Fructose 2,6-bisphosphate is essential for glucose-regulated gene transcription of glucose-6-phosphatase and other ChREBP target genes in hepatocytes.

Glucose metabolism in the liver activates the transcription of various genes encoding enzymes of glycolysis and lipogenesis and also G6pc (glucose-6-phosphatase). Allosteric mechanisms involving glucose 6-phosphate or xylulose 5-phosphate and covalent modification of ChREBP (carbohydrate-response element-binding protein) have been implicated in this mechanism. However, evidence supporting an essential role for a specific metabolite or pathway in hepatocytes remains equivocal. By using diverse substrates and inhibitors and a kinase-deficient bisphosphatase-active variant of the bifunctional enzyme PFK2/FBP2 (6-phosphofructo-2-kinase-fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase), we demonstrate an essential role for fructose 2,6-bisphosphate in the induction of G6pc and other ChREBP target genes by glucose. Selective depletion of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate inhibits glucose-induced recruitment of ChREBP to the G6pc promoter and also induction of G6pc by xylitol and gluconeogenic precursors. The requirement for fructose 2,6-bisphosphate for ChREBP recruitment to the promoter does not exclude the involvement of additional metabolites acting either co-ordinately or at downstream sites. Glucose raises fructose 2,6-bisphosphate levels in hepatocytes by reversing the phosphorylation of PFK2/FBP2 at Ser32, but also independently of Ser32 dephosphorylation. This supports a role for the bifunctional enzyme as the phosphometabolite sensor and for its product, fructose 2,6-bisphosphate, as the metabolic signal for substrate-regulated ChREBP-mediated expression of G6pc and other ChREBP target genes.

Involvement of inducible 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase in the anti-diabetic effect of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma activation in mice.

PFKFB3 is the gene that codes for the inducible isoform of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase (iPFK2), a key regulatory enzyme of glycolysis. As one of the targets of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), PFKFB3/iPFK2 is up-regulated by thiazolidinediones. In the present study, using PFKFB3/iPFK2-disrupted mice, the role of PFKFB3/iPFK2 in the anti-diabetic effect of PPARgamma activation was determined. In wild-type littermate mice, PPARgamma activation (i.e. treatment with rosiglitazone) restored euglycemia and reversed high fat diet-induced insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. In contrast, PPARgamma activation did not reduce high fat diet-induced hyperglycemia and failed to reverse insulin resistance and glucose intolerance in PFKFB3(+/-) mice. The lack of anti-diabetic effect in PFKFB3(+/-) mice was associated with the inability of PPARgamma activation to suppress adipose tissue lipolysis and proinflammatory cytokine production, stimulate visceral fat accumulation, enhance adipose tissue insulin signaling, and appropriately regulate adipokine expression. Similarly, in cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes, knockdown of PFKFB3/iPFK2 lessened the effect of PPARgamma activation on stimulating lipid accumulation. Furthermore, PPARgamma activation did not suppress inflammatory signaling in PFKFB3/iPFK2-knockdown adipocytes as it did in control adipocytes. Upon inhibition of excessive fatty acid oxidation in PFKFB3/iPFK2-knockdown adipocytes, PPARgamma activation was able to significantly reverse inflammatory signaling and proinflammatory cytokine expression and restore insulin signaling. Together, these data demonstrate that PFKFB3/iPFK2 is critically involved in the anti-diabetic effect of PPARgamma activation.

Cardiac phosphatase-deficient 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase increases glycolysis, hypertrophy, and myocyte resistance to hypoxia.

During ischemia and heart failure, there is an increase in cardiac glycolysis. To understand if this is beneficial or detrimental to the heart, we chronically elevated glycolysis by cardiac-specific overexpression of phosphatase-deficient 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (PFK-2) in transgenic mice. PFK-2 controls the level of fructose-2,6-bisphosphate (Fru-2,6-P2), an important regulator of phosphofructokinase and glycolysis. Transgenic mice had over a threefold elevation in levels of Fru-2,6-P2. Cardiac metabolites upstream of phosphofructokinase were significantly reduced, as would be expected by the activation of phosphofructokinase. In perfused hearts, the transgene caused a significant increase in glycolysis that was less sensitive to inhibition by palmitate. Conversely, oxidation of palmitate was reduced by close to 50%. The elevation in glycolysis made isolated cardiomyocytes highly resistant to contractile inhibition by hypoxia, but in vivo the transgene had no effect on ischemia-reperfusion injury. Transgenic hearts exhibited pathology: the heart weight-to-body weight ratio was increased 17%, cardiomyocyte length was greater, and cardiac fibrosis was increased. However, the transgene did not change insulin sensitivity. These results show that the elevation in glycolysis provides acute benefits against hypoxia, but the chronic increase in glycolysis or reduction in fatty acid oxidation interferes with normal cardiac metabolism, which may be detrimental to the heart.

