A proteasome inhibitor confers cardioprotection

OBJECTIVE: In several cell types, proteasome inhibitors like carbobenzoxyl-leucinyl-leucinyl-leucinal (MG132) induce the 72 kDa heat shock protein (Hsp72) and exert cell protective effects. However, data in cardiomyocytes are currently lacking. METHODS AND RESULTS: We investigated the effects of MG132 in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. MG132 time- and concentration-dependently induced Hsp72 and Hsp32 at mRNA and protein levels. Although Hsp60 mRNA was induced, Hsp60 protein levels were not altered. MG132 activated p38 MAP kinase already after 0.5 h. Hsp mRNA induction started after 2 h of MG132 treatment. Subsequently, Hsp72 and Hsp32 protein levels were increased after 4 h. SB202190, an inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase, concentration-dependently attenuated MG132-induced Hsp72-and Hsp32-elevations (by 59% and 41%, respectively, at 1 microM SB202190). In contrast, herbimycin A, a known inductor of Hsp72 in cardiomyocytes, enhanced the MG132-induced Hsp72 and Hsp32 expression even further: additionally applied 2 microM herbimycin A induced Hsp72 and Hsp32 about 2-fold higher than 1 microM MG132 alone. MG132 (1 microM) decreased the hyperthermia- or hydrogen peroxide-induced release of lactate dehydrogenase by 45% and by 35%, respectively (P<0.05, n=5). MG132 (1 microM) prolonged the spontaneous beating time of cardiomyocytes at 46 degrees C from 5+/-2 min (control hyperthermia) to 28+/-5 min (P<0.05, n=4). Thus, inhibition of the proteasome function by MG132 protects cardiomyocytes against hyperthermic or oxidative injury. This protective effect and Hsp induction were abolished by 1 microM SB202190. CONCLUSION: Proteasome inhibition results in p38 MAP kinase-dependent induction of Hsp72 and Hsp32 and might be a novel cardioprotective modality.     

Lentiviral short hairpin ribonucleic acid-mediated knockdown of GLUT4 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Adipose tissue is an important insulin target organ, and 3T3-L1 cells are a model cell line for adipocytes. In this study, we have used lentivirus-mediated short hairpin RNA (shRNA) for functional gene knockdown in 3T3-L1 adipocytes to assess the molecular mechanisms of insulin signaling. We chose to target GLUT4 to validate this approach. We showed that lentiviruses efficiently delivered transgenes and small interfering RNA (siRNA) into fully differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We established a strategy for identifying efficient siRNA sequences for gene knockdown by transfecting 293 cells with the target gene fluorescent fusion protein plasmid along with a plasmid that expresses shRNA. Using these methods, we identified highly efficient siGLUT4 sequences. We demonstrated that lentivirus-mediated shRNA against GLUT4 reduced endogenous GLUT4 expression to almost undetectable levels in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Interestingly, insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was only reduced by 50-60%, suggesting that another glucose transporter mediates part of this effect. When siGLUT1 was introduced into GLUT4-deficient adipocytes, insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was essentially abolished, indicating that both GLUT4 and GLUT1 contribute to insulin-stimulated glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We also found that GLUT4 knockdown led to impaired insulin-responsive aminopeptidase protein expression that was dependent on whether GLUT4 was knocked down in the differentiating or differentiated stage. We further found that GLUT4 expression was not required for adipogenic differentiation but was necessary for full lipogenic capacity of differentiated adipocytes. These studies indicate that lentiviral shRNA constructs provide an excellent approach to deliver functional siRNAs into 3T3-L1 adipocytes for studying insulin signaling and adipocyte biology.     

