Contribution of alpha-adrenergic and beta-adrenergic stimulation to ischemia-induced glucose transporter (GLUT) 4 and GLUT1 translocation in the isolated perfused rat heart. (57/2944)

The intracellular signaling mechanism of the ischemia-stimulated glucose transporter (GLUT) translocation in the heart is not yet characterized. It has been suggested that catecholamines released during ischemia may be involved in this pathway. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the contribution of alpha-adrenoceptors and beta-adrenoceptors to ischemia-mediated GLUT4 and GLUT1 translocation in the isolated, Langendorff-perfused rat heart. Additionally, GLUT translocation was studied in response to catecholamine stimulation with phenylephrine (Phy) and isoproterenol (Iso). The results were compared with myocardial uptake of glucose analogue [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). Subcellular analysis of GLUT4 and GLUT1 protein on plasma membrane vesicles (PM) and intracellular membrane vesicles (IM) using membrane preparation and immunoblotting revealed that alpha- and beta-receptor agonists stimulated GLUT4 translocation from IM to PM (2.5-fold for Phy and 2.1-fold for Iso, P<0.05 versus control), which was completely inhibited by phentolamine (Phe) and propranolol (Pro), respectively. Plasmalemmal GLUT1 moderately rose after Iso exposure, and this was prevented by Pro. In contrast, ischemia-stimulated GLUT4 translocation (2.2-fold, P<0.05 versus control) was only inhibited by alpha-adrenergic antagonist Phe but not by beta-adrenergic antagonist Pro. Similarly, Phe but not Pro inhibited ischemia-stimulated GLUT1 translocation. GLUT data were confirmed by FDG uptake monitored using bismuth germanate detectors. The catecholamine-stimulated FDG uptake (6.9-fold for Phy and 8.9-fold for Iso) was significantly inhibited by Phe and Pro; however, only Phe but not Pro significantly reduced the ischemia-induced 2.5-fold increase in FDG uptake (P<0.05 versus ischemia). This study suggests that alpha-adrenoceptor stimulation may play a role in the ischemia-mediated increase in glucose transporter trafficking leading to the stimulation of FDG uptake in the isolated, perfused rat heart, whereas beta-adrenergic activation does not participate in this signaling pathway.  (+info)

Abnormal regulation of the sympathetic nervous system in alpha2A-adrenergic receptor knockout mice. (58/2944)

alpha2-Adrenergic receptors (ARs) play a key role in regulating neurotransmitter release in the central and peripheral sympathetic nervous systems. To date, three subtypes of alpha2-ARs have been cloned (alpha2A, alpha2B, and alpha2C). Here we describe the physiological consequences of disrupting the gene for the alpha2A-AR. Mice lacking functional alpha2A subtypes were compared with wild-type (WT) mice, with animals lacking the alpha2B or alpha2C subtypes, and with mice carrying a point mutation in the alpha2A-AR gene (alpha2AD79N). Deletion of the alpha2A subtype led to an increase in sympathetic activity with resting tachycardia (knockout, 581 +/- 21 min-1; WT, 395 +/- 21 min-1), depletion of cardiac tissue norepinephrine concentration (knockout, 676 +/- 31 pg/mg protein; WT, 1178 +/- 98 pg/mg protein), and down-regulation of cardiac beta-ARs (Bmax: knockout, 23 +/- 1 fmol/mg protein; WT, 31 +/- 2 fmol/mg protein). The hypotensive effect of alpha2 agonists was completely absent in alpha2A-deficient mice. Presynaptic alpha2-AR function was tested in two isolated vas deferens preparations. The nonsubtype-selective alpha2 agonist dexmedetomidine completely blocked the contractile response to electrical stimulation in vas deferens from alpha2B-AR knockout, alpha2C-AR knockout, alpha2AD79N mutant, and WT mice. The maximal inhibition of vas deferens contraction by the alpha2 agonist in alpha2A-AR knockout mice was only 42 +/- 9%. [3H]Norepinephrine release studies performed in vas deferens confirmed these findings. The results indicate that the alpha2A-AR is a major presynaptic receptor subtype regulating norepinephrine release from sympathetic nerves; however, the residual alpha2-mediated effect in the alpha2A-AR knockout mice suggests that a second alpha2 subtype (alpha2B or alpha2C) also functions as a presynaptic autoreceptor to inhibit transmitter release.  (+info)

Obesity-related phenotypes and the beta3-adrenoceptor gene variant in postmenopausal women. (59/2944)