Inhibition of glucokinase translocation by AMP-activated protein kinase is associated with phosphorylation of both GKRP and 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase.

The rate of glucose phosphorylation in hepatocytes is determined by the subcellular location of glucokinase and by its association with its regulatory protein (GKRP) in the nucleus. Elevated glucose concentrations and precursors of fructose 1-phosphate (e.g., sorbitol) cause dissociation of glucokinase from GKRP and translocation to the cytoplasm. In this study, we investigated the counter-regulation of substrate-induced translocation by AICAR (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-beta-D-ribofuranoside), which is metabolized by hepatocytes to an AMP analog, and causes activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and depletion of ATP. During incubation of hepatocytes with 25 mM glucose, AICAR concentrations below 200 microM activated AMPK without depleting ATP and inhibited glucose phosphorylation and glucokinase translocation with half-maximal effect at 100-140 microM. Glucose phosphorylation and glucokinase translocation correlated inversely with AMPK activity. AICAR also counteracted translocation induced by a glucokinase activator and partially counteracted translocation by sorbitol. However, AICAR did not block the reversal of translocation (from cytoplasm to nucleus) after substrate withdrawal. Inhibition of glucose-induced translocation by AICAR was greater than inhibition by glucagon and was associated with phosphorylation of both GKRP and the cytoplasmic glucokinase binding protein, 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (PFK2) on ser-32. Expression of a kinase-active PFK2 variant lacking ser-32 partially reversed the inhibition of translocation by AICAR. Phosphorylation of GKRP by AMPK partially counteracted its inhibitory effect on glucokinase activity, suggesting altered interaction of glucokinase and GKRP. In summary, mechanisms downstream of AMPK activation, involving phosphorylation of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase and GKRP are involved in the ATP-independent inhibition of glucose-induced glucokinase translocation by AICAR in hepatocytes.

A role for PFK-2/FBPase-2, as distinct from fructose 2,6-bisphosphate, in regulation of insulin secretion in pancreatic beta-cells.

PFK-2/FBPase-2 (6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase) catalyses the formation and degradation of fructose 2,6-P(2) (fructose 2,6-bisphosphate) and is also a glucokinase-binding protein. The role of fructose 2,6-P(2) in regulating glucose metabolism and insulin secretion in pancreatic beta-cells is unresolved. We down-regulated the endogenous isoforms of PFK-2/FBPase-2 with siRNA (small interfering RNA) and expressed KA (kinase active) and KD (kinase deficient) variants to distinguish between the role of PFK-2/FBPase-2 protein and the role of its product, fructose 2,6-P(2), in regulating beta-cell function. Human islets expressed the PFKFB2 (the gene encoding isoform 2 of the PFK2/FBPase2 protein) and PFKFB3 (the gene encoding isoform 3 of the PFK2/FBPase2 protein) isoforms and mouse islets expressed PFKFB2 at the mRNA level [RT-PCR (reverse transcription-PCR)]. Rat islets expressed PFKFB2 lacking the C-terminal phosphorylation sites. The glucose-responsive MIN6 and INS1E cell lines expressed PFKFB2 and PFKFB3. PFK-2 activity and the cell content of fructose 2,6-P(2) were increased by elevated glucose concentration and during pharmacological activation of AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase), which also increased insulin secretion. Partial down-regulation of endogenous PFKFB2 and PFKFB3 in INS1E by siRNA decreased PFK-2/FBPase-2 protein, fructose 2,6-P(2) content, glucokinase activity and glucoseinduced insulin secretion. Selective down-regulation of glucose-induced fructose 2,6-P(2) in the absence of down-regulation of PFK-2/FBPase-2 protein, using a KD PFK-2/FBPase-2 variant, resulted in sustained glycolysis and elevated glucose-induced insulin secretion, indicating an over-riding role of PFK-2/FBPase-2 protein, as distinct from its product fructose 2,6-P(2), in potentiating glucose-induced insulin secretion. Whereas down-regulation of PFK-2/FBPase-2 decreased glucokinase activity, overexpression of PFK-2/FBPase-2 only affected glucokinase distribution. It is concluded that PFK-2/FBPase-2 protein rather than its product fructose 2,6-P(2) is the over-riding determinant of glucose-induced insulin secretion through regulation of glucokinase activity or subcellular targeting.

