Elevation of glucagon
levels and increase in a-cell mass are associated with
states of hyperglycemia in diabetes. Our previous studies have highlighted the
role of nutrient signaling via mTOR Complex 1 (mTORC1) regulation that controls
glucagon secretion and a-cell mass. The current studies investigated the effects of activation of nutrient
signaling by conditional deletion of the mTORC1 inhibitor, TSC2, in a-cells (aTSC2<sup>KO</sup>).
We showed that activation of mTORC1 signaling is sufficient to induce chronic hyperglucagonemia
as a result of a-cell proliferation, cell
size and mass expansion. Hyperglucagonemia in aTSC2<sup>KO</sup> was
associated with an increase in glucagon content and enhanced glucagon
secretion. This model allowed us to identify the effects of chronic hyperglucagonemia
on glucose homeostasis by inducing insulin secretion and resistance to glucagon
in the liver. Liver glucagon resistance in aTSC2<sup>KO</sup> mice were characterized by reduced expression of the glucagon
receptor (GCGR), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase
(PEPCK) and genes involved in amino acid metabolism and urea production. Glucagon resistance in aTSC2<sup>KO</sup> mice was associated with improved glucose levels in Streptozotocin
(STZ)-induced
β-cell destruction and HFD-induced glucose intolerance. These studies demonstrate that chronic hyperglucagonemia can improve
glucose homeostasis by inducing glucagon resistance in the liver.