Dae-Kyu Song

Effects of Recombinant Adenovirus-Mediated Uncoupling Protein 2 Overexpression on Endothelial Function and Apoptosis

Increased oxidative stress in vascular cells plays a key role in the development of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is an important regulator of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that, UCP2 functions as an inhibitor of the atherosclerotic process in endothelial cells. Adenovirus-mediated UCP2 (Ad-UCP2) overexpression led to a significant increase in endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and decrease in endothelin-1 mRNA expression in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). Moreover, UCP2 inhibited the increase in ROS production and NF-&kgr;B activation, and apoptosis of HAECs induced by lysophophatidylcholine (LPC) and linoleic acid. LPC and linoleic acid caused mitochondrial calcium accumulation and transient mitochondrial membrane hyperpolarization, which was followed by depolarization. UCP2 overexpression prevented these processes. In isolated rat aorta, Ad-UCP2 infection markedly improved impaired vascular relaxation induced by LPC. The data collectively suggest that UCP2, functions as a physiologic regulator of ROS generation in endothelial cells. Thus, measures to increase UCP2 expression in vascular endothelial cells may aid in preventing the development and progression of atherosclerosis in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Glimepiride block of cloned β-cell, cardiac and smooth muscle KATP channels

We examined the effect of the sulphonylurea glimepiride on three types of recombinant ATP‐sensitive potassium (KATP) channels. KATP channels share a common pore‐forming subunit, Kir6.2, which associates with different sulphonylurea receptor isoforms (SUR1 in β‐cells, SUR2A in heart and SUR2B in smooth muscle). Kir6.2 was coexpressed with SUR1, SUR2A or SUR2B in Xenopus oocytes and macroscopic KATP currents were recorded from giant inside‐out membrane patches. Glimepiride was added to the intracellular membrane surface. Glimepiride inhibited Kir6.2/SUR currents by interaction with two sites: a low‐affinity site on Kir6.2 (IC50=∼400 μM) and a high‐affinity site on SUR (IC50=3.0 nM for SUR1, 5.4 nM for SUR2A and 7.3 nM for SUR2B). The potency of glimepiride at the high‐affinity site is close to that observed for glibenclamide (4 nM for SUR1, 27 nM for SUR2A), which has a similar structure. Glimepiride inhibition of Kir6.2/SUR2A and Kir6.2/SUR2B currents, but not Kir6.2/SUR1 currents, reversed rapidly. Our results indicate that glimepiride is a high‐affinity sulphonylurea that does not select between the β‐cell, cardiac and smooth muscle types of recombinant KATP channel, when measured in inside‐out patches. High‐affinity inhibition is mediated by interaction of the drug with the sulphonylurea receptor subunit of the channel.

Glucose Deprivation Regulates KATP Channel Trafficking via AMP-Activated Protein Kinase in Pancreatic β-Cells

OBJECTIVE AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and the ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channel are metabolic sensors that become activated during metabolic stress. AMPK is an important regulator of metabolism, whereas the KATP channel is a regulator of cellular excitability. Cross talk between these systems is poorly understood. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Rat pancreatic β-cells or INS-1 cells were pretreated for 2 h at various concentrations of glucose. Maximum KATP conductance (Gmax) was monitored by whole-cell measurements after intracellular ATP washout using ATP-free internal solutions. KATP channel activity (NPo) was monitored by inside-out patch recordings in the presence of diazoxide. Distributions of KATP channel proteins (Kir6.2 and SUR1) were examined using immunofluorescence imaging and surface biotinylation studies. Insulin secretion from rat pancreatic islets was measured using an enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS Gmax and NPo in cells pretreated with glucose-free or 3 mmol/l glucose solutions were significantly higher than in cells pretreated in 11.1 mmol/l glucose solutions. Immunofluorescence imaging and biotinylation studies revealed that glucose deprivation induced an increase in the surface level of Kir6.2 without affecting the total cellular amount. Increases in Gmax and the surface level of Kir6.2 were inhibited by compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, and siAMPK transfection. The effects of glucose deprivation on KATP channels were mimicked by an AMPK activator. Glucose deprivation reduced insulin secretion, but this response was attenuated by compound C. CONCLUSIONS KATP channel trafficking is regulated by energy status via AMPK, and this mechanism may play a key role in inhibiting insulin secretion under low energy status.

