Liangyou Rui

Recent advances in understanding leptin signaling and leptin resistance

The brain controls energy homeostasis and body weight by integrating various metabolic signals. Leptin, an adipose-derived hormone, conveys critical information about peripheral energy storage and availability to the brain. Leptin decreases body weight by both suppressing appetite and promoting energy expenditure. Leptin directly targets hypothalamic neurons, including AgRP and POMC neurons. These leptin-responsive neurons widely connect to other neurons in the brain, forming a sophisticated neurocircuitry that controls energy intake and expenditure. The anorexigenic actions of leptin are mediated by LEPRb, the long form of the leptin receptor, in the hypothalamus. LEPRb activates both JAK2-dependent and -independent pathways, including the STAT3, PI 3-kinase, MAPK, AMPK, and mTOR pathways. These pathways act coordinately to form a network that fully mediates leptin response. LEPRb signaling is regulated by both positive (e.g., SH2B1) and negative (e.g., SOCS3 and PTP1B) regulators and by endoplasmic reticulum stress. Leptin resistance, a primary risk factor for obesity, likely results from impairment in leptin transport, LEPRb signaling, and/or the neurocircuitry of energy balance.

Identification of SH2-Bbeta as a substrate of the tyrosine kinase JAK2 involved in growth hormone signaling.

Activation of the tyrosine kinase JAK2 is an essential step in cellular signaling by growth hormone (GH) and multiple other hormones and cytokines. Murine JAK2 has a total of 49 tyrosines which, if phosphorylated, could serve as docking sites for Src homology 2 (SH2) or phosphotyrosine binding domain-containing signaling molecules. Using a yeast two-hybrid screen of a rat adipocyte cDNA library, we identified a splicing variant of the SH2 domain-containing protein SH2-B, designated SH2-Bbeta, as a JAK2-interacting protein. The carboxyl terminus of SH2-Bbeta (SH2-Bbetac), which contains the SH2 domain, specifically interacts with kinase-active, tyrosyl-phosphorylated JAK2 but not kinase-inactive, unphosphorylated JAK2 in the yeast two-hybrid system. In COS cells coexpressing SH2-Bbeta or SH2-Bbetac and murine JAK2, both SH2-Bbetac and SH2-Bbeta coimmunoprecipitate to a significantly greater extent with wild-type, tyrosyl-phosphorylated JAK2 than with kinase-inactive, unphosphorylated JAK2. SH2-Bbetac also binds to immunoprecipitated wild-type but not kinase-inactive JAK2 in a far Western blot. In 3T3-F442A cells, GH stimulates the interaction of SH2-Bbeta with tyrosyl-phosphorylated JAK2 both in vitro, as assessed by binding of JAK2 in cell lysates to glutathione S-transferase (GST)-SH2-Bbetac or GST-SH2-Bbeta fusion proteins, and in vivo, as assessed by coimmunoprecipitation of JAK2 with SH2-Bbeta. GH promoted a transient and dose-dependent tyrosyl phosphorylation of SH2-Bbeta in 3T3-F442A cells, further suggesting the involvement of SH2-Bbeta in GH signaling. Consistent with SH2-Bbeta being a substrate of JAK2, SH2-Bbetac is tyrosyl phosphorylated when coexpressed with wild-type but not kinase-inactive JAK2 in both yeast and COS cells. SH2-Bbeta was also tyrosyl phosphorylated in response to gamma interferon, a cytokine that activates JAK2 and JAK1. These data suggest that GH-induced activation and phosphorylation of JAK2 recruits SH2-Bbeta and its associated signaling molecules into a GHR-JAK2 complex, thereby initiating some as yet unidentified signal transduction pathways. These pathways are likely to be shared by other cytokines that activate JAK2.

