scholarly journals In Vivo Metabolic Roles of G Proteins of the Gi Family Studied with Novel Mouse Models

Endocrinology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jürgen Wess

Abstract G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the target of ~30-35% of all FDA-approved drugs. The individual members of the GPCR superfamily couple to one or more functional classes of heterotrimeric G proteins. The physiological outcome of activating a particular GPCR in vivo depends on the pattern of receptor distribution and the type of G proteins activated by the receptor. Based on the structural and functional properties of their α-subunits, heterotrimeric G proteins are subclassified into four major families: Gs, Gi/o, Gq/11, and G12/13. Recent studies with genetically engineered mice have yielded important novel insights into the metabolic roles of Gi/o-type G proteins. For example, recent data indicate that Gi signaling in pancreatic α-cells plays a key role in regulating glucagon release and whole body glucose homeostasis. Receptor-mediated activation of hepatic Gi signaling stimulates hepatic glucose production, suggesting that inhibition of hepatic Gi signaling could prove clinically useful to reduce pathologically elevated blood glucose levels. Activation of adipocyte Gi signaling reduces plasma free fatty acid levels, thus leading to improved insulin sensitivity in obese, glucose-intolerant mice. These new data suggest that Gi-coupled receptors that are enriched in metabolically important cell types represent potential targets for the development of novel drugs useful for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and related metabolic disorders.

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Subramanya Srikantan ◽  
Yilun Deng ◽  
Zi-Ming Cheng ◽  
Anqi Luo ◽  
Yuejuan Qin ◽  
...  

Abstract Understanding the molecular components of insulin signaling is relevant to effectively manage insulin resistance. We investigated the phenotype of the TMEM127 tumor suppressor gene deficiency in vivo. Whole-body Tmem127 knockout mice have decreased adiposity and maintain insulin sensitivity, low hepatic fat deposition and peripheral glucose clearance after a high-fat diet. Liver-specific and adipose-specific Tmem127 deletion partially overlap global Tmem127 loss: liver Tmem127 promotes hepatic gluconeogenesis and inhibits peripheral glucose uptake, while adipose Tmem127 downregulates adipogenesis and hepatic glucose production. mTORC2 is activated in TMEM127-deficient hepatocytes suggesting that it interacts with TMEM127 to control insulin sensitivity. Murine hepatic Tmem127 expression is increased in insulin-resistant states and is reversed by diet or the insulin sensitizer pioglitazone. Importantly, human liver TMEM127 expression correlates with steatohepatitis and insulin resistance. Our results suggest that besides tumor suppression activities, TMEM127 is a nutrient-sensing component of glucose/lipid homeostasis and may be a target in insulin resistance.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nour Y Gebara ◽  
Joon Young Kim ◽  
Fida Bacha ◽  
SoJung Lee ◽  
Silva A Arslanian