Contributions of glucokinase and phosphofructokinase-2/fructose bisphosphatase-2 to the elevated glycolysis in hepatocytes from Zucker fa/fa rats.

The insulin-resistant Zucker fa/fa rat has elevated hepatic glycolysis and activities of glucokinase and phosphofructokinase-2/fructose bisphosphatase-2 (PFK2). The latter catalyzes the formation and degradation of fructose-2,6-bisphosphate (fructose-2,6-P(2)) and is a glucokinase-binding protein. The contributions of glucokinase and PFK2 to the elevated glycolysis in fa/fa hepatocytes were determined by overexpressing these enzymes individually or in combination. Metabolic control analysis was used to determine enzyme coefficients on glycolysis and metabolite concentrations. Glucokinase had a high control coefficient on glycolysis in all hormonal conditions tested, whereas PFK2 had significant control only in the presence of glucagon, which phosphorylates PFK2 and suppresses glycolysis. Despite the high control strength of glucokinase, the elevated glycolysis in fa/fa hepatocytes could not be explained by the elevated glucokinase activity alone. In hepatocytes from fa/fa rats, glucokinase translocation between the nucleus and the cytoplasm was refractory to glucose but responsive to glucagon. Expression of a kinase-active PFK2 variant reversed the glucagon effect on glucokinase translocation and glucose phosphorylation, confirming the role for PFK2 in sequestering glucokinase in the cytoplasm. Glucokinase had a high control on glucose-6-phosphate content; however, like PFK2, it had a relative modest effect on the fructose-2,6-P(2) content. However, combined overexpression of glucokinase and PFK2 had a synergistic effect on fructose-2,6-P(2) levels, suggesting that interaction of these enzymes may be a prerequisite for formation of fructose-2,6-P(2). Cumulatively, this study provides support for coordinate roles for glucokinase and PFK2 in the elevated hepatic glycolysis in fa/fa rats.

Cell biology assessment of glucokinase mutations V62M and G72R in pancreatic beta-cells: evidence for cellular instability of catalytic activity.

Mutations in the glucokinase (GK) gene cause defects in blood glucose homeostasis. In some cases (V62M and G72R), the phenotype cannot be explained by altered enzyme kinetics or protein instability. We used transient and stable expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) GK chimaeras in MIN6 beta-cells to study the phenotype defect of V62M and G72R. GK activity in lysates of MIN6 cell lines stably expressing wild-type or mutant GFP GK showed the expected affinity for glucose and response to pharmacological activators, indicating the expression of catalytically active enzymes. MIN6 cells stably expressing GFP V62M or GFP G72R had a lower GK activity-to-GK immunoreactivity ratio and GK activity-to-GK mRNA ratio but not GK immunoreactivity-to-GK mRNA ratio than wild-type GFP GK. Heterologous expression of liver 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (PFK2/FDP2) in cell lines increased GK activity for wild-type GK and V62M but not for G72R, whereas expression of liver GK regulatory protein (GKRP) increased GK activity for wild type but not V62M or G72R. Lack of interaction of these mutants with GKRP was also evident in hepatocyte transfections from the lack of nuclear accumulation. These results suggest that cellular loss of GK catalytic activity rather than impaired translation or enhanced protein degradation may account for the hyperglycemia in subjects with V62M and G72R mutations.

The promoter for the gene encoding the catalytic subunit of rat glucose-6-phosphatase contains two distinct glucose-responsive regions.