未知功能基因JAZF1过表达对3T3-L1脂肪细胞糖脂代谢的影响

目的 观察JAZF1基因(Juxtaposed with another zincfinger gene 1)过表达对3T3-L1脂肪细胞糖脂代谢相关基因的影响.方法 采用实时荧光定量PCR(RT-QPCR)法检测JAZF1 mRNA在健康C57BL/6J小鼠多种组织表达分布情况;构建JAZF1真核表达载体并瞬时转染3T3-L1细胞,RT-QPCR法检测JAZF1、糖脂代谢相关基因mRNA的表达;用Western印迹法测定各组细胞JAZF1蛋白水平;油红O染色比色法检测细胞内脂质积聚的变化.结果 转染48 h后,JAZF1转染组脂肪细胞中,JAZF1 mRNA及蛋白表达明显高于阴性对照和空载组,激素敏感脂肪酶(HSL)mRNA表达水平明显增加(P<0.05),脂肪酸合成酶(FAS)、乙酰辅酶A羧化酶(ACC)、类固醇调节元件结合蛋白1(SREBP1)mRNA相对表达量明显降低(均P<0.01),脂肪细胞甘油三酯酶(ATGL)、葡萄糖转运子1(GLUT1)、GLUT4 mRNA表达并无明显改变;油红O染色显示JAZF1转染组细胞内脂质积聚明显降低(P<0.05).结论 JAZFl在C57BL/6J小鼠多种组织均有表达,提示其可能在维持正常生理功能中起着一定作用.3T3-L1细胞过表达JAZF1可减少脂质合成、增加脂解,并可明显改善脂质积聚,可能是肥胖和糖尿病治疗的一个潜在靶点.     

Suppressed intrinsic catalytic activity of GLUT1 glucose transporters in insulin-sensitive 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Previous studies indicated that the erythroidtype (GLUT1) glucose transporter isoform contributes to basal but not insulin-stimulated hexose transport in mouse 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In the present studies it was found that basal hexose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes was about 50% lower than that in 3T3-L1 or CHO-K1 fibroblasts. Intrinsic catalytic activities of GLUT1 transporters in CHO-K1 and 3T3-L1 cells were compared by normalizing these hexose transport rates to GLUT1 content on the cell surface, as measured by two independent methods. Cell surface GLUT1 levels in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts and adipocytes were about 10- and 25-fold higher, respectively, than in CHO-K1 fibroblasts, as assessed with an anti-GLUT1 exofacial domain antiserum, delta. The large excess of cell surface GLUT1 transporters in 3T3-L1 adipocytes relative to CHO-K1 fibroblasts was confirmed by GLUT1 protein immunoblot analysis and by photoaffinity labelling (with 3-[125I]iodo-4-azidophenethylamido-7-O-succinyldeacetylforskoli n) of glucose transporters in isolated plasma membranes. Thus, GLUT1 intrinsic activity is markedly reduced in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts compared with the CHO-K1 fibroblasts, and further reduction occurs upon differentiation to adipocytes. Intrinsic catalytic activities specifically associated with heterologously expressed human GLUT1 protein in transfected CHO-K1 versus 3T3-L1 cells were determined by subtracting appropriate control cell values for hexose transport and delta-antibody binding from those determined in the transfected cells expressing high levels of human GLUT1. The results confirmed a greater than 90% inhibition of the intrinsic catalytic activity of human GLUT1 transporters on the surface of mouse 3T3-L1 adipocytes relative to CHO-K1 fibroblasts. We conclude that a mechanism that markedly suppresses basal hexose transport catalyzed by GLUT1 is a major contributor to the dramatic insulin sensitivity of glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.     

IRS1 degradation and increased serine phosphorylation cannot predict the degree of metabolic insulin resistance induced by oxidative stress

AIM/HYPOTHESIS: Oxidative stress was shown to selectively induce impaired metabolic response to insulin, raising the possible involvement of alterations in Insulin-Receptor-Substrate (IRS) proteins. This study was conducted to assess whether oxidative stress induced IRS protein degradation and enhanced serine phosphorylation, and to assess their functional importance. METHODS: 3T3-L1 adipocytes and rat hepatoma cells (FAO) were exposed to micro-molar H(2)O(2) by adding glucose oxidase to the culture medium, and IRS1 content, its serine phosphorylation and downstream metabolic insulin effects were measured. RESULTS: Cells exposed to oxidative stress exhibited decreased IRS1 (but not IRS2) content, and increased serine phosphorylation of both proteins. Total protein ubiquitination was increased in oxidized cells, but not in cells exposed to prolonged insulin treatment. Yet, lactacystin and MG132, two unrelated proteasome inhibitors, prevented IRS1 degradation induced by prolonged insulin but not by oxidative stress. The PI 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002 and the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin, but not the MEK1 inhibitor PD98059, could prevent IRS1 changes in oxidized cells. Rapamycin, which protected against IRS1 degradation and serine phosphorylation was not associated with improved response to acute insulin stimulation. Moreover, the antioxidant alpha lipoic acid, while protecting against oxidative stress-induced insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, could not prevent IRS1 degradation and serine phosphorylation. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: Oxidative stress induces serine phosphorylation of IRS1 and increases its degradation by a proteasome-independent pathway; yet, these changes do not correlate with the induction of impaired metabolic response to insulin.     

