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Increased SRF Transcriptional Activity is a Novel Signature of Insulin Resistance in Humans and Mice

ABSTRACT: Insulin resistance in skeletal muscle is a key phenotype associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and is even present in offspring of diabetic parents. However, molecular mediators of insulin resistance remain unclear. We find that the top-ranking gene set in expression analysis of muscle from humans with T2D and normoglycemic insulin resistant subjects with parental family history (FH+) of T2D is increased expression of actin cytoskeleton genes regulated by serum response factor (SRF) and its coactivator MKL1. Furthermore, the SRF activator STARS is upregulated in FH+ and T2D and inversely correlated with insulin sensitivity. These patterns are recapitulated in insulin resistant mice, and linked to alterations in two other regulators of this pathway: reduced G-actin and increased nuclear localization of MKL1. Both genetic and pharmacologic manipulation of STARS/MKL1/SRF pathway significantly alter insulin action: 1) Overexpression of MKL1 or reduction in G-actin decreased insulin-stimulated Akt phosphorylation; 2) reduced STARS expression increased insulin signalling and glucose uptake, and 3) SRF inhibition by CCG-1423 reduced nuclear MKL1, improved glucose uptake, and improved glucose tolerance in insulin resistant mice in vivo. Thus, SRF pathway alterations are a signature of insulin resistance which may also contribute to T2D pathogenesis and be a novel therapeutic target.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE25462 | GEO | 2011/03/01

SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA134597

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is characterized by impaired cytoskeleton organization, cytosolic calcium handling oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. This results in progressive and fatal muscle damage, wasting and weakness. The Striated Muscle activator of Rho signalling (STARS) is an actin binding protein that activates the myocardin-related transcription factor-A (MRTFA)/serum response factor (SRF) transcriptional pathway; a pathway that regulates cytoskeletal structure, muscle function, growth and repair. Here we investigated the regulation of several members of the STARS signalling pathway in muscle from patients with DMD and the dystrophin-deficient mdx and dko (utrophin‐ and dystrophin‐null) mice. A reduction in protein levels of STARS, SRF and RHOA, and an increase in MRTFA were observed in quadriceps muscle of patients with DMD. STARS, SRF and MRTFA mRNA levels were also decreased in DMD muscle, while Stars mRNA levels were decreased in mdx tibialis anterior (TA) muscle and Srf and Mrtfa mRNAs were decreased in dko TA muscle. Overexpressing the human STARS (hSTARS) protein in mdx TA muscle increased maximal isometric specific force by 13%. This was not associated with changes in muscle mass, fibre cross-sectional area (CSA), fibre type, centralized nuclei or collagen deposition. Proteomics screening identified 31 upregulated and 22 downregulated proteins or individual peptides that were significantly regulated by hSTARS overexpression. Pathway enrichment analysis indicated that hSTARS overexpression regulated the keratin, NRF2 and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathways. These pathways are impaired in dystrophic muscle and regulate cytoskeleton organization, oxidative stress and mitochondrial energy production; processes that are vital for muscle function. We conclude that increasing the STARS protein in dystrophic muscle improves muscle force production, potentially via its regulation of multiple pathways that positively influence cytoskeletal structure, oxidative stress and energy production.

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Increased SRF Transcriptional Activity is a Novel Signature of Insulin Resistance in Humans and Mice

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