Glucose homeostasis requires the proper expression and regulation of the catalytic subunit of glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase), which hydrolyzes glucose 6-phosphate to glucose in glucose-producing tissues. Glucose induces the expression of G-6-Pase at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels by unknown mechanisms. To better understand this metabolic regulation, we mapped the cis-regulatory elements conferring glucose responsiveness to the rat G-6-Pase gene promoter in glucose-responsive cell lines. The full-length (-4078/+64) promoter conferred a moderate glucose response to a reporter construct in HL1C rat hepatoma cells, which was dependent on coexpression of glucokinase. The same construct provided a robust glucose response in 832/13 INS-1 rat insulinoma cells, which are not glucogenic. Glucose also strongly increased endogenous G-6-Pase mRNA levels in 832/13 cells and in rat pancreatic islets, although the induced levels from islets were still markedly lower than in untreated primary hepatocytes. A distal promoter region was glucose responsive in 832/13 cells and contained a carbohydrate response element with two E-boxes separated by five base pairs. Carbohydrate response element-binding protein bound this region in a glucose-dependent manner in situ. A second, proximal promoter region was glucose responsive in both 832/13 and HL1C cells, with a hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 binding site and two cAMP response elements required for glucose responsiveness. Expression of dominant-negative versions of both cAMP response element-binding protein and CAAT/enhancer-binding protein blocked the glucose response of the proximal region in a dose-dependent manner. We conclude that multiple, distinct cis-regulatory promoter elements are involved in the glucose response of the rat G-6-Pase gene.

Roles for fructose-2,6-bisphosphate in the control of fuel metabolism: beyond its allosteric effects on glycolytic and gluconeogenic enzymes.

Fructose-2,6-bisphosphate (F26P2) was identified as a regulator of glucose metabolism over 25 years ago. A truly bifunctional enzyme, 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (6PFK2/FBP2), with two active sites synthesizes F26P2 from fructose-6-phosphate (F6P) and ATP or degrades F26P2 to F6P and Pi. In the classic view, F26P2 regulates glucose metabolism by allosteric effects on 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase (6PFK1, activation) and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase, inhibition). When levels of F26P2 are high, glycolysis is enhanced and gluconeogenesis is inhibited. In this regard, altering levels of F26P2 via 6PFK2/FBP2 overexpression has been used for metabolic modulation, and has been shown capable of restoring euglycemia in rodent models of diabetes. Recently, a number of novel observations have suggested that F26P2 has much broader effects on the enzymes of glucose metabolism. This is evidenced by the effects of F26P2 on the gene expression of two key glucose metabolic enzymes, glucokinase (GK) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase). When levels of F26P2 are elevated in the liver, the gene expression and protein amount of GK is increased whereas G6Pase is decreased. These coordinated changes in GK and G6Pase protein illustrate how F26P2 regulates glucose metabolism. F26P2 also affects the gene expression of enzymes related to lipid metabolism. When F26P2 levels are elevated in liver, the expression of two key lipogenic enzymes, acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) is reduced, contributing to a unique coordinated decrease in lipogenesis. When combined, F26P2 effects on glucose and lipid metabolism provide cooperative regulation of fuel metabolism. The regulatory roles for F26P2 have also expanded to transcription factors, as well as certain key proteins (enzymes) of signaling and/or energy sensoring. Although some effects may be secondary to changes in metabolite levels, high levels of F26P2 have been shown to regulate protein amount and/or phosphorylation state of hepatic nuclear factor 1-alpha (HNF1alpha), carbohydrate response element binding protein (ChREBP), peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha), and peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma co-activator 1beta (PGC1beta), as well as Akt and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Importantly, changes in these transcription factors, signaling proteins, and sensor proteins are produced in a way that appropriately coordinates whole body fuel metabolism.

Perturbation of glucose flux in the liver by decreasing F26P2 levels causes hepatic insulin resistance and hyperglycemia.

Hepatic insulin resistance is one of the characteristics of type 2 diabetes and contributes to the development of hyperglycemia. How changes in hepatic glucose flux lead to insulin resistance is not clearly defined. We determined the effects of decreasing the levels of hepatic fructose 2,6-bisphosphate (F26P(2)), a key regulator of glucose metabolism, on hepatic glucose flux in the normal 129J mice. Upon adenoviral overexpression of a kinase activity-deficient 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase, the enzyme that determines F26P(2) level, hepatic F26P(2) levels were decreased twofold compared with those of control virus-treated mice in basal state. In addition, under hyperinsulinemic conditions, hepatic F26P(2) levels were much lower than those of the control. The decrease in F26P(2) leads to the elevation of basal and insulin-suppressed hepatic glucose production. Also, the efficiency of insulin to suppress hepatic glucose production was decreased (63.3 vs. 95.5% suppression of the control). At the molecular level, a decrease in insulin-stimulated Akt phosphorylation was consistent with hepatic insulin resistance. In the low hepatic F26P(2) states, increases in both gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis in the liver are responsible for elevations of hepatic glucose production and thereby contribute to the development of hyperglycemia. Additionally, the increased hepatic gluconeogenesis was associated with the elevated mRNA levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1alpha and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase. This study provides the first in vivo demonstration showing that decreasing hepatic F26P(2) levels leads to increased gluconeogenesis in the liver. Taken together, the present study demonstrates that perturbation of glucose flux in the liver plays a predominant role in the development of a diabetic phenotype, as characterized by hepatic insulin resistance.

