Mengwei Zang

AMPK Phosphorylates and Inhibits SREBP Activity to Attenuate Hepatic Steatosis and Atherosclerosis in Diet-Induced Insulin-Resistant Mice

AMPK has emerged as a critical mechanism for salutary effects of polyphenols on lipid metabolic disorders in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Here we demonstrate that AMPK interacts with and directly phosphorylates sterol regulatory element binding proteins (SREBP-1c and -2). Ser372 phosphorylation of SREBP-1c by AMPK is necessary for inhibition of proteolytic processing and transcriptional activity of SREBP-1c in response to polyphenols and metformin. AMPK stimulates Ser372 phosphorylation, suppresses SREBP-1c cleavage and nuclear translocation, and represses SREBP-1c target gene expression in hepatocytes exposed to high glucose, leading to reduced lipogenesis and lipid accumulation. Hepatic activation of AMPK by the synthetic polyphenol S17834 protects against hepatic steatosis, hyperlipidemia, and accelerated atherosclerosis in diet-induced insulin-resistant LDL receptor-deficient mice in part through phosphorylation of SREBP-1c Ser372 and suppression of SREBP-1c- and -2-dependent lipogenesis. AMPK-dependent phosphorylation of SREBP may offer therapeutic strategies to combat insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and atherosclerosis.

SIRT1 Regulates Hepatocyte Lipid Metabolism through Activating AMP-activated Protein Kinase

Resveratrol may protect against metabolic disease through activating SIRT1 deacetylase. Because we have recently defined AMPK activation as a key mechanism for the beneficial effects of polyphenols on hepatic lipid accumulation, hyperlipidemia, and atherosclerosis in type 1 diabetic mice, we hypothesize that polyphenol-activated SIRT1 acts upstream of AMPK signaling and hepatocellular lipid metabolism. Here we show that polyphenols, including resveratrol and the synthetic polyphenol S17834, increase SIRT1 deacetylase activity, LKB1 phosphorylation at Ser428, and AMPK activity. Polyphenols substantially prevent the impairment in phosphorylation of AMPK and its downstream target, ACC (acetyl-CoA carboxylase), elevation in expression of FAS (fatty acid synthase), and lipid accumulation in human HepG2 hepatocytes exposed to high glucose. These effects of polyphenols are largely abolished by pharmacological and genetic inhibition of SIRT1, suggesting that the stimulation of AMPK and lipid-lowering effect of polyphenols depend on SIRT1 activity. Furthermore, adenoviral overexpression of SIRT1 stimulates the basal AMPK signaling in HepG2 cells and in the mouse liver. AMPK activation by SIRT1 also protects against FAS induction and lipid accumulation caused by high glucose. Moreover, LKB1, but not CaMKKβ, is required for activation of AMPK by polyphenols and SIRT1. These findings suggest that SIRT1 functions as a novel upstream regulator for LKB1/AMPK signaling and plays an essential role in the regulation of hepatocyte lipid metabolism. Targeting SIRT1/LKB1/AMPK signaling by polyphenols may have potential therapeutic implications for dyslipidemia and accelerated atherosclerosis in diabetes and age-related diseases.

Polyphenols Stimulate AMP-Activated Protein Kinase, Lower Lipids, and Inhibit Accelerated Atherosclerosis in Diabetic LDL Receptor–Deficient Mice

Because polyphenols may have beneficial effects on dyslipidemia, which accelerates atherosclerosis in diabetes, we examined the effect of polyphenols on hepatocellular AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity and lipid levels, as well as hyperlipidemia and atherogenesis in type 1 diabetic LDL receptor–deficient mice (DMLDLR−/−). In HepG2 hepatocytes, polyphenols, including resveratrol (a major polyphenol in red wine), apigenin, and S17834 (a synthetic polyphenol), increased phosphorylation of AMPK and its downstream target, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), and they increased activity of AMPK with 200 times the potency of metformin. The polyphenols also prevented the lipid accumulation that occurred in HepG2 cells exposed to high glucose, and their ability to do so was mimicked and abrogated, respectively, by overexpression of constitutively active and dominant-negative AMPK mutants. Furthermore, treatment of DMLDLR−/− mice with S17834 prevented the decrease in AMPK and ACC phosphorylation and the lipid accumulation in the liver, and it also inhibited hyperlipidemia and the acceleration of aortic lesion development. These studies 1) reveal that inactivation of hepatic AMPK is a key event in the pathogenesis of hyperlipidemia in diabetes, 2) point to a novel mechanism of action of polyphenols to lower lipids by activating AMPK, and 3) emphasize a new therapeutic avenue to benefit hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis specifically in diabetes via activating AMPK.

