Analysis of the SGLT2-independent off-target dapagliflozin activity using model organism Caenorhabditis elegans
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ABSTRACT: Flozins, an emerging class of antidiabetic agents, selectively target the SGLT2 sodium/glucose cotransporter in the renal proximal tubule, thereby preventing glucose reabsorption and reducing hyperglycemia. Beyond their primary glucose-lowering mechanism, flozins exhibit significant benefits for heart failure and chronic kidney disease. This expanded therapeutic utility is noteworthy, particularly given the absence of SGLT2 expression in the cardiac tissue. Hereby we utilized Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism to analyze flozin off-target activity, specifically by dapagliflozin treatment. Although C. elegans lacks direct SGLT2 orthologue, dapagliflozin remarkably mirrored observations in murine models, specifically demonstrating prolonged longevity in glucose-fed conditions. Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis of glucose- and dapagliflozin-treated worms, compared to glucose-only treated controls, revealed a gene expression profile reminiscent of mammalian systems. In line with this, we also observed that dapagliflozin inhibits glucose transport in C. elegans in vivo, as estimated using fluorescent glucose derivative 2-NBDG. Moreover, 2-NBDG transport inhibition by dapagliflozin was abrogated by downregulation of smvt-1 (sodium-dependent MultiVitamin Transporter) expression. This suggested that SMVT-1 is relevant dapagliflozin target in the worm.
ORGANISM(S): Caenorhabditis elegans
PROVIDER: GSE307680 | GEO | 2026/09/01
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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