Project description:Mitochondrial quality control failure is frequently observed in neurodegenerative diseases. The detection of damaged mitochondria by stabilization of PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) requires transport of Pink1 mRNA by tethering it to the mitochondrial surface. Here, we report that inhibition of AMPK by activation of the insulin signaling cascade prevents Pink1 mRNA binding to mitochondria. Mechanistically, AMPK phosphorylates the RNA anchor complex subunit SYNJ2BP within its PDZ domain, a phosphorylation site that is necessary for its interaction with the RNA-binding protein SYNJ2. Interestingly, loss of mitochondrial Pink1 mRNA association upon insulin addition is required for PINK1 protein activation and its function as a ubiquitin kinase in the mitophagy pathway, thus placing PINK1 function under metabolic control. Induction of insulin-resistance in vitro by the key genetic Alzheimer-risk factor apolipoprotein E4 retains Pink1 mRNA at the mitochondria and prevents proper PINK1 activity especially in neurites. Our results thus identify a metabolic switch controlling Pink1 mRNA localization and PINK1 activity via insulin and AMPK signaling in neurons and propose a mechanistic connection between insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Project description:Insulin resistance drives the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D). In liver, diacylglycerol (DAG) is a key mediator of lipid-induced insulin resistance. DAG activates protein kinase C epsilon (PKCε), which phosphorylates and inhibits the insulin receptor. In rats, a 3-day high fat diet produces hepatic insulin resistance through this mechanism, and knockdown of hepatic PKCε protects against high fat diet-induced hepatic insulin resistance. Here we employ a systems level approach to uncover additional signaling pathways involved in high fat diet-induced hepatic insulin resistance. We used quantitative phosphoproteomics to map global in vivo changes in hepatic protein phosphorylation in chow-fed, high fat-fed, and high fat-fed with PKCε knockdown rats to distinguish the impact of lipid- and PKCε-induced protein phosphorylation.
Project description:Notch signaling regulates cell-fate decisions in several developmental processes and cell functions. However, a role for Notch in hepatic thrombopoietin (TPO) production remains unclear. We noted thrombocytopenia in mice with hepatic Notch1 deficiency, and so investigated TPO production and other features of platelets in these mice. We found that the liver ultrastructure and hepatocyte function were comparable between control mice and Notch1-deficient mice. However, the Notch1-deficient mice had significantly lower plasma TPO and hepatic TPO mRNA levels, concomitant with lower numbers of platelets and impaired megakaryocyte differentiation and maturation, which were rescued by addition of exogenous TPO. Additionally, JAK2/STAT3 phosphorylation was significantly inhibited in Notch1-deficient hepatocytes, consistent with the RNA-seq analysis. JAK2/STAT3 phosphorylation and TPO production was also impaired in cultured Notch1-deficient hepatocytes after treatment with desialylated platelets. Consistently, hepatocyte-specific Notch1 deletion inhibited JAK2/STAT3 phosphorylation and hepatic TPO production induced by administration of desialylated platelets in vivo. Interestingly, Notch1 deficiency downregulated the expression of HES5 but not HES1. Moreover, desialylated platelets promoted the binding of HES5 to JAK2/STAT3, leading to JAK2/STAT3 phosphorylation and pathway activation in hepatocytes. Hepatocyte Ashwell-Morell receptor (AMR) (asialoglycoprotein receptor 1, ASGR1) physically associates with Notch1 and inhibition of AMR impaired Notch1 signaling activation and hepatic TPO production. Furthermore, blockage of Dll4 on desialylated platelets inhibited hepatocyte Notch1 activation and HES5 expression, JAK2/STAT3 phosphorylation and subsequent TPO production. In conclusion, our study identifies a novel regulatory role of Notch1 in hepatic TPO production, indicating that it might be a target for modulating TPO level.
Project description:This data set was downloaded from MetaboLights (http://www.ebi.ac.uk/metabolights/) accession number MTBLS582 Abstract:Obesity is tightly linked to hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance. One feature of this association is the paradox of selective insulin resistance: insulin fails to suppress hepatic gluconeogenesis but activates lipid synthesis in the liver. How lipid accumulation interferes selectively with some branches of hepatic insulin signaling is not well understood. Here we provide a resource, based on unbiased approaches and established in a simple cell culture system, to enable investigations of the phenomenon of selective insulin resistance. We analyzed the phosphoproteome of insulin treated human hepatoma cells and identified sites in which palmitate selectively impairs insulin signaling. As an example, we show that palmitate interferes with insulin signaling to FoxO1, a key transcription factor regulating gluconeogenesis, and identify a possible mechanism. This model system, together with our comprehensive characterization of the proteome, phosphoproteome, and lipidome changes in response to palmitate treatment, provides a novel and useful resource for unraveling the mechanisms underlying selective insulin resistance.
Project description:The liver immune microenvironment is a key element in the development of hepatic inflammation in NAFLD. However, the precise immune cell subsets that exacerbate fatty liver remain elusive. ApoA4 deficiency increases the hepatic lipid burden, insulin resistance, and metabolic inflammation. The aim of this study was to profile the hepatic immune cells affected by ApoA4 in NAFL. We performed scRNA-seq on liver immune cells from WT and ApoA4-deficient mice administered a high-fat diet.