肥胖小鼠脂肪组织缺氧对脂联素表达的转录抑制作用

目的观察缺氧对脂肪细胞脂联素mRNA和蛋白表达的影响,探讨肥胖小鼠脂肪组织缺氧导致脂肪组织脂联素表达下降的机制。方法采用实时定量聚合酶链反应（qRT—PCR）和蛋白免疫印迹法（Western blotting）检测遗传型肥胖小鼠（ob／ob,12周）和高脂饮食肥胖小鼠（HFD,53周）的附睾旁脂肪中脂联素mRNA和蛋白的表达;用小鼠3T3-L1脂肪细胞系为模型,采用RT—PCR和荧光素酶报告基因方法检测缺氧处理后脂联素和过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体（PPAR）-mRNA的表达和稳定性、脂联素启动子的活性;用Western blotting和荧光素酶报告基因检测缺氧对PPAR-γ在核蛋白中集聚以及PPAR-γ转录因子活性的影响。组间数据比较采用t检验。结果（1）缺氧时两种肥胖小鼠的脂肪组织中脂联素mRNA和蛋白的表达均显著下降（P〈0．01）;333-L1脂肪细胞系在缺氧8h和24h后,脂联素mRNA表达量分别下降至0．65±0．05和0．29±0．05,较对照组（1．00±0．04）明显降低,差异有统计学意义（t=11．548、24．893,均P〈0．01）,但缺氧对脂联素mRNA的稳定性并没有影响;荧光素酶报告基因方法表明,脂联素启动子的活性受到缺氧的抑制。（2）在两种肥胖小鼠的脂肪组织中,PPAR-γmRNA和蛋白的表达均明显下降（P〈0．01）;小鼠333-L1脂肪细胞系在缺氧8h和24h后,PPAR- γmRNA的表达量分别下降至0．72±0．09和0．54±0．07,与对照组（1．00±0．09）相比,差异有统计学意义（t：5．134、9．876,均P〈0．01）;PPAR一1蛋白的核转位以及PPAR一^y转录因子活性也受到缺氧的抑制。结论肥胖小鼠脂肪组织缺氧抑制了脂联素的表达,抑制作用可能发生在转录水平;其机制可能是通过抑制PPAR-γmRNA的表达和PPAR-γ转录因子的活性而实现的。     

Agent and cell-type specificity in the induction of insulin resistance by HIV protease inhibitors

OBJECTIVE: To test agent and cell-type specificity in insulin resistance induced by prolonged exposure to HIV protease inhibitors (HPI), and to assess its relation to the direct, short-term inhibition of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. METHODS: Following prolonged (18 h) and short (5-10 min) exposure to HPI, insulin-stimulated glucose transport, protein kinase B (PKB) phosphorylation, and GLUT4 translocation were evaluated in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, fibroblasts, L6 myotubes, and L6 cells overexpressing a myc tag on the first exofacial loop of GLUT4 or GLUT1. RESULTS: Prolonged exposure of 3T3-L1 adipocytes to nelfinavir, but not to indinavir or saquinavir, resulted in increased basal lipolysis but decreased insulin-stimulated glucose transport and PKB phosphorylation. In addition, impaired insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and PKB phosphorylation were also observed in the skeletal muscle cell line L6, and in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts. Interestingly, this coincided with increased basal glucose uptake as well as with elevated total-membrane glucose transporter GLUT1 protein content. In contrast to these unique effects of nelfinavir, the mere presence of any of the agents in the 5 min transport assay inhibited insulin-stimulated glucose-uptake activity. This appeared to be caused by direct and specific interaction of the drugs with GLUT4 fully assembled at the plasma membrane, since insulin-stimulated cell-surface exposure of an exofacial myc epitope on GLUT4 was normal. CONCLUSIONS: Independent mechanisms for HPI-induced insulin resistance exist: prolonged exposure to nelfinavir interferes with insulin signaling and alters cellular metabolism of adipocytes and muscle cells, whereas a direct inhibitory effect on insulin-stimulated glucose uptake may occurs through specific interaction of HPI with GLUT4.     

