate in the microbial regulation of gastrointestinal functions, including the epithelial barrier function (EBF). We evaluated the effects of TLR7 stimulation on the colonic EBF in rats. TLR7 was stimulated with the selective agonist imiquimod (100/300 µg/rat, intracolonic), with or without the intracolonic administration of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Colonic EBF was assessed in vitro (electrophysiology and permeability to macromolecules, Ussing chamber) and in vivo (passage of macromolecules to blood and urine). Changes in the expression (RT-qPCR) and distribution (immunohistochemistry) of tight junction-related proteins were determined. Expression of proglucagon, precursor of the barrier-enhancer factor glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) was also assessed (RT-qPCR). Intracolonic imiquimod enhanced the EBF in vitro, reducing the epithelial conductance and the passage of macromolecules, thus indicating a pro-barrier effect of TLR7. However, the combination of TLR7 stimulation and DMSO had a detrimental effect on the EBF, which manifested as an increased passage of macromolecules. DMSO alone had no effect. The modulation of the EBF (imiquimod alone or with DMSO) was not associated with changes in gene expression or the epithelial distribution of the main tight junction-related proteins (occludin, tricellulin, claudin-2, claudin-3, junctional adhesion molecule 1 and Zonula occludens-1). No changes in the proglucagon expression were observed. These results show that TLR7 stimulation leads to the modulation of the colonic EBF, having beneficial or detrimental effects depending upon the state of the epithelium. The underlying mechanisms remain elusive, but seem independent of the modulation of the main tight junction-related proteins or the barrier-enhancer factor GLP-2.

Direct visualization of glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion by fluorescent fusion proteins.

Live-cell imaging with fluorescent proteins (FPs) is a powerful tool for investigating the exocytosis processes of hormones. However, the secretion process of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has not been visualized by FPs, which might be because tagging FPs inhibits GLP-1 synthesis through the post-translational processing from proglucagon. Here, we have developed FP-tagged GLP-1 by inserting FPs into the middle of GLP-1 and adding the proglucagon signal peptide. Confocal imaging confirmed that GLP-1 fused to FPs with high folding efficiency showed granular structure, in which secretory vesicle markers colocalized. The fluorescence intensity of FP in the culture supernatant from cells treated with KCl or forskolin was significantly increased compared with those from untreated cells. Furthermore, FP-tagged GLP-1 enables direct visualization of stimulation-dependent exocytosis of GLP-1 at a single granule resolution with total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. FP-tagged GLP-1 might facilitate the screening of GLP-1 secretagogues and the discovery of new antidiabetic drugs.

High Protein Diet Feeding Aggravates Hyperaminoacidemia in Mice Deficient in Proglucagon-Derived Peptides.

(1) Background: Protein stimulates the secretion of glucagon (GCG), which can affect glucose metabolism. This study aimed to analyze the metabolic effect of a high-protein diet (HPD) in the presence or absence of proglucagon-derived peptides, including GCG and GLP-1. (2) Methods: The response to HPD feeding for 7 days was analyzed in mice deficient in proglucagon-derived peptides (GCGKO). (3) Results: In both control and GCGKO mice, food intake and body weight decreased with HPD and intestinal expression of Pepck increased. HPD also decreased plasma FGF21 levels, regardless of the presence of proglucagon-derived peptides. In control mice, HPD increased the hepatic expression of enzymes involved in amino acid metabolism without the elevation of plasma amino acid levels, except branched-chain amino acids. On the other hand, HPD-induced changes in the hepatic gene expression were attenuated in GCGKO mice, resulting in marked hyperaminoacidemia with lower blood glucose levels; the plasma concentration of glutamine exceeded that of glucose in HPD-fed GCGKO mice. (4) Conclusions: Increased plasma amino acid levels are a common feature in animal models with blocked GCG activity, and our results underscore that GCG plays essential roles in the homeostasis of amino acid metabolism in response to altered protein intake.

