Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0011849 (diabetes)
 277,896 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Kir6.2 is an inwardly rectifying potassium channel that is expressed in pancreatic beta-cells and cardiac and skeletal muscle. Expressed together with the high-affinity sulphonylurea receptor, it reconstitutes a sulphonylurea- and also ATP-sensitive potassium channel resembling the native beta-cell channel. The objective of this study was to search for mutations in the Kir6.2 gene that might be associated with NIDDM or related to altered insulin secretion, insulin action, or glucose metabolism in healthy subjects. Using polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis (PCR-SSCP) on genomic DNA from 69 Danish NIDDM patients and 66 matched control subjects, we report the finding of three missense polymorphisms in otherwise conserved codons and three silent polymorphisms in the gene encoding Kir6.2: codon 23 (GAG/AAG), Glu-->Lys; codon 190 (GCT/GCC), Ala-->Ala; codon 267 (CTC/CTG), Leu-->Leu; codon 270 (CTG/GTG), Leu-->Val; codon 337 (ATC/GTC), Ile-->Val; codon 381 (AAG/AAA), Lys-->Lys. The codon 23 and codon 337 amino acid polymorphisms were always coupled. The allelic frequencies of the polymorphisms were similar in NIDDM patients and control subjects. The amino acid polymorphisms were not associated with altered insulin secretion after intravenous glucose or tolbutamide injections or with altered glucose effectiveness in a phenotype study of 346 young healthy subjects. However, carriers of the maximal load of amino acid variants, the compound homozygous codon 23/337 and heterozygous codon 270, had on average a 62% higher insulin sensitivity index (P = 0.006), compared with noncarriers. We conclude that a combination of common Kir6.2 amino acid variants may contribute to the genetic background behind the large variation of the insulin sensitivity index in the general population.
Diabetes 1997 Mar
PMID:Amino acid polymorphisms in the ATP-regulatable inward rectifier Kir6.2 and their relationships to glucose- and tolbutamide-induced insulin secretion, the insulin sensitivity index, and NIDDM. 903 10

In order to characterize the endogenous gene product for rad (ras-related protein associated with diabetes), we prepared antibodies to synthetic peptides that correspond to amino acids (109-121, 178-195, 254-271) within the protein. These antibodies were used to analyze the expression, structure, and function of rad. Western analysis with these antibodies revealed that rad was a 46 kDa protein which was expressed during myotube formation. Further, immunolocalization studies showed that rad localized to thin filamentous regions in skeletal muscle. Interestingly, when muscle biopsies from diabetic and control Pima Indians were compared, no differences in rad protein or mRNA expression were observed. Similarly, no differences were observed in protein expression in diabetic and control Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats. Functional analysis of muscle rad revealed that its GTP-binding activity was inhibited by the addition of N-ethylmaliemide, GTP, GTP gamma S, and GDP beta S but not ATP or dithiothreitol. Moreover, cytosol-dependent rad-GTPase activity was stimulated by the peptide corresponding to amino acids 109-121. Antibodies corresponding to this epitope inhibited cytosol-dependent rad-GTPase activity. Taken together, the results indicate that 1) rad is a 46 kDa GTP-binding protein localized