SIRT1 Deacetylates and Inhibits SREBP-1C Activity in Regulation of Hepatic Lipid Metabolism

The SIRT1 deacetylase inhibits fat synthesis and stimulates fat oxidation in response to fasting, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here we report that SREBP-1c, a key lipogenic activator, is an in vivo target of SIRT1. SIRT1 interaction with SREBP-1c was increased during fasting and decreased upon feeding, and consistently, SREBP-1c acetylation levels were decreased during fasting in mouse liver. Acetylated SREBP-1c levels were also increased in HepG2 cells treated with insulin and glucose to mimic feeding conditions, and down-regulation of p300 by siRNA decreased the acetylation. Depletion of hepatic SIRT1 by adenoviral siRNA increased acetylation of SREBP-1c with increased lipogenic gene expression. Tandem mass spectrometry and mutagenesis studies revealed that SREBP-1c is acetylated by p300 at Lys-289 and Lys-309. Mechanistic studies using acetylation-defective mutants showed that SIRT1 deacetylates and inhibits SREBP-1c transactivation by decreasing its stability and its occupancy at the lipogenic genes. Remarkably, SREBP-1c acetylation levels were elevated in diet-induced obese mice, and hepatic overexpression of SIRT1 or treatment with resveratrol, a SIRT1 activator, daily for 1 week decreased acetylated SREBP-1c levels with beneficial functional outcomes. These results demonstrate an intriguing connection between elevated SREBP-1c acetylation and increased lipogenic gene expression, suggesting that abnormally elevated SREBP-1c acetylation increases SREBP-1c lipogenic activity in obese mice. Reducing acetylation of SREBP-1c by targeting SIRT1 may be useful for treating metabolic disorders, including fatty liver, obesity, and type II diabetes.

AMPK as a metabolic tumor suppressor: control of metabolism and cell growth

AMPK is an evolutionarily conserved fuel-sensing enzyme that is activated in shortage of energy and suppressed in its surfeit. AMPK activation stimulates fatty acid oxidation, enhances insulin sensitivity, alleviates hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, and inhibits proinflammatory changes. Thus, AMPK is a well-received therapeutic target for metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes. Recent studies indicate that AMPK plays a role in linking metabolic syndrome and cancer. AMPK is an essential mediator of the tumor suppressor LKB1 and could be suppressed in cancer cells containing loss-of-function mutations of LKB1 or containing active mutations of B-Raf, or in cancers associated with metabolic syndrome. The activation of AMPK reprograms cellular metabolism and enforces metabolic checkpoints by acting on mTORC1, p53, fatty acid synthase and other molecules for regulating cell growth and metabolism. In keeping with in vitro studies, recent epidemiological studies indicate that the incidence of cancer is reduced in Type 2 diabetes treated with metformin, an AMPK activator. Thus, AMPK is emerging as an interesting metabolic tumor suppressor and a promising target for cancer prevention and therapy.

Hepatic overexpression of SIRT1 in mice attenuates endoplasmic reticulum stress and insulin resistance in the liver

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been implicated in the pathophysiology of human type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Although SIRT1 has a therapeutic effect on metabolic deterioration in T2DM, the precise mechanisms by which SIRT1 improves insulin resistance remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that adenovirus‐mediated overexpression of SIRT1 in the liver of diet‐induced insulin‐resistant low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐deficient mice and of genetically obese ob/ob mice attenuates hepatic steatosis and ameliorates systemic insulin resistance. These beneficial effects were associated with decreased mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activity, inhibited the unfolded protein response (UPR), and enhanced insulin receptor signaling in the liver, leading to decreased hepatic gluconeogenesis and improved glucose tolerance. The tunicamycin‐in‐duced splicing of X‐box binding protein‐1 and expression of GRP78 and CHOP were reduced by resveratrol in cultured cells in a SIRT1‐dependent manner. Conversely, SIRT1‐deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts challenged with tunicamycin exhibited markedly increased mTORC1 activity and impaired ER homeostasi and insulin signaling. These effects were abolished by mTORC1 inhibition by rapamycin in human HepG2 cells. These studies indicate that SIRT1 serves as a negative regulator of UPR signaling in T2DM and that SIRT1 attenuates hepatic steatosis, ameliorates insulin resistance, and restores glucose homeostasis, largely through the inhibition of mTORC1 and ER stress.—Li, Y., Xu, S., Giles, A., Nakamura, K., Lee, J. W., Hou, X., Donmez, G., Li, J., Luo, Z., Walsh, K., Guarente, L., Zang, M. Hepatic overexpression of SIRT1 in mice attenuates endoplasmic reticulum stress and insulin resistance in the liver. FASEB J. 25, 1664–1679 (2011). www.fasebj.org