Cre recombinase-dependent expression of a constitutively active mutant allele of the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A.

Using the cre-loxP recombination system, we generated a line of mice expressing a constitutively active catalytic subunit of Protein Kinase A (PKA) in a temporally and spatially regulated fashion. In the absence of cre recombinase the modified catalytic subunit allele is functionally silent, but after recombination the mutant allele is expressed, resulting in enhanced PKA effects at basal cAMP levels. Mice expressing the modified protein in hepatocytes using albumin-cre transgenics show defects in glucose homeostasis, glycogen storage, fructose 2,6-bisphosphate levels, and induction of glucokinase mRNA during feeding. Similar to animals lacking glucokinase in the liver (Postic et al.: J Biol Chem 274:305-315, 1999), these mice also have defects in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, a hallmark of Type II diabetes. The widespread expression of PKA and the involvement of this kinase in a myriad of signaling pathways suggest that these animals will provide critical tools for the study of PKA function in vivo.

Enhancing hepatic glycolysis reduces obesity: differential effects on lipogenesis depend on site of glycolytic modulation.

Reducing obesity requires an elevation of energy expenditure and/or a suppression of food intake. Here we show that enhancing hepatic glycolysis reduces body weight and adiposity in obese mice. Overexpression of glucokinase or 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase is used to increase hepatic glycolysis. Either of the two treatments produces similar increases in rates of fatty acid oxidation in extrahepatic tissues, i.e., skeletal muscle, leading to an elevation of energy expenditure. However, only 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase overexpression causes a suppression of food intake and a decrease in hypothalamic neuropeptide Y expression, contributing to a more pronounced reduction of body weight with this treatment. Furthermore, the two treatments cause differential lipid profiles due to opposite effects on hepatic lipogenesis, associated with distinct phosphorylation states of carbohydrate response element binding protein and AMP-activated protein kinase. The step at which hepatic glycolysis is enhanced dramatically influences overall whole-body energy balance and lipid profiles.

Dual role of phosphofructokinase-2/fructose bisphosphatase-2 in regulating the compartmentation and expression of glucokinase in hepatocytes.

Hepatic glucokinase is regulated by a 68-kDa regulatory protein (GKRP) that is both an inhibitor and nuclear receptor for glucokinase. We tested the role of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (PFK2) in regulating glucokinase compartmentation in hepatocytes. PFK2 catalyzes formation or degradation of the regulator of glycolysis fructose 2,6-bisphosphate (fructose 2,6-P2), depending on its phosphorylation state (ser-32), and is also a glucokinase-binding protein. Incubation of hepatocytes at 25 mmol/l glucose causes translocation of glucokinase from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and an increase in fructose 2,6-P2. Glucagon caused phosphorylation of PFK2-ser-32, lowered the fructose 2,6-P2 concentration, and inhibited glucose-induced translocation of glucokinase. These effects of glucagon were reversed by expression of a kinase-active PFK2 mutant (S32A/H258A) that overrides the suppression of fructose 2,6-P2 but not by overexpression of wild-type PFK2. Overexpression of PFK2 potentiated glucokinase expression in hepatocytes transduced with an adenoviral vector-encoding glucokinase by a mechanism that does not involve stabilization of glucokinase protein from degradation. It is concluded that PFK2 has a dual role in regulating glucokinase in hepatocytes: it potentiates glucokinase protein expression by posttranscriptional mechanisms and favors its cytoplasmic compartmentation. Thus, it acts in a complementary mechanism to GKRP, which also regulates glucokinase protein expression and compartmentation.

Identification and characterization of the ATP-binding site in human pancreatic glucokinase.