Blue Whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) Protein Hydrolysates Increase GLP-1 Secretion and Proglucagon Production in STC-1 Cells Whilst Maintaining Caco-2/HT29-MTX Co-Culture Integrity.

Inducing the feeling of fullness via the regulation of satiety hormones presents an effective method for reducing excess energy intake and, in turn, preventing the development of obesity. In this study, the ability of blue whiting soluble protein hydrolysates (BWSPHs) and simulated gastrointestinal digested (SGID) BWSPHs, to modulate the secretion and/or production of satiety hormones, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), cholecystokinin (CCK) and peptide YY (PYY), was assessed in murine enteroendocrine STC-1 cells. All BWSPHs (BW-SPH-A to BW-SPH-F) (1.0% w/v dw) increased active GLP-1 secretion and proglucagon production in STC-1 cells compared to the basal control (Krebs-Ringer buffer) (p < 0.05). The signaling pathway activated for GLP-1 secretion was also assessed. A significant increase in intracellular calcium levels was observed after incubation with all BWSPHs (p < 0.05) compared with the control, although none of the BWSPHs altered intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) concentrations. The secretagogue effect of the leading hydrolysate was diminished after SGID. Neither pre- nor post-SGID hydrolysates affected epithelial barrier integrity or stimulated interleukin (IL)-6 secretion in differentiated Caco-2/HT-29MTX co-cultured cells. These results suggest a role for BWSPH-derived peptides in satiety activity; however, these peptides may need to be protected by some means to avoid loss of activity during gastrointestinal transit.

Altered islet prohormone processing: a cause or consequence of diabetes?

Peptide hormones are first produced as larger precursor prohormones that require endoproteolytic cleavage to liberate the mature hormones. A structurally conserved but functionally distinct family of nine prohormone convertase enzymes (PCs) are responsible for cleavage of protein precursors, of which PC1/3 and PC2 are known to be exclusive to neuroendocrine cells and responsible for prohormone cleavage. Differential expression of PCs within tissues defines prohormone processing; whereas glucagon is the major product liberated from proglucagon via PC2 in pancreatic α-cells, proglucagon is preferentially processed by PC1/3 in intestinal L cells to produce glucagon-like peptides 1 and 2 (GLP-1, GLP-2). Beyond our understanding of processing of islet prohormones in healthy islets, there is convincing evidence that proinsulin, pro-islet amyloid polypeptide (proIAPP), and proglucagon processing is altered during prediabetes and diabetes. There is predictive value of elevated circulating proinsulin or proinsulin-to-C-peptide ratio for progression to type 2 diabetes, and elevated proinsulin or proinsulin-to-C-peptide ratio is predictive for development of type 1 diabetes in at-risk groups. After onset of diabetes, patients have elevated circulating proinsulin and proIAPP, and proinsulin may be an autoantigen in type 1 diabetes. Furthermore, preclinical studies reveal that α-cells have altered proglucagon processing during diabetes, leading to increased GLP-1 production. We conclude that despite strong associative data, current evidence is inconclusive on the potential causal role of impaired prohormone processing in diabetes and suggest that future work should focus on resolving the question of whether altered prohormone processing is a causal driver or merely a consequence of diabetes pathology.

Preproglucagon Products and Their Respective Roles Regulating Insulin Secretion.

Historically, intracellular function and metabolic adaptation within the α-cell has been understudied, with most of the attention being placed on the insulin-producing ß-cells due to their role in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, there is a growing interest in understanding the function of other endocrine cell types within the islet and their paracrine role in regulating insulin secretion. For example, there is greater appreciation for α-cell products and their contributions to overall glucose homeostasis. Several recent studies have addressed a paracrine role for α-cell-derived glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in regulating glucose homeostasis and responses to metabolic stress. Further, other studies have demonstrated the ability of glucagon to impact insulin secretion by acting through the GLP-1 receptor. These studies challenge the central dogma surrounding α-cell biology describing glucagon's primary role in glucose counterregulation to one where glucagon is critical in regulating both hyper- and hypoglycemic responses. Herein, this review will update the current understanding of the role of glucagon and α-cell-derived GLP-1, placing emphasis on their roles in regulating glucose homeostasis, insulin secretion, and ß-cell mass.