Hepatic SIRT1 Attenuates Hepatic Steatosis and Controls Energy Balance in Mice by Inducing Fibroblast Growth Factor 21

BACKGROUND & AIMS The hepatocyte-derived hormone fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a hormone-like regulator of metabolism. The nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent deacetylase SIRT1 regulates fatty acid metabolism through multiple nutrient sensors. Hepatic overexpression of SIRT1 reduces steatosis and glucose intolerance in obese mice. We investigated mechanisms by which SIRT1 controls hepatic steatosis in mice. METHODS Liver-specific SIRT1 knockout (SIRT1 LKO) mice and their wild-type littermates (controls) were divided into groups that were placed on a normal chow diet, fasted for 24 hours, or fasted for 24 hours and then fed for 6 hours. Liver tissues were collected and analyzed by histologic examination, gene expression profiling, and real-time polymerase chain reaction assays. Human HepG2 cells were incubated with pharmacologic activators of SIRT1 (resveratrol or SRT1720) and mitochondrion oxidation consumption rate and immunoblot analyses were performed. FGF21 was overexpressed in SIRT1 LKO mice using an adenoviral vector. Energy expenditure was assessed by indirect calorimetry. RESULTS Prolonged fasting induced lipid deposition in livers of control mice, but severe hepatic steatosis in SIRT1 LKO mice. Gene expression analysis showed that fasting up-regulated FGF21 in livers of control mice but not in SIRT1 LKO mice. Decreased hepatic and circulating levels of FGF21 in fasted SIRT1 LKO mice were associated with reduced hepatic expression of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation and ketogenesis, and increased expression of genes that control lipogenesis, compared with fasted control mice. Resveratrol or SRT1720 each increased the transcriptional activity of the FGF21 promoter (-2070/+117) and levels of FGF21 messenger RNA and protein in HepG2 cells. Surprisingly, SIRT1 LKO mice developed late-onset obesity with impaired whole-body energy expenditure. Hepatic overexpression of FGF21 in SIRT1 LKO mice increased the expression of genes that regulate fatty acid oxidation, decreased fasting-induced steatosis, reduced obesity, increased energy expenditure, and promoted browning of white adipose tissue. CONCLUSIONS SIRT1-mediated activation of FGF21 prevents liver steatosis caused by fasting. This hepatocyte-derived endocrine signaling appears to regulate expression of genes that control a brown fat-like program in white adipose tissue, energy expenditure, and adiposity. Strategies to activate SIRT1 or FGF21 could be used to treat fatty liver disease and obesity.

AMPK Exerts Dual Regulatory Effects on the PI3K Pathway

Background AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a fuel-sensing enzyme that is activated when cells experience energy deficiency and conversely suppressed in surfeit of energy supply. AMPK activation improves insulin sensitivity via multiple mechanisms, among which AMPK suppresses mTOR/S6K-mediated negative feedback regulation of insulin signaling. Results In the present study we further investigated the mechanism of AMPK-regulated insulin signaling. Our results showed that 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1 ribonucleoside (AICAR) greatly enhanced the ability of insulin to stimulate the insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS1)-associated PI3K activity in differentiated 3T3-F442a adipocytes, leading to increased Akt phosphorylation at S473, whereas insulin-stimulated activation of mTOR was diminished. In 3T3-F442a preadipocytes, these effects were attenuated by expression of a dominant negative mutant of AMPK α1 subunit. The enhancing effect of ACIAR on Akt phosphorylation was also observed when the cells were treated with EGF, suggesting that it is regulated at a step beyond IR/IRS1. Indeed, when the cells were chronically treated with AICAR in the absence of insulin, Akt phosphorylation was progressively increased. This event was associated with an increase in levels of phosphatidylinositol -3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3) and blocked by Wortmannin. We then expressed the dominant negative mutant of PTEN (C124S) and found that the inhibition of endogenous PTEN per se did not affect phosphorylation of Akt at basal levels or upon treatment with AICAR or insulin. Thus, this result suggests that AMPK activation of Akt is not mediated by regulating phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN). Conclusion Our present study demonstrates that AMPK exerts dual effects on the PI3K pathway, stimulating PI3K/Akt and inhibiting mTOR/S6K.