Project description:Deoxyhypusine synthase (DHPS) utilizes the polyamine spermidine to catalyze the hypusine modification of the mRNA translation factor eIF5A and promotes oncogenesis through poorly-defined mechanisms. Because germline deletion of Dhps is embryonically lethal, its role in normal postnatal cellular function in vivo remains unknown. We generated a mouse model that allows for inducible, postnatal deletion of Dhps specifically in postnatal islet β cells, which function to maintain glucose homeostasis. Removal of Dhps did not have an effect under normal physiologic conditions. However, upon development of insulin resistance, which induces β-cell proliferation, Dhps deletion caused alterations in proteins required for mRNA translation, reduced production of the cell cycle molecule Cyclin D2, impaired β-cell proliferation, and overt diabetes. We found that hypusine biosynthesis was downstream of protein kinase C-ζ and was required for c-Myc-induced proliferation. Our studies reveal a requirement for DHPS in β cells to link polyamines to mRNA translation to effect facultative cellular proliferation and glucose homeostasis.
Project description:: Deoxyhypusine synthase (DHPS) utilizes the polyamine spermidine to catalyze the hypusine modification of the mRNA translation factor eIF5A and promotes oncogenesis through poorly-defined mechanisms. Because germline deletion of Dhps is embryonically lethal, its role in normal postnatal cellular function in vivo remains unknown. We generated a mouse model that allows for inducible, postnatal deletion of Dhps specifically in postnatal islet β cells, which function to maintain glucose homeostasis. Removal of Dhps did not have an effect under normal physiologic conditions. However, upon development of insulin resistance, which induces β-cell proliferation, Dhps deletion caused alterations in proteins required for mRNA translation, reduced production of the cell cycle molecule Cyclin D2, impaired β-cell proliferation, and overt diabetes. We found that hypusine biosynthesis was downstream of protein kinase C-ζ and was required for c-Myc-induced proliferation. Our studies reveal a requirement for DHPS in β cells to link polyamines to mRNA translation to effect facultative cellular proliferation and glucose homeostasis.
Project description:Obesity is tightly linked to hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance. One feature of this association is the paradox of selective insulin resistance: insulin fails to suppress hepatic gluconeogenesis but activates lipid synthesis in the liver. How lipid accumulation interferes selectively with some branches of hepatic insulin signaling is not well understood. Here we provide a resource, based on unbiased approaches and established in a simple cell culture system, to enable investigations of the phenomenon of selective insulin resistance. We analyzed the phosphoproteome of insulin-treated human hepatoma cells and identified sites in which palmitate selectively impairs insulin signaling. As an example, we show that palmitate interferes with insulin signaling to FoxO1, a key transcription factor regulating gluconeogenesis, and identify a possible mechanism. This model system, together with our comprehensive characterization of the proteome, phosphoproteome, and lipidome changes in response to palmitate treatment, provides a novel and useful resource for unraveling the mechanisms underlying selective insulin resistance.
Project description:We have previously shown that total estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha knockout (KO) mice exhibit hepatic insulin resistance. To investigate the contribution of hepatic ERalpha action for the observed phenotype, we established a liver-selective ERalphaKO mouse model, LERKO. We demonstrate that LERKO mice have efficient reduction of ERalpha selectively within the liver. However, LERKO and wild type control mice do not differ in body weight, and have a comparable hormone profile as well as insulin and glucose response, even when challenged with a high fat diet. Furthermore, LERKO mice display very minor changes in their hepatic transcript profile. Collectively, our findings indicate that hepatic ERalpha action may not be the initiating factor for the previously identified hepatic insulin resistance in ERalphaKO mice. We have previously shown that total estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha knockout (KO) mice exhibit hepatic insulin resistance. To investigate the contribution of hepatic ERalpha action for the observed phenotype, we established a liver-selective ERalphaKO mouse model, LERKO. Using microarray analysis, we compared the hepatic transcriptional profile of LERKO vs control mice.
Project description:PGC1beta is a transcriptional coactivator that potently stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis and respiration of cells. Here, we have generated mice lacking exons 3 to 4 of the Pgc1beta gene (PGC1beta E3,4-/E3,4- mice). These mice express a mutant protein that has reduced coactivation activity on a subset of transcription factors, including ERRalpha, a major target of PGC1beta in the induction of mitochondrial gene expression. The mutant mice have reduced expression of OXPHOS genes and mitochondrial dysfunction in liver and skeletal muscle as well as elevated liver triglycerides. Euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp and insulin signaling studies show that PGC1beta mutant mice have normal skeletal muscle response to insulin, but have hepatic insulin resistance. These results demonstrate that PGC1beta is required for normal expression of OXPHOS genes and mitochondrial function in liver and skeletal muscle. Importantly, these abnormalities do not cause insulin resistance in skeletal muscle but cause substantially reduced insulin action in the liver. Keywords: Liver and quadricpes muscle gene expression, WT vs. PGC1beta mutant