Proglucagon-Derived Peptides as Therapeutics.

Initially discovered as an impurity in insulin preparations, our understanding of the hyperglycaemic hormone glucagon has evolved markedly over subsequent decades. With description of the precursor proglucagon, we now appreciate that glucagon was just the first proglucagon-derived peptide (PGDP) to be characterised. Other bioactive members of the PGDP family include glucagon-like peptides -1 and -2 (GLP-1 and GLP-2), oxyntomodulin (OXM), glicentin and glicentin-related pancreatic peptide (GRPP), with these being produced via tissue-specific processing of proglucagon by the prohormone convertase (PC) enzymes, PC1/3 and PC2. PGDP peptides exert unique physiological effects that influence metabolism and energy regulation, which has witnessed several of them exploited in the form of long-acting, enzymatically resistant analogues for treatment of various pathologies. As such, intramuscular glucagon is well established in rescue of hypoglycaemia, while GLP-2 analogues are indicated in the management of short bowel syndrome. Furthermore, since approval of the first GLP-1 mimetic for the management of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in 2005, GLP-1 therapeutics have become a mainstay of T2DM management due to multifaceted and sustainable improvements in glycaemia, appetite control and weight loss. More recently, longer-acting PGDP therapeutics have been developed, while newfound benefits on cardioprotection, bone health, renal and liver function and cognition have been uncovered. In the present article, we discuss the physiology of PGDP peptides and their therapeutic applications, with a focus on successful design of analogues including dual and triple PGDP receptor agonists currently in clinical development.

The islet's bridesmaid becomes the bride: Proglucagon-derived peptides deliver transformative therapies.

The 2021 Gairdner Prize is awarded to Daniel Drucker, Joel Habener, and Jens Juul Holst for the discovery of novel peptides encoded in the proglucagon sequence and the establishment of their physiological roles. These discoveries underpinned the development of therapeutics that are now benefiting patients with type 2 diabetes and other disorders worldwide.

Central and peripheral GLP-1 systems independently suppress eating.

The anorexigenic peptide glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is secreted from gut enteroendocrine cells and brain preproglucagon (PPG) neurons, which, respectively, define the peripheral and central GLP-1 systems. PPG neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) are widely assumed to link the peripheral and central GLP-1 systems in a unified gut-brain satiation circuit. However, direct evidence for this hypothesis is lacking, and the necessary circuitry remains to be demonstrated. Here we show that PPGNTS neurons encode satiation in mice, consistent with vagal signalling of gastrointestinal distension. However, PPGNTS neurons predominantly receive vagal input from oxytocin-receptor-expressing vagal neurons, rather than those expressing GLP-1 receptors. PPGNTS neurons are not necessary for eating suppression by GLP-1 receptor agonists, and concurrent PPGNTS neuron activation suppresses eating more potently than semaglutide alone. We conclude that central and peripheral GLP-1 systems suppress eating via independent gut-brain circuits, providing a rationale for pharmacological activation of PPGNTS neurons in combination with GLP-1 receptor agonists as an obesity treatment strategy.

Activation of PPG neurons following acute stressors differentially involves hindbrain serotonin in male rats.