Neuronal SH2B1 is essential for controlling energy and glucose homeostasis

SH2B1 (previously named SH2-B), a cytoplasmic adaptor protein, binds via its Src homology 2 (SH2) domain to a variety of protein tyrosine kinases, including JAK2 and the insulin receptor. SH2B1-deficient mice are obese and diabetic. Here we demonstrated that multiple isoforms of SH2B1 (alpha, beta, gamma, and/or delta) were expressed in numerous tissues, including the brain, hypothalamus, liver, muscle, adipose tissue, heart, and pancreas. Rat SH2B1beta was specifically expressed in neural tissue in SH2B1-transgenic (SH2B1(Tg)) mice. SH2B1(Tg) mice were crossed with SH2B1-knockout (SH2B1(KO)) mice to generate SH2B1(TgKO) mice expressing SH2B1 only in neural tissue but not in other tissues. Systemic deletion of the SH2B1 gene resulted in metabolic disorders in SH2B1(KO) mice, including hyperlipidemia, leptin resistance, hyperphagia, obesity, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and glucose intolerance. Neuron-specific restoration of SH2B1beta not only corrected the metabolic disorders in SH2B1(TgKO) mice, but also improved JAK2-mediated leptin signaling and leptin regulation of orexigenic neuropeptide expression in the hypothalamus. Moreover, neuron-specific overexpression of SH2B1 dose-dependently protected against high-fat diet-induced leptin resistance and obesity. These observations suggest that neuronal SH2B1 regulates energy balance, body weight, peripheral insulin sensitivity, and glucose homeostasis at least in part by enhancing hypothalamic leptin sensitivity.

Abrogation of hepatic ATP-citrate lyase protects against fatty liver and ameliorates hyperglycemia in leptin receptor-deficient mice.

Hepatic steatosis is a hallmark of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and a key component of obesity‐associated metabolic dysfunctions featuring dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and loss of glycemic control. It has yet to be completely understood how much dysregulated de novo lipogenesis contributes to the pathogenic development of hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance. ATP‐citrate lyase (ACL) is a lipogenic enzyme that catalyzes the critical reaction linking cellular glucose catabolism and lipogenesis, converting cytosolic citrate to acetyl‐coenzyme A (CoA). Acetyl‐CoA is further converted to malonyl‐CoA, the essential precursor for fatty acid biosynthesis. We investigated whether dysregulation of hepatic ACL is metabolically connected to hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance, and hyperglycemia. We found that in leptin receptor–deficient db/db mice, the expression of ACL was selectively elevated in the liver but not in the white adipose tissue. Liver‐specific ACL abrogation via adenovirus‐mediated RNA interference prominently reduced the hepatic contents of both acetyl‐CoA and malonyl‐CoA, markedly inhibited hepatic de novo lipogenesis, and protected against hepatic steatosis in db/db mice. Surprisingly, liver‐specific ACL abrogation markedly inhibited the expression of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐gamma and the entire lipogenic program in the liver. Moreover, hepatic ACL deficiency resulted in significantly down‐regulated expression of gluconeogenic genes in the liver as well as enhanced insulin sensitivity in the muscle, leading to substantially improved systemic glucose metabolism. Conclusion: These findings establish a crucial role of hepatic ACL in lipid and glucose metabolism; therefore, hepatic ACL may serve as a potential target to treat NAFLD and type 2 diabetes. (HEPATOLOGY 2009.)

Identification of MUP1 as a regulator for glucose and lipid metabolism in mice.

Major urinary protein (MUP) 1 is a lipocalin family member abundantly secreted into the circulation by the liver. MUP1 binds to lipophilic pheromones and is excreted in urine. Urinary MUP1/pheromone complexes mediate chemical communication in rodents. However, it is unclear whether circulatory MUP1 has additional physiological functions. Here we show that MUP1 regulates glucose and lipid metabolism. MUP1 expression was markedly reduced in both genetic and dietary fat-induced obesity and diabetes. Mice were infected with MUP1 adenoviruses via tail vein injection, and recombinant MUP1 was overexpressed in the liver and secreted into the bloodstream. Recombinant MUP1 markedly attenuated hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance in genetic (db/db) and dietary fat-induced type 2 diabetic mice as well as in streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic mice. MUP1 inhibited the expression of both gluconeogenic genes and lipogenic genes in the liver. Moreover, recombinant MUP1 directly decreased glucose production in primary hepatocyte cultures by inhibiting the expression of gluconeogenic genes. These data suggest that MUP1 regulates systemic glucose and/or lipid metabolism through the paracrine/autocrine regulation of the hepatic gluconeogenic and/or lipogenic programs, respectively.

Human SH2B1 mutations are associated with maladaptive behaviors and obesity

Src homology 2 B adapter protein 1 (SH2B1) modulates signaling by a variety of ligands that bind to receptor tyrosine kinases or JAK-associated cytokine receptors, including leptin, insulin, growth hormone (GH), and nerve growth factor (NGF). Targeted deletion of Sh2b1 in mice results in increased food intake, obesity, and insulin resistance, with an intermediate phenotype seen in heterozygous null mice on a high-fat diet. We identified SH2B1 loss-of-function mutations in a large cohort of patients with severe early-onset obesity. Mutation carriers exhibited hyperphagia, childhood-onset obesity, disproportionate insulin resistance, and reduced final height as adults. Unexpectedly, mutation carriers exhibited a spectrum of behavioral abnormalities that were not reported in controls, including social isolation and aggression. We conclude that SH2B1 plays a critical role in the control of human food intake and body weight and is implicated in maladaptive human behavior.