The central role of human pancreatic glucokinase in insulin secretion and, consequently, in maintenance of blood glucose levels has prompted investigation into identification of ATP-binding site residues and examination of ATP- and glucose-binding interactions. Because glucokinase has been resistant to crystallization, computer generated homology models were developed based on the X-ray crystal structure of the COOH-terminal domain of human brain hexokinase 1 bound to glucose and ADP or glucose and glucose-6-phosphate. Human pancreatic glucokinase mutants were designed based upon these models and on ATPase domain sequence conservation to identify and characterize potential glucose and ATP-binding sites. Specifically, mutants Asp78Ala, Thr82Ala, Lys90Ala, Lys102Ala, Gly227Ala, Thr228Ala, Ser336Leu, Ser411Ala, and Ser411Leu were constructed, expressed, purified, and kinetically characterized under steady-state conditions. Compared to their respective wild type controls, several mutants demonstrated dramatic changes in V(max), cooperativity of glucose binding and S(0.5) for ATP and glucose. Results suggest a role for Asp78, Thr82, Gly227, Thr228, and Ser336 in ATP binding and indicate these residues are essential for glucose phosphorylation by human pancreatic glucokinase.

Reduction of hepatic glucose production as a therapeutic target in the treatment of diabetes.

There has been an alarming increase in the population diagnosed with diabetes worldwide. Although there is an ongoing debate as to the role of liver in the pathogenesis of diabetes, reduction of hepatic glucose production has been targeted as a strategy for diabetes treatment. Indeed, reduction of hepatic glucose production can be achieved through modulation of both hepatic and extra-hepatic targets. This review describes the role of the liver in the control of glucose homeostasis. Gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis are pathways for glucose production, whereas glycolysis and glycogenesis are pathways for glucose utilization/storage. At the biochemical and molecular level, the metabolic and regulatory enzymes integrate hormonal and nutritional signals and regulate glucose flux in the liver. Modulating either activities of or gene expression of these metabolic enzymes can control hepatic glucose production. Dysfunction of one or several enzyme(s) due to insulin deficiency or resistance results in increases in fluxes of glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis and/or decreases in fluxes of glycolysis and glycogenesis, which thereby lead to glucose generation exceeding glucose consumption/disposal, as well as dysregulation of lipid metabolism. Activation of enzymes that promote glucose utilization/storage and/or inhibition of enzymes that reduce glucose generation achieve reduction of hepatic glucose production, and hence lower levels of plasma glucose in diabetes. This is also beneficial for the correction of dyslipidemia. Therefore, many enzymes are viable therapeutic targets for diabetes.

Investigation of in vivo fatty acid metabolism in AFABP/aP2(-/-) mice.

The metabolic impact of the murine adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (AFABP/aP2) on lipid metabolism was investigated in the AFABP/aP2(-/-) mouse and compared with wild-type C57BL/6J littermates. Mice were weaned on a high-fat diet (59% of energy from fat) and acclimated to meal feeding. Stable isotopes were administered, and indirect calorimetry was performed to quantitate fatty acid flux, dietary fatty acid utilization, and substrate oxidation. Consistent with previous in situ and in vitro studies, fasting serum nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) release was significantly reduced in AFABP/aP2(-/-) (17.1 +/- 9.0 vs. 51.9 +/- 22.9 mg.kg(-1).min(-1)). AFABP/aP2(-/-) exhibited higher serum NEFA (1.4 +/- 0.6 vs. 0.8 +/- 0.4 mmol/l, AFABP/aP2(-/-) vs. C57BL/6J, respectively) and triacylglycerol (TAG; 0.23 +/- 0.09 vs. 0.13 +/- 0.10 mmol/l) and accumulated more TAG in liver tissue (2.9 +/- 2.3 vs. 1.1 +/- 0.8% wet wt) in the fasted state. For the liver-TAG pool, 16.4 +/- 7.3% of TAG-fatty acids were derived from serum NEFA in AFABP/aP2(-/-). In contrast, a significantly greater portion of C57BL/6J liver-TAG was derived from serum NEFA (42.3 +/- 25.5%) during tracer infusion. For adipose-TAG stores, only 0.29 +/- 0.04% was derived from serum NEFA in AFABP/aP2(-/-), and, in C57BL/6J, 1.85 +/- 0.97% of adipose-TAG was derived from NEFA. In addition, AFABP/aP2(-/-) preferentially oxidized glucose relative to fatty acids in the fed state. These data demonstrate that in vivo disruption of AFABP/aP2(-/-) leads to changes in the following two major metabolic processes: 1) decreased adipose NEFA efflux and 2) preferential utilization of glucose relative to fatty acids.