WIP is a chaperone for Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP)

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) is in a complex with WASP-interacting protein (WIP). WASP levels, but not mRNA levels, were severely diminished in T cells from WIP(-/-) mice and were increased by introduction of WIP in these cells. The WASP binding domain of WIP was shown to protect WASP from degradation by calpain in vitro. Treatment with the proteasome inhibitors MG132 and bortezomib increased WASP levels in T cells from WIP(-/-) mice and in T and B lymphocytes from two WAS patients with missense mutations (R86H and T45M) that disrupt WIP binding. The calpain inhibitor calpeptin increased WASP levels in activated T and B cells from the WASP patients, but not in primary T cells from the patients or from WIP(-/-) mice. Despite its ability to increase WASP levels proteasome inhibition did not correct the impaired IL-2 gene expression and low F-actin content in T cells from the R86H WAS patient. These results demonstrate that WIP stabilizes WASP and suggest that it may also be important for its function.     

Therapeutic proteasome inhibition in experimental acute pancreatitis

AIM: To establish the therapeutic potential of proteasome inhibition, we examined the therapeutic effects of MG132 (Z-Leu-Leu-Leu-aldehyde) in an experimental model of acute pancreatitis.METHODS: Pancreatitis was induced in rats by two hourly intraperitoneal (ip) injections of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK; 2 x 100 μg/kg) and the proteasome inhibitor MG132 (10 mg/kg ip) was administered 30 min after the second CCK injection. Animals were sacrificed 4 h after the first injection of CCK.RESULTS: Administering the proteasome inhibitor MG132 (at a dose of 10 mg/kg, ip) 90 min after the onset of pancreatic inflammation induced the expression of cell-protective 72 kDa heat shock protein (HSP72) and decreased DNA-binding of nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB). Furthermore MG132 treatment resulted in milder inflammatory response and cellular damage, as revealed by improved laboratory and histological parameters of pancreatitis and associated oxidative stress.CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that proteasome inhibition might be beneficial not only for the prevention, but also for the therapy of acute pancreatitis.     

葡萄糖和胰岛素对3T3-L1脂肪细胞内脏脂肪素mRNA表达的影响

目的研究不同浓度葡萄糖和胰岛素对3T3-L1脂肪细胞中内脏脂肪素（Visfatin）mRNA表达的影响。方法通过real—time RT-PCR方法检测不同浓度葡萄糖和胰岛素培养下3T3-L1脂肪细胞Visfatin mRNA的表达。结果葡萄糖增加了3T3-L1脂肪细胞Visfatin mRNA的表达;胰岛素降低其表达。结论葡萄糖和胰岛素对3T3-L1脂肪细胞中Visfatin mRNA的表达有凋控作用。     

Annexin II is a thiazolidinedione-responsive gene involved in insulin-induced glucose transporter isoform 4 translocation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

The target genes of peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor-gamma ligands that lead to insulin sensitization are not fully understood. In this study, we have found that the thiazolidinedione, troglitazone, increases expression of annexin II at both the mRNA and protein levels, raising the possibility that annexin II plays a role in insulin-stimulated glucose transporter isoform 4 (GLUT4) translocation and glucose transport. To assess this, we microinjected annexin II antibody or annexin II small interfering RNA into 3T3-L1 adipocytes and found that insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation was inhibited by 54 and 60%, respectively. Furthermore, microinjection of annexin II antibody inhibited constitutively active Galphaq (Q209L-Galphaq)-induced but not osmotic shock-induced GLUT4 translocation. When cells were cotransfected with wild-type annexin II, along with an enhanced green fluorescent protein-cmyc-GLUT4 construct, and the percentage of cells expressing cmyc-GLUT4 at the cell surface was measured by immunofluorescence microscopy, there was a marked increase in the ability of insulin to stimulate recruitment of cmyc-GLUT4 protein to the cell surface. In summary, our results show that annexin II is a newly described thiazolidinedione response gene involved in insulin-induced GLUT4 translocation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.     

The effect of proteasome inhibitors on mammalian erythroid terminal differentiation

OBJECTIVES: Murine erythroblasts infected with the anemia-inducing strain of Friend virus (FVA cells) terminally differentiate to the reticulocyte stage after 48 hours of culture in vitro in response to erythropoietin (EPO). The objective of this study was to determine the possible role of proteasome-mediated proteolysis during the terminal differentiation of FVA cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The proteasome inhibitors MG132 and lactacystin were used to perturb the normal function of proteasomes during terminal differentiation. Effects of proteasome inhibitors on terminal differentiation were quantitated by evaluation of cellular morphology after benzidine staining and by Western blot analyses. RESULTS: Treatment of EPO-stimulated FVA cells with lactacystin or MG132 at later periods of culture increased accumulations of nuclear and cytosolic ubiquitinated proteins and decreased nuclear extrusion to less than 40% of controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the proteasomal degradation of ubiquitinated proteins plays an important role in the enucleation of mammalian erythroblasts.     