Abstract Obese individuals have metabolic inflexibility evidenced by diminished fasting fat oxidation and blunted increase in respiratory quotient (RQ) from fasting to insulin-stimulated state. Metabolically unhealthy obese (MUHO) adolescents, unlike their metabolically healthy obese (MHO) peers, have unfavorable metabolic characteristics despite having comparable adiposity. We investigated if metabolic inflexibility is a characteristic of obesity per se or is unique to MUHO compared with MHO youth. Obese youth (n=188; age 14.1 ± 0.1 yrs [SE]; BMI 33.6 ± 0.4 kg/m2) were divided into 137 MUHO (age 14.1 ± 0.2 yrs; BMI 35.4 ± 0.5 kg/m2) and 51 MHO (age 13.9 ± 0.3 yrs; BMI 29.0 ± 0.7 kg/m2) based on cut points for in vivo insulin sensitivity (IS) [MHO within 1.5 SD and MUHO <1.5 SDs of 72 normal-weight (NW) adolescents’ IS values]. RQ (by indirect calorimetry) at fasting and during a hyperinsulinemic (80mu/m2/min)-euglycemic clamp was measured, and ∆RQ calculated. Body composition (by DEXA), visceral adipose tissue (VAT) (by CT and MRI), hepatic IS (HIS) (calculated from fasting hepatic glucose production by [6,6-2H2]glucose and fasting insulin), adipose IS (ATIS) (calculated from whole body lipolysis by [2H5]glycerol and fasting insulin), and peripheral IS were assessed. MUHO vs. MHO youth had blunted ∆RQ (0.088 ± 0.004 vs. 0.107 ± 0.007, p=0.035), but MHO was not different from NW (0.098 ± 0.004, p=0.893). Further, MUHO vs. MHO youth had lower HIS (15.3 ± 0.7 vs. 24.3 ± 1.6 (mg/kg/min·uU/mL)-1, p<0.0001) and lower ATIS (9.8 ± 0.5 vs. 22.3 ± 3.1 (umol/kg/min·uU/mL)-1, p<0.0001), but HIS and ATIS were not different between MHO and NW youth (24.3 ± 1.6 vs. 20.8 ± 1.2 (mg/kg/min·uU/mL)-1, and 22.3 ± 3.1 vs. 22.0 ± 1.4 (umol/kg/min·uU/mL)-1, p=ns for both). ∆RQ correlated with HIS (r=0.535), ATIS (r=0.288) and VAT (r=-0.309) (p<0.0001 for all), but not with BMI, BMI Z-scores or % body fat. The differences between MUHO and MHO youth in ∆RQ, HIS and ATIS remained significant after adjusting for % body fat, race, pubertal status and VAT. The present study reveals that metabolic inflexibility is not a feature of obesity, rather it is a characteristic of MUHO youth who have significantly lower ∆RQ compared with MHO youth, with no difference between MHO and NW youth. Moreover, MUHO compared with MHO youth have worse metabolic profile, represented in lower HIS and ATIS.


1997 ◽  
Vol 272 (4) ◽  
pp. E523-E529 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Arslanian ◽  
C. Suprasongsin

This investigation examined whether puberty differs from prepuberty in regard to the effects of increased free fatty acid (FFA) on in vivo glucose metabolism. Nine prepubertal and 13 pubertal healthy children were studied. Each subject was studied twice, once with 0.9% sodium chloride solution (control study) and once with 20% Intralipid infusion in the basal state and during a 3-h hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, with [6,6-2H2]glucose tracer. During control studies, prepubertal children had lower basal fat oxidation and higher insulin-mediated glucose disposal than pubertal adolescents. During Intralipid infusion, basal glucose uptake increased in prepubertal children but did not change in pubertal adolescents. Insulin-stimulated whole body glucose disposal did not change in prepubertal children (control 77.6 +/- 8.9, Intralipid 84.5 +/- 13.3 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1)) but decreased in pubertal adolescents (control 55.0 +/- 3.6, Intralipid 46.7 +/- 3.4 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1), P = 0.01) despite comparable decrements in glucose oxidaion. We conclude that in prepubertal children lipids exert effects in the basal state by stimulating hepatic glucose production and glucose disposal, whereas in pubertal adolescents they induce peripheral tissue insulin resistance by decreasing insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. This differential response could be due to developmental-maturational changes in tissue sensitivity and/or specificity to the glucose-FFA interaction.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Morisada Hayakawa ◽  
Asuka Sakata ◽  
Hiroko Hayakawa ◽  
Hikari Matsumoto ◽  
Takafumi Hiramoto ◽  
...  

AbstractCoagulation factors are produced from hepatocytes, whereas production of coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) from primary tissues and cell species is still controversial. Here, we tried to characterize primary FVIII-producing organ and cell species using genetically engineered mice, in which enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) was expressed instead of the F8 gene. EGFP-positive FVIII-producing cells existed only in thin sinusoidal layer of the liver and characterized as CD31high, CD146high, and lymphatic vascular endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1 (Lyve1)+. EGFP-positive cells can be clearly distinguished from lymphatic endothelial cells in the expression profile of the podoplanin− and C-type lectin-like receptor-2 (CLEC-2)+. In embryogenesis, EGFP-positive cells began to emerge at E14.5 and subsequently increased according to liver maturation. Furthermore, plasma FVIII could be abolished by crossing F8 conditional deficient mice with Lyve1-Cre mice. In conclusion, in mice, FVIII is only produced from endothelial cells exhibiting CD31high, CD146high, Lyve1+, CLEC-2+, and podoplanin− in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells.