SH2-B Is Required for Nerve Growth Factor-induced Neuronal Differentiation

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is essential for the development and survival of sympathetic and sensory neurons. NGF binds to TrkA, activates the intrinsic kinase activity of TrkA, and promotes the differentiation of pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells into sympathetic-like neurons. Several signaling molecules and pathways are known to be activated by NGF, including phospholipase Cγ, phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase, and the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade. However, the mechanism of NGF-induced neuronal differentiation remains unclear. In this study, we examined whether SH2-Bβ, a recently identified pleckstrin homology and SH2 domain-containing signaling protein, is a critical signaling protein for NGF. TrkA bound to glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins containing SH2-Bβ, and NGF stimulation dramatically increased that binding. In contrast, NGF was unable to stimulate the association of TrkA with a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein containing a mutant SH2-Bβ(R555E) with a defective SH2 domain. When overexpressed in PC12 cells, SH2-Bβ co-immunoprecipitated with TrkA in response to NGF. NGF stimulated tyrosyl phosphorylation of endogenous SH2-Bβ as well as exogenously expressed GFP-SH2-Bβ but not GFP-SH2-Bβ(R555E). Overexpression of SH2-Bβ(R555E) blocked NGF-induced neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells, whereas overexpression of wild type SH2-Bβ enhanced NGF-induced neurite outgrowth. Overexpression of either wild type or mutant SH2-Bβ(R555E) did not alter tyrosyl phosphorylation of TrkA, Shc, or phospholipase Cγ in response to NGF or NGF-induced activation of ERK1/2, suggesting that SH2-Bβ may initiate a previously unknown pathway(s) that is essential for NGF-induced neurite outgrowth. Taken together, these data indicate that SH2-Bβ is a novel signaling molecule required for NGF-induced neuronal differentiation.

SH2B1 Enhances Insulin Sensitivity by Both Stimulating the Insulin Receptor and Inhibiting Tyrosine Dephosphorylation of Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins

OBJECTIVE SH2B1 is a SH2 domain-containing adaptor protein expressed in both the central nervous system and peripheral tissues. Neuronal SH2B1 controls body weight; however, the functions of peripheral SH2B1 remain unknown. Here, we studied peripheral SH2B1 regulation of insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We generated TgKO mice expressing SH2B1 in the brain but not peripheral tissues. Various metabolic parameters and insulin signaling were examined in TgKO mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). The effect of SH2B1 on the insulin receptor catalytic activity and insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1/IRS-2 dephosphorylation was examined using in vitro kinase assays and in vitro dephosphorylation assays, respectively. SH2B1 was coexpressed with PTP1B, and insulin receptor–mediated phosphorylation of IRS-1 was examined. RESULTS Deletion of peripheral SH2B1 markedly exacerbated HFD-induced hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and glucose intolerance in TgKO mice. Insulin signaling was dramatically impaired in muscle, liver, and adipose tissue in TgKO mice. Deletion of SH2B1 impaired insulin signaling in primary hepatocytes, whereas SH2B1 overexpression stimulated insulin receptor autophosphorylation and tyrosine phosphorylation of IRSs. Purified SH2B1 stimulated insulin receptor catalytic activity in vitro. The SH2 domain of SH2B1 was both required and sufficient to promote insulin receptor activation. Insulin stimulated the binding of SH2B1 to IRS-1 or IRS-2. This physical interaction inhibited tyrosine dephosphorylation of IRS-1 or IRS-2 and increased the ability of IRS proteins to activate the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway. CONCLUSIONS SH2B1 is an endogenous insulin sensitizer. It directly binds to insulin receptors, IRS-1 and IRS-2, and enhances insulin sensitivity by promoting insulin receptor catalytic activity and by inhibiting tyrosine dephosphorylation of IRS proteins.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulates the association of SH2- Bβ with PDGF receptor and phosphorylation of SH2-Bβ