Nitric oxide stimulates glucose transport through insulin-independent GLUT4 translocation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

OBJECTIVE: It is well known that nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is expressed and that it modulates glucose transport in skeletal muscles. Recent studies have shown that adipose tIssues also express inducible and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). In the present study, we investigated whether nitric oxide (NO) induces glucose uptake in adipocytes, and the signaling pathway involved in the NO-stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. METHODS: First, we determined the expression of eNOS in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and then these cells were treated with the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and/or insulin, and glucose uptake and phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 and Akt were evaluated. Moreover, we examined the effects of a NO scavenger, a guanylate cyclase inhibitor or dexamethasone on SNP-stimulated glucose uptake and GLUT4 translocation. RESULTS: SNP at a concentration of 50 mmol/l increased 2-deoxyglucose uptake (1.8-fold) without phosphorylation of IRS-1 and Akt. Treatment with the NO scavenger or guanylate cyclase inhibitor decreased SNP-stimulated glucose uptake to the basal level. Dexamethasone reduced both insulin- and SNP-stimulated glucose uptake with impairment of GLUT4 translocation. CONCLUSION: NO is capable of stimulating glucose transport through GLUT4 translocation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, via a mechanism different from the insulin signaling pathway.     

In vitro aging of 3T3-L1 mouse adipocytes leads to altered metabolism and response to inflammation

We used an in vitro model to evaluate the effects of cellular aging and inflammation on the gene expression and protein secretion profiles of adipocytes. 3T3-L1 mouse preadipocytes were cultured according to standard conditions and analyzed at different time points both at the basal state and after an acute stimulation with LPS. The mRNA levels of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP)α, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ and S100A1 were maximal during adipocyte differentiation and then significantly decreased. The expression of the GLUT4 and IRS-1 genes peaked during differentiation and then decreased in aged cells. The mRNA levels and secretion of adiponectin, quickly rose as adipocytes matured and then declined. The mRNA levels of IL6, as well as its secretion, increased as preadipocytes matured and became old cells; a similar trend was also found for MCP-1. LPS decreased the mRNA levels of C/EBPα and PPARγ at all time points, as well as those of GLUT4, IRS-1 and adiponectin. LPS significantly increased the mRNA levels of IL-6, as well as its secretion, with a similar trend also observed for MCP-1. These data suggest that aging adipocytes in vitro show a decline in pro-adipogenic signals, in genes involved in glucose metabolism and cytoskeleton maintenance and in adiponectin. These changes are paralleled by an increase in inflammatory cytokines; inflammation seems to mimic and amplify the effects of cellular aging on adipocytes.     

游离脂肪酸诱导3T3-L1脂肪细胞胰岛素抵抗的分子机制

目的研究游离脂肪酸（FFA）对3T3-L1脂肪细胞IKKβ及胰岛素信号转导蛋白的影响,探讨FFA诱导胰岛素抵抗（IR）的分子机制。方法诱导成熟的3T3-L1脂肪细胞与0.3-1.0mmol/L的软脂酸（PA）培养6-24h,以2-脱氧-〔^3H〕-D-葡萄糖摄入法观察葡萄糖的转运率,用Western blot检测IKKβ蛋白、IKKβ Ser181磷酸化、IRS-1蛋白、IRS-1 Ser307磷酸化、PI3Kp85蛋白及GluT4蛋白的表达。结果0.3-1.0mmol/LPA作用6-24h后,3T3-L1脂肪细胞的葡萄糖消耗明显减少,同时,Western blot显示,PA对IKKβ及GluT4蛋白的表达无明显影响,却能明显增加IKKβ Ser181及IRS-1 Ser307磷酸化,同时减少IRS-1蛋白和PI3Kp85蛋白的表达。结论FFA可以诱导IR,其分子机制可能与FFA激活IKKβ,使IRS-1丝氨酸残基磷酸化增加而酪氨酸残基磷酸化减少,进而使其下游的PI-3Kp85蛋白表达减少抑制葡萄糖转运有关。