1996 ◽  
Vol 270 (1) ◽  
pp. E186-E191 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. F. Petersen ◽  
T. Price ◽  
G. W. Cline ◽  
D. L. Rothman ◽  
G. I. Shulman

Relative contributions of net hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis to glucose production during the first 12 h of a fast were studied in 13 healthy volunteers by noninvasively measuring hepatic glycogen content using 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Rates of net hepatic glycogenolysis were calculated by multiplying the change in liver glycogen content with liver volume determined by magnetic resonance imaging. Rates of gluconeogenesis were calculated as the difference between rates of glucose production determined with an infusion of [6,6-2H]-glucose and net hepatic glycogenolysis. At 6 P.M. a liquid mixed meal (1,000 kcal; 60% as glucose) was given, to which [2-2H]glucose was added to trace glucose absorption. Hepatic glycogen content was measured between 11 P.M. and 1 A.M. and between 3 and 6 A.M. At 11 P.M. the concentration was 470 mM and it decreased linearly during the night. The mean liver volume was 1.47 +/- 0.06 liters. Net hepatic glycogenolysis (5.8 +/- 0.8 mumol.kg body wt-1.min-1) accounted for, on average, 45 +/- 6% and gluconeogenesis for 55 +/- 6% of the rate of whole body glucose production (12.6 +/- 0.6 mumol.kg body wt-1.min-1). In conclusion, this study shows that, even early in the phase of the postabsorptive period when liver glycogen stores are maximal, gluconeogenesis contributes approximately 50% to hepatic glucose production.


1989 ◽  
Vol 257 (1) ◽  
pp. E35-E42 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. De Feo ◽  
G. Perriello ◽  
E. Torlone ◽  
M. M. Ventura ◽  
C. Fanelli ◽  
...  

To test the hypothesis that cortisol secretion plays a counterregulatory role in hypoglycemia in humans, four studies were performed in eight normal subjects. In all studies, insulin (15 mU.m-2.min-1) was infused subcutaneously (plasma insulin 27 +/- 1 microU/ml). In study 1, plasma glucose concentration and glucose fluxes [( 3-3H]glucose), substrate, and counterregulatory hormone concentrations were simply monitored, and plasma glucose decreased from 89 +/- 2 to 52 +/- 2 mg/dl for 12 h. In study 2, (pituitary-adrenal-pancreatic clamp), insulin and counterregulatory hormone secretion (except for catecholamines) was prevented by somatostatin (0.5 mg/h, iv) and metyrapone (0.5 g/4 h, per os), and glucagon, cortisol, and growth hormone were infused to reproduce the concentrations of study 1. In study 3 (lack of cortisol increase), the pituitary-adrenal-pancreatic clamp was performed with maintenance of plasma cortisol at basal levels, and glucose was infused, whenever needed, to reproduce plasma glucose concentration of study 2. Study 4 was identical to study 3, but exogenous glucose was not infused. Isolated lack of cortisol increase caused a approximately 22% decrease in hepatic glucose production (P less than 0.01) and a approximately 15% increase in peripheral glucose utilization (P less than 0.01), which resulted in greater hypoglycemia (37 +/- 2 vs. 52 +/- 2 mg/dl, P less than 0.01) despite compensatory increases in plasma epinephrine. Lack of cortisol response also reduced plasma free fatty acid, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and glycerol concentrations approximately 50%. We conclude that cortisol normally plays an important counterregulatory role during hypoglycemia by augmenting glucose production, decreasing glucose utilization, and accelerating lipolysis.