We recently identified SH2-Bβ as a JAK2-binding protein and substrate involved in the signaling of receptors for growth hormone and interferon-γ. In this work, we report that SH2-Bβ also functions as a signaling molecule for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). SH2-Bβ fused to glutathione S-transferase (GST) bound PDGF receptor (PDGFR) from PDGF-treated but not control cells. GST fusion protein containing only the SH2 domain of SH2-Bβ also bound PDGFR from PDGF-treated cells. An Arg to Glu mutation within the FLVRQS motif in the SH2 domain of SH2-Bβ inhibited GST-SH2-Bβ binding to tyrosyl-phosphorylated PDGFR. The N-terminal truncated SH2-Bβ containing the entire SH2 domain interacted directly with tyrosyl-phosphorylated PDGFR from PDGF-treated cells but not unphosphorylated PDGFR from control cells in a Far Western assay. These results suggest that the SH2 domain of SH2-Bβ is necessary and sufficient to mediate the interaction between SH2-Bβ and PDGFR. PDGF stimulated coimmunoprecipitation of endogenous SH2-Bβ with endogenous PDGFR in both 3T3-F442A and NIH3T3 cells. PDGF stimulated the rapid and transient phosphorylation of SH2-Bβ on tyrosines and most likely on serines and/or threonines. Similarly, epidermal growth factor stimulated the phosphorylation of SH2-Bβ; however, phosphorylation appears to be predominantly on serines and/or threonines. In response to PDGF, SH2-Bβ associated with multiple tyrosyl-phosphorylated proteins, at least one of which (designated p84) does not bind to PDGFR. Taken together, these data strongly argue that, in response to PDGF, SH2-Bβ directly interacts with PDGFR and is phosphorylated on tyrosine and most likely on serines and/or threonines, and acts as a signaling protein for PDGFR.

Differential Binding to and Regulation of JAK2 by the SH2 Domain and N-Terminal Region of SH2-Bβ

ABSTRACT SH2-Bβ has been shown to bind via its SH2 (Src homology 2) domain to tyrosyl-phosphorylated JAK2 and strongly activate JAK2. In this study, we demonstrate the existence of an additional binding site(s) for JAK2 within the N-terminal region of SH2-Bβ (amino acids 1 to 555) and the ability of this region of SH2-B to inhibit JAK2. Four lines of evidence support the existence of this additional binding site(s). In a glutathione S-transferase pull-down assay, wild-type SH2-Bβ and SH2-Bβ(R555E) with a defective SH2 domain bind to both tyrosyl-phosphorylated JAK2 from growth hormone (GH)-treated cells and non-tyrosyl-phosphorylated JAK2 from control cells, whereas the SH2 domain of SH2-Bβ binds only to tyrosyl-phosphorylated JAK2 from GH-treated cells. Similarly, JAK2 is present in αSH2-B immunoprecipitates in the absence and presence of GH, with GH substantially increasing the coprecipitation of JAK2 with SH2-B. When coexpressed in COS cells, SH2-Bβ coimmunoprecipitates not only wild-type, tyrosyl-phosphorylated JAK2 but also kinase-inactive, non-tyrosyl-phosphorylated JAK2(K882E), although to a lesser extent. ΔC555 (amino acids 1 to 555 of SH2-Bβ) that lacks most of the SH2 domain binds similarly to wild-type JAK2 and kinase-inactive JAK2(K882E). Experiments using a series of N- and C-terminally truncated SH2-Bβ constructs indicate that the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain (amino acids 269 to 410) and amino acids 410 to 555 are necessary for maximal binding of SH2-Bβ to inactive JAK2, but neither region alone is sufficient for maximal binding. The SH2 domain of SH2-Bβ is necessary and sufficient for the stimulatory effect of SH2-Bβ on JAK2 and JAK2-mediated tyrosyl phosphorylation of Stat5B. In contrast, ΔC555 lacking the SH2 domain, and to a lesser extent the PH domain alone, inhibits JAK2. ΔC555 also blocks JAK2-mediated tyrosyl phosphorylation of Stat5B in COS cells and GH-stimulated nuclear accumulation of Stat5B in 3T3-F442A cells. These data indicate that in addition to the SH2 domain, SH2-Bβ has one or more lower-affinity binding sites for JAK2 within amino acids 269 to 555. The interaction via this site(s) in SH2-B with inactive JAK2 seems likely to increase the local concentration of SH2-Bβ around JAK2, thereby facilitating binding of the SH2 domain to ligand-activated JAK2. This would result in a more rapid and robust cellular response to hormones and cytokines that activate JAK2. This interaction between inactive JAK2 and SH2-B may also help prevent abnormal activation of JAK2.