The Thromboxane A2 Receptor Antagonist S18886 Prevents Enhanced Atherogenesis Caused by Diabetes Mellitus

Background— S18886 is an orally active thromboxane A2 (TXA2) receptor (TP) antagonist in clinical development for use in secondary prevention of thrombotic events in cardiovascular disease. We previously showed that S18886 inhibits atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E–deficient (apoE−/−) mice by a mechanism independent of platelet-derived TXA2. Atherosclerosis is accelerated by diabetes and is associated with increased TXA2 and other eicosanoids that stimulate TP. The purpose of this study was to determine whether S18886 lessens the enhanced atherogenesis in diabetic apoE−/− mice. Methods and Results— Diabetes mellitus was induced in apoE−/− mice with streptozotocin and was treated or not with S18886 (5 mg · kg−1 · d−1). After 6 weeks, aortic lesion area was increased >4-fold by diabetes in apoE−/− mice, associated with similar increases in serum glucose and cholesterol. S18886 largely prevented the diabetes-related increase in lesion area without affecting the hyperglycemia or hypercholesterolemia. S18886 prevented deterioration of endothelial function and endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression, as well as increases in intimal markers of inflammation associated with diabetes. In human aortic endothelial cells in culture, S18886 also prevented the induction of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and prevented the decrease in endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression caused by high glucose. Conclusions— The TP antagonist inhibits inflammation and accelerated atherogenesis caused by diabetes, most likely by counteracting effects on endothelial function and adhesion molecule expression of eicosanoids stimulated by the diabetic milieu.

Overnutrition and maternal obesity in sheep pregnancy alter the JNK-IRS-1 signaling cascades and cardiac function in the fetal heart

Maternal obesity in pregnancy predisposes offspring to insulin resistance and associated cardiovascular disease. Here, we used a well‐established sheep model to investigate the effects of maternal obesity on cardiac functions. Multiparous ewes were assigned to a control (CON) diet [100% of National Research Council (NRC) recommendations] or an obesogenic (OB) diet (150% of NRC recommendations) from 60 d before conception to necropsy on d 135 of pregnancy. Fetal blood glucose and insulin were increased (P<0.01, n=8) in OB (35.09±2.03 mg/dl and 3.40±1.43 μU/ml, respectively) vs. CON ewes (23.80±1.38 mg/dl and 0.769±0.256 μU/ml). Phosphorylation of AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK), a cardioprotective signaling pathway, was reduced (P<0.05), while the stress signaling pathway, p38 MAPK, was up‐regulated (P<0.05) in OB maternal and fetal hearts. Phosphorylation of c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) and insulin receptor substrate‐1 (IRS‐1) at Ser‐307 were increased (P<0.05) in OB fetal heart associated with lower downstream PI3K‐Akt activity (P<0.05), indicating impaired cardiac insulin signaling. Although OB fetal hearts exhibited a normal contractile function vs. CON fetal hearts during basal perfusion, they developed an impaired heart‐rate‐left‐ventricular‐developed pressure product in response to high workload stress. Taken together, fetuses of OB mothers demonstrate alterations in cardiac PI3K‐Akt, AMPK, and JNK‐IRS‐1 signaling pathways that would predispose them to insulin resistance and cardiac dysfunction.—Wang, J., Ma, H., Tong, C., Zhang, H., Lawlis, G. B., Li, Y., Zang, M., Ren, J., Nijland, M. J., Ford, S. P., Nathanielsz, P. W., Li, J. Overnutrition and maternal obesity in sheep pregnancy alter the JNK‐IRS‐1 signaling cascades and cardiac function in the fetal heart. FASEBJ. 24, 2066–2076 (2010). www.fasebj.org