Sanguinarine induces apoptosis in A549 human lung cancer cells primarily via cellular glutathione depletion

Sanguinarine is a plant-derived benzophenanthridine alkaloid and has been shown to possess anti-tumor activities against various cancer cells. In this study, we investigated whether sanguinarine induces apoptosis in A549 human lung cancer cells. Treatment of A549 cells with sanguinarine induced apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Treatment with sanguinarine led to activation of caspases and MAPKs as well as increased MKP-1 expression. Importantly, pretreatment with z-VAD-fmk, a pan caspase inhibitor suppressed the sanguinarine-induced apoptosis in A549 cells. Moreover, pretreatment with NAC, a sulfhydryl group-containing reducing agent strongly suppressed the apoptotic response and caspase activation to sanguinarine. However, the sanguinarine-mediated cytotoxicity in A549 cells was not protected by pharmacological inhibition of MAPKs or MKP-1 siRNA-mediated knockdown of MKP-1. These results collectively suggest that sanguinarine induces apoptosis in A549 cells through cellular glutathione depletion and the subsequent caspase activation.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor rapidly potentiates synaptic transmission through NMDA, but suppresses it through non-NMDA receptors in rat hippocampal neuron.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) rapidly enhances synaptic transmission among the hippocampal neurons. In order to examine which component of glutamate receptors participates in synaptic potentiation by BDNF, we have studied the effect of glutamate antagonists on excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) enhanced by BDNF, using cultured embryonic hippocampal neurons. In the presence of AP5, a N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, BDNF depressed the EPSCs. In contrast, BDNF enhanced the EPSCs in the presence of a non-NMDA antagonist CNQX. Our results suggest that BDNF acutely activates synaptic transmission via NMDA, but suppresses it via non-NMDA receptors in the hippocampus.

(-)-Epigallocatechin gallate attenuates glutamate-induced cytotoxicity via intracellular Ca2+ modulation in PC12 cells

1. The effects of (–)‐epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a green tea polyphenol, on glutamate‐induced increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) and cytotoxicity in PC12 cells were investigated.

Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Enhances Glucokinase Activity in Pancreatic β-Cells through the Association of Epac2 with Rim2 and Rab3A

Glucokinase (GK), which phosphorylates D-glucose, is a major glucose sensor in β-cells for glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) and is a promising new drug target for type 2 diabetes (T2D). In T2D, pancreatic β-cells exhibit defective glucose sensitivity, which leads to impaired GSIS. Although glucagon-like peptide-1-(7-36)-amide (GLP-1) is known to enhance β-cell glucose sensitivity, the effect of GLP-1 on GK activity is still unknown. The present study demonstrated that GLP-1 pretreatment for 30 min significantly enhanced GK activity in a glucose-dependent manner, with a lower Michaelis-Menten constant (K(m)) but unchanged maximal velocity (V(max)). Thus, GLP-1 acutely enhanced cellular glucose uptake, mitochondrial membrane potential, and cellular ATP levels in response to glucose in rat INS-1 and native β-cells. This effect of GLP-1 occurred via its G protein-coupled receptor pathway in a cAMP-dependent but protein kinase A-independent manner with evidence of exchange protein activated by cAMP (Epac) involvement. Silencing Epac2, interacting molecule of the small G protein Rab3 (Rim2), or Ras-associated protein Rab3A (Rab3A) significantly blocked the effect of GLP-1. These results suggested that GLP-1 can further potentiate GSIS by enhancing GK activity through the signaling of Epac2 to Rim2 and Rab3A, which is the similar pathway for GLP-1 to potentiate Ca(2+)-dependent insulin granule exocytosis. The present finding may also be an important mechanism of GLP-1 for recovery of GSIS in T2D.