Within the hindbrain, serotonin (5-HT) functions as a modulator of the central glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) system. This interaction between 5-HT and GLP-1 is achieved via 5-HT2C and 5-HT3 receptors and is relevant for GLP-1-mediated feeding behavior. The central GLP-1 system is activated by various stressors, activates the hypothalamic pituitary adrenocortical (HPA) axis, and contributes to stress-related behaviors. Whether 5-HT modulates GLP-1's role in the stress response in unknown. We hypothesized that the serotonergic modulation of GLP-1-producing neurons (i.e., PPG neurons) is stimuli-specific and that stressed-induced PPG activity is one of the modalities in which 5-HT plays a role. In this study, we investigated the roles of 5-HT2C and 5-HT3 receptors in mediating the activation of PPG neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) following exposure to three different acute stressors: lithium chloride (LiCl), noncontingent cocaine (Coc), and novel restraint stress (RES). Results showed that increased c-Fos expression in PPG neurons following LiCl and RES-but not Coc-is dependent on hindbrain 5-HT2C and 5-HT3 receptor signaling. Additionally, stressors that depend on 5-HT signaling to activate PPG neurons (i.e., LiCl and RES) increased c-Fos expression in 5-HT-expressing neurons within the caudal raphe (CR), specifically in the raphe magnus (RMg). Finally, we showed that RMg neurons innervate NTS PPG neurons and that some of these PPG neurons lie in close proximity to 5-HT axons, suggesting RMg 5-HT-expressing neurons are the source of 5-HT input responsible for engaging NTS PPG neurons. Together, these findings identify a direct RMg to NTS pathway responsible for the modulatory effect of 5-HT on the central GLP-1 system-specifically via activation of 5-HT2C and 5-HT3 receptors-in the facilitation of acute stress responses.

Leptin suppresses development of GLP-1 inputs to the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus.

The nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) is critical for the central integration of signals from visceral organs and contains preproglucagon (PPG) neurons, which express leptin receptors in the mouse and send direct projections to the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH). Here, we visualized projections of PPG neurons in leptin-deficient Lepob/ob mice and found that projections from PPG neurons are elevated compared with controls, and PPG projections were normalized by targeted rescue of leptin receptors in LepRbTB/TB mice, which lack functional neuronal leptin receptors. Moreover, Lepob/ob and LepRbTB/TB mice displayed increased levels of neuronal activation in the PVH following vagal stimulation, and whole-cell patch recordings of GLP-1 receptor-expressing PVH neurons revealed enhanced excitatory neurotransmission, suggesting that leptin acts cell autonomously to suppress representation of excitatory afferents from PPG neurons, thereby diminishing the impact of visceral sensory information on GLP-1 receptor-expressing neurons in the PVH.

Updating the Role of α-Cell Preproglucagon Products on GLP-1 Receptor-Mediated Insulin Secretion.

While the field of islet biology has historically focused its attention on understanding ß-cell function and the mechanisms by which these cells become dysfunctional with diabetes, there has been a scientific shift toward greater understanding of other endocrine cells of the islet and their paracrine role in regulating the ß-cell. In recent years, many questions and new data have come forward regarding the paracrine role of the α-cell and specifically preproglucagon peptides in regulating insulin secretion. The role of intestinally secreted glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) in regulation of insulin secretion has been questioned, and a physiological role of pancreatic GLP-1 in regulation of insulin secretion has been proposed. In addition, in the last 2 years, a series of studies demonstrated a physiological role for glucagon, acting via the GLP-1 receptor, in paracrine regulation of insulin secretion. Altogether, this work challenges the textbook physiology of both GLP-1 and glucagon and presents a critical paradigm shift for the field. This article addresses these new findings surrounding α-cell preproglucagon products, with a particular focus on GLP-1, in the context of their roles in insulin secretion and consequently glucose metabolism.

The RNA-binding protein, HuD regulates proglucagon biosynthesis in pancreatic α cells.

Glucagon is a peptide hormone generated by pancreatic α cells. It is the counterpart of insulin and plays an essential role in the regulation of blood glucose level. Therefore, a tight regulation of glucagon levels is pivotal to maintain homeostasis of blood glucose. However, little is known about the mechanisms regulating glucagon biosynthesis. In this study, we demonstrate that the RNA-binding protein HuD regulates glucagon expression in pancreatic α cells. HuD was found in α cells from mouse pancreatic islet and mouse glucagonoma αTC1 cell line. Ribonucleoprotein immunoprecipitation analysis, followed by RT-qPCR showed the association of HuD with glucagon mRNA. Knockdown of HuD resulted in a reduction in both proglucagon expression and cellular glucagon level by decreasing its de novo synthesis. Reporter analysis using the EGFP reporter containing 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of glucagon mRNA showed that HuD regulates proglucagon expression via its 3'UTR. In addition, the relative level of glucagon in the islets and plasma was lower in HuD knockout (KO) mice compared to age-matched control mice. Taken together, these results suggest that HuD is a novel factor regulating the biosynthesis of proglucagon in pancreatic α cells.