We examined the hypothesis that postmenopausal women with the beta3-adrenoceptor gene variant (Trp64Arg) have reduced total daily energy expenditure (TEE), altered free fatty acid kinetics, and increased intra-abdominal fat. A secondary objective was to examine whether the obese state masks the effect of the variant on resting metabolic rate (RMR). There were 23 obese heterozygous women with the genetic variant (age 58 +/- 6 years; BMI 36 +/- 7 kg/m2) who were compared with 19 homozygous obese women with the normal allele (age 56 +/- 4 years; BMI 36 +/- 3 kg/m2). Daily energy expenditure was determined from doubly labeled water and indirect calorimetry, lipolysis from infusion of [1-13C]palmitate, and body fat distribution from computed tomography. No significant differences were found in TEE, RMR, energy expenditure of physical activity, the thermic effect of a meal, fat oxidation as estimated by fasting and postprandial respiratory quotients (RQs), or rate of lipolysis. Similarly, no difference was found in visceral adipose tissue and abdominal subcutaneous fat areas. When RMR was compared between obese (n = 23) and never-obese women with the Trp64Arg variant (n = 16), we found a 317 kcal/day lower RMR in never-obese women after controlling for fat mass, fat-free mass, and age (P < 0.0017). These results do not support the hypothesis that already obese women with the Trp64Arg polymorphism of the beta3-adrenergic receptor gene have lower daily energy expenditure, altered lipolysis, and increased abdominal obesity. On the other hand, the lower RMR in never-obese women suggests that the obese state may mask a moderate effect of the Trp64Arg variant on energy expenditure. Although these results need to be confirmed in other populations, the obese state may have been a confounding factor in previous studies of the beta3-adrenoceptor Trp64Arg variant and energy expenditure.  (+info)

Multiple-site phosphorylation of the 280 kDa isoform of acetyl-CoA carboxylase in rat cardiac myocytes: evidence that cAMP-dependent protein kinase mediates effects of beta-adrenergic stimulation. (60/2944)

Two major forms of mammalian acetyl-CoA carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.2), ACC-alpha and ACC-beta, have been described and the sequences of the isoforms deduced. ACC-beta is the predominant isoform expressed in heart and skeletal muscles, in which a major role of malonyl-CoA is probably to regulate fatty acid beta-oxidation. The regulatory properties of ACC-beta are incompletely defined but it is known that some cellular stresses lead to inhibition in parallel with the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMP-PK). Here we examine the phosphorylation state of ACC-beta within intact rat cardiac ventricular myocytes. Treatment of myocytes with the beta-adrenergic agonist isoprenaline (isoproterenol) led to increased ACC-beta phosphorylation that was maximal within 2 min and with 50 nM agonist. Effects of isoprenaline were revealed by the incorporation of 32P into ACC in cells incubated with [32P]Pi and also by a marked decrease (approx. 80%) in subsequent phosphorylation in vitro with cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). Analysis of tryptic phosphopeptides revealed that ACC-beta was phosphorylated at multiple sites by incubation in vitro with PKA or AMP-PK. Treatment of myocytes with isoprenaline affected all the major phosphorylation sites of ACC-beta that were recognized in vitro by purified PKA, so that subsequent phosphorylation in vitro was greatly diminished after cell stimulation. beta-Adrenergic stimulation led to decreases in cellular malonyl-CoA concentrations but no changes in kinetic properties of ACC were detected after cell homogenization and partial purification of proteins. The results suggest that: (1) ACC-beta is rapidly phosphorylated at multiple sites within intact cardiac ventricular myocytes after beta-adrenergic stimulation, (2) ACC-beta is phosphorylated in vitro by PKA and AMP-PK at multiple sites, including at least one site accessible to each kinase, as well as kinase-selective sites, and (3) PKA is a physiologically significant ACC-beta kinase.  (+info)

Contribution of a missense mutation (Trp64Arg) in beta3-adrenergic receptor gene to multiple risk factors in Japanese men with hyperuricemia. (61/2944)