Role of Epac2A/Rap1 Signaling in Interplay Between Incretin and Sulfonylurea in Insulin Secretion

Incretin-related drugs and sulfonylureas are currently used worldwide for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. We recently found that Epac2A, a cAMP binding protein having guanine nucleotide exchange activity toward Rap, is a target of both incretin and sulfonylurea. This suggests the possibility of interplay between incretin and sulfonylurea through Epac2A/Rap1 signaling in insulin secretion. In this study, we examined the combinatorial effects of incretin and various sulfonylureas on insulin secretion and activation of Epac2A/Rap1 signaling. A strong augmentation of insulin secretion by combination of GLP-1 and glibenclamide or glimepiride, which was found in Epac2A+/+ mice, was markedly reduced in Epac2A−/− mice. In contrast, the combinatorial effect of GLP-1 and gliclazide was rather mild, and the effect was not altered by Epac2A ablation. Activation of Rap1 was enhanced by the combination of an Epac-selective cAMP analog with glibenclamide or glimepiride but not gliclazide. In diet-induced obese mice, ablation of Epac2A reduced the insulin secretory response to coadministration of the GLP-1 receptor agonist liraglutide and glimepiride. These findings clarify the critical role of Epac2A/Rap1 signaling in the augmenting effect of incretin and sulfonylurea on insulin secretion and provide the basis for the effects of combination therapies of incretin-related drugs and sulfonylureas.

Melatonin ameliorates ER stress-mediated hepatic steatosis through miR-23a in the liver.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induces hepatic steatosis and inflammation in the liver. Although melatonin ameliorates ER stress-target genes, it remains unknown whether melatonin protects against hepatic steatosis as well as inflammation through regulation of miRNA. MicroRNAs have been identified as pivotal regulators in the field of gene regulation and their dysfunctions are a common feature in a variety of metabolic diseases. Especially, among miRNAs, miR-23a has been shown to regulate ER stress. Herein, we investigated the crucial roles of melatonin in hepatic steatosis and inflammation in vivo. Tunicamycin challenge caused increase of hepatic triglyceride and intracellular calcium levels through activation of ER stress, whereas these phenomena were partially disrupted by melatonin. We also demonstrated that expression of miR-23a stimulated with tunicamycin was rescued by melatonin treatment, resulting in reduced ER stress in primary hepatocytes. Overall, these results suggest a new function of melatonin that is involved in ameliorating ER stress-induced hepatic steatosis and inflammation by attenuating miR-23a. Melatonin may be useful as a pharmacological agent to protect against hepatic metabolic diseases due to its ability to regulate expression of miR-23a.

Polyphenol (-)-Epigallocatechin Gallate during Ischemia Limits Infarct Size Via Mitochondrial KATP Channel Activation in Isolated Rat Hearts

Polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the most abundant catechin of green tea, appears to attenuate myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. We investigated the involvement of ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels in EGCG-induced cardioprotection. Isolated rat hearts were subjected to 30 min of regional ischemia and 2 hr of reperfusion. EGCG was perfused for 40 min, from 10 min before to the end of index ischemia. A nonselective KATP channel blocker glibenclamide (GLI) and a selective mitochondrial KATP (mKATP) channel blocker 5-hydroxydecanoate (HD) were perfused in EGCG-treated hearts. There were no differences in coronary flow and cardiodynamics including heart rate, left ventricular developed pressure, rate-pressure product, +dP/dtmax, and -dP/dtmin throughout the experiments among groups. EGCG-treatment significantly reduced myocardial infarction (14.5±2.5% in EGCG 1 µM and 4.0±1.7% in EGCG 10 µM, P<0.001 vs. control 27.2±1.4%). This anti-infarct effect was totally abrogated by 10 µM GLI (24.6±1.5%, P<0.001 vs. EGCG). Similarly, 100 µM HD also aborted the anti-infarct effect of EGCG (24.1±1.2%, P<0.001 vs. EGCG ). These data support a role for the KATP channels in EGCG-induced cardioprotection. The mKATP channels play a crucial role in the cardioprotection by EGCG.