Glucagon receptor antagonism promotes the production of gut proglucagon-derived peptides in diabetic mice.

Glucagon is an essential regulator of glucose homeostasis, particularly in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Blocking the glucagon receptor (GCGR) in diabetic animals and humans has been shown to alleviate hyperglycemia and increase circulating glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels. However, the origin of the upregulated GLP-1 remains to be clarified. Here, we administered high-fat diet + streptozotocin-induced T2D mice and diabetic db/db mice with REMD 2.59, a fully competitive antagonistic human GCGR monoclonal antibody (mAb) for 12 weeks. GCGR mAb treatment decreased fasting blood glucose levels and increased plasma GLP-1 levels in the T2D mice. In addition, GCGR mAb upregulated preproglucagon gene expression and the contents of gut proglucagon-derived peptides, particularly GLP-1, in the small intestine and colon. Notably, T2D mice treated with GCGR mAb displayed a higher L-cell density in the small intestine and colon, which was associated with increased numbers of LK-cells coexpressing GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and reduced L-cell apoptosis. Furthermore, GCGR mAb treatment upregulated GLP-1 production in the pancreas, which was detected at lower levels than in the intestine. Collectively, these results suggest that GCGR mAb can increase intestinal GLP-1 production and L-cell number by enhancing LK-cell expansion and inhibiting L-cell apoptosis in T2D.

Intestine-selective reduction of Gcg expression reveals the importance of the distal gut for GLP-1 secretion.

OBJECTIVE: Glucagon-like peptide-1 is a nutrient-sensitive hormone secreted from enteroendocrine L cells within the small and large bowel. Although GLP-1 levels rise rapidly in response to food ingestion, the greatest density of L cells is localized to the distal small bowel and colon. Here, we assessed the importance of the distal gut in the acute L cell response to diverse secretagogues. METHODS: Circulating levels of glucose and plasma GLP-1 were measured in response to the administration of L cell secretagogues in wild-type mice and in mice with (1) genetic reduction of Gcg expression throughout the small bowel and large bowel (GcgGut-/-) and (2) selective reduction of Gcg expression in the distal gut (GcgDistalGut-/-). RESULTS: The acute GLP-1 response to olive oil or arginine administration was markedly diminished in GcgGut-/- but preserved in GcgDistalGut-/- mice. In contrast, the increase in plasma GLP-1 levels following the administration of the GPR119 agonist AR231453, or the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) agonist LY2112688, was markedly diminished in the GcgDistalGut-/- mice. The GLP-1 response to LPS was also markedly attenuated in the GcgGut-/- mice and remained submaximal in the GcgDistalGut-/- mice. Doses of metformin sufficient to lower glucose and increase GLP-1 levels in the GcgGut+/+ mice retained their glucoregulatory activity, yet they failed to increase GLP-1 levels in the GcgGut-/- mice. Surprisingly, the actions of metformin to increase plasma GLP-1 levels were substantially attenuated in the GcgDistalGut-/- mice. CONCLUSION: These findings further establish the importance of the proximal gut for the acute response to nutrient-related GLP-1 secretagogues. In contrast, we identify essential contributions of the distal gut to (i) the rapid induction of circulating GLP-1 levels in response to pharmacological selective agonism of G-protein-coupled receptors, (ii) the increased GLP-1 levels following the activation of Toll-Like Receptors with LPS, and iii) the acute GLP-1 response to metformin. Collectively, these results reveal that distal gut Gcg + endocrine cells are rapid responders to structurally and functionally diverse GLP-1 secretagogues.