Epidemiological data reveal that hyperuricemia is a risk factor of atherosclerosis. The risk is possibly caused by a link between hyperuricemia and insulin resistance-related metabolic syndrome. Recently it has been proposed that a missense mutation (Trp64Arg) in the beta3-adrenergic receptor (beta3-AR) gene may contribute to the accumulation of multiple risk factors related to insulin resistance. The present study was undertaken to further clarify an association between the Trp64Arg mutation and the metabolic syndrome in 47 Japanese men with hyperuricemia, who are substantially at high risk of atherosclerosis. One patient (2%) had the homozygous mutation, 12 (26%) were heterozygous for the mutation, and 31 (72%) had no mutation found by the PCR-RFLP analysis. The Trp64Arg mutation was not related to past maximal body mass index (BMI), BMI and waist/hip ratio. The subjects with the heterozygous mutation showed a slightly higher incidence of impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes mellitus in the 75 g oral glucose challenge (67%), as compared with those without the mutation (39%). Serum insulin response at 60 min and the sum of serum insulin in the glucose challenge were greater in the former subjects than those in the latter subjects (P=0.041 and 0.076, respectively). An increase in serum lipoprotein(a) was also observed in the subjects with the heterozygous mutation, but the Trp64Arg mutation was not associated with other dyslipidemia, blood pressure or ischemic changes on the electrocardiogram. These results indicate that the heterozygous mutation of Trp64Arg in the beta3-AR gene partly contributes to the accumulation of multiple risk factors in male subjects with hyperuricemia. A larger prospective study is necessary to elucidate a possible role of the Trp64Arg mutation in atherosclerotic diseases in future.  (+info)

Rat angiotensin-converting enzyme promoter regulation by beta-adrenergics and cAMP in endothelium. (62/2944)

To shed light on mechanisms of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) upregulation, we used a rabbit endothelial cell model to characterize intracellular pathways of beta-adrenergic stimulation. In these cells, ACE activity is increased by isoproterenol (ISO). The stably transfected 1273-bp ACE promoter is stimulated by ISO in the presence of isobutyl methylxanthine. This effect is abolished by propranolol. Promoter stimulation is mimicked by cholera toxin, forskolin, and 8BrcAMP, but not by 8BrcGMP. Promoter stimulation by ISO and isobutyl methylxanthine is blocked by protein kinase A inhibitors, indicating that beta-adrenergic stimulation of the ACE gene depends on phosphorylation of protein kinase A targets. Activation by cAMP, resistance to phorbol ester, and lack of synergism between cAMP and phorbol ester suggest that promoter regulation is due to cAMP responsive element rather than to activating protein-2 sequences. Okadaic acid potentiation of 8BrcAMP induction indicated that promoter activation by cAMP is regulated by phosphatases controlling activation of typical cAMP responsive element regulated genes. In summary, beta-adrenergic activation of rat ACE promoter is specific; uses G(s) proteins, adenylyl cyclase, protein kinase A; and probably includes cAMP responsive element-like sequences.  (+info)

Differential regulation of functional responses by beta-adrenergic receptor subtypes in brown adipocytes. (63/2944)

Brown adipose tissue contains both beta(1)- and beta(3)-adrenergic receptors (beta-ARs), and whereas both receptor subtypes can activate adenylyl cyclase, recent studies suggest that these subtypes have different pharmacological properties and may serve different signaling functions. In this study, primary brown adipocyte cultures were used to determine the role of beta-AR subtypes in mediating lipolysis and uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) gene expression, elicited by the physiological neurohormone norepinephrine (NE). NE increased both lipolysis and UCP1 mRNA levels in brown adipocyte cultures; the beta(1)-receptor-selective antagonist CGP-20712A strongly antagonized the increase in UCP1 gene expression but had little effect on lipolysis. The beta(3)-receptor-selective agonist CL-316243 (CL) also increased lipolysis and UCP1 mRNA levels, yet CL was more potent in stimulating lipolysis than UCP1 gene expression. NE also increased the phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and perilipin (PL), both of which are protein kinase A substrates that are differentially targeted to the nucleus and lipid droplets, respectively. beta(1)-receptor blockade inhibited NE-stimulated phosphorylation of CREB but not PL. The results suggest that beta-AR subtypes regulate different physiological responses stimulated by NE in brown adipocyte cultures in part by differentially transducing signals to subcellular compartments.  (+info)

Increased training load and the beta-adrenergic-receptor system on human lymphocytes. (64/2944)

The influence of increased training on the sympathoadrenergic system was investigated. Moderately trained male subjects (n = 15) increased their training within 10 wk by 60%; eight of the subjects increased their training volume, and seven increased their training intensity. Before and after the training, an exhaustive treadmill exercise was carried out. Acute treadmill exercise increased beta-adrenergic receptor number on mononuclear lymphocytes, isoproternol-stimulated cAMP production, and plasma catecholamine concentration. The increase of receptor number can at least partially be explained by a changed lymphocyte composition at rest and after exercise. After training, the exercise-induced increase of beta-adrenergic receptor number was significantly blunted, and the exercise-induced increase of the isoproternol-stimulated cAMP production per beta-receptor was enhanced. Subjects who experienced increased symptoms of physical discomfort and/or mood changes showed an enhanced cAMP production after training. These findings point to an altered regulation of the receptor and postreceptor mechanisms as an effect of a 10-wk period of hard training.  (+info)