Author(s):  
Dale S. Edgerton ◽  
Mary Courtney Moore ◽  
Justin M. Gregory ◽  
Guillaume Kraft ◽  
Alan D. Cherrington

Pancreatic insulin secretion produces an insulin gradient at the liver compared to the rest of the body (approximately 3:1). This physiologic distribution is lost when insulin is injected subcutaneously, causing impaired regulation of hepatic glucose production and whole body glucose uptake, as well as arterial hyperinsulinemia. Thus, the hepatoportal insulin gradient is essential to the normal control of glucose metabolism during both fasting and feeding. Insulin can regulate hepatic glucose production and uptake through multiple mechanisms, but its direct effects on the liver are dominant under physiologic conditions. Given the complications associated with iatrogenic hyperinsulinemia in patients treated with insulin, insulin designed to preferentially target the liver may have therapeutic advantages.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana M. Cruz ◽  
Yasaman Malekizadeh ◽  
Julia M. Vlachaki Walker ◽  
Paul G. Weightman Potter ◽  
Katherine Pye ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTAMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a critical cellular and whole body energy sensor activated by energy stress, including hypoglycemia, which is frequently experienced by people with diabetes. Previous studies using direct delivery of an AMPK activator to the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) in rodents increased hepatic glucose production. Moreover, recurrent glucoprivation in the hypothalamus leads to blunted AMPK activation and defective hormonal responses to subsequent hypoglycemia. These data suggest that amplifying AMPK activation may prevent or reduce frequency hypoglycemia in diabetes. We used a novel brain-permeable AMPK activator, R481, which potently increased AMPK phosphorylation in vitro. R481 significantly increased peak glucose levels during glucose tolerance tests in rats, which were attenuated by treatment with AMPK inhibitor SBI-0206965 and completely abolished by blockade of the autonomic nervous system. This occurred without altering insulin sensitivity measured by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps. Endogenous insulin secretion was not altered by R481 treatment. During hyperinsulinemic-hypoglycemic clamp studies, R481 treatment reduced exogenous glucose requirements and amplified peak glucagon levels during hypoglycemia. These data demonstrate that peripheral administration of the brain permeable AMPK activator R481 amplifies the counterregulatory response to hypoglycemia in rats, which could have clinical relevance for prevention of hypoglycemia.


2000 ◽  
Vol 278 (4) ◽  
pp. R956-R963 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Michel Weber ◽  
Deena S. Shanghavi

The rate of hepatic glucose production (Ra glucose) of rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss) was measured in vivo by continuous infusion of [6-3H]glucose and in vitro on isolated hepatocytes to examine the role of epinephrine (Epi) in its regulation. By elevating Epi concentration and/or blocking β-adrenoreceptors with propranolol (Prop), our goals were to investigate the mechanism for Epi-induced hyperglycemia to determine the possible role played by basal Epi concentration in maintaining resting Ra glucose and to assess indirect effects of Epi in the intact animal. In vivo infusion of Epi caused hyperglycemia (3.75 ± 0.16 to 8.75 ± 0.54 mM) and a twofold increase in Ra glucose (6.57 ± 0.79 to 13.30 ± 1.78 μmol ⋅ kg− 1 ⋅ min− 1, n = 7), whereas Prop infusion decreased Ra from 7.65 ± 0.92 to 4.10 ± 0.56 μmol ⋅ kg− 1 ⋅ min− 1( n = 10). Isolated hepatocytes increased glucose production when treated with Epi, and this response was abolished in the presence of Prop. We conclude that Epi-induced trout hyperglycemia is entirely caused by an increase in Ra glucose, because the decrease in the rate of glucose disappearance normally seen in mammals does not occur in trout. Basal circulating levels of Epi are involved in maintaining resting Ra glucose. Epi stimulates in vitro glucose production in a dose-dependent manner, and its effects are mainly mediated by β-adrenoreceptors. Isolated trout hepatocytes produce glucose at one-half the basal rate measured in vivo, even when diet, temperature, and body size are standardized, and basal circulating Epi is responsible for part of this discrepancy. The relative increase in Ra glucose after Epi stimulation is similar in vivo and in vitro, suggesting that indirect in vivo effects of Epi, such as changes in hepatic blood flow or in other circulating hormones, do not play an important role in the regulation of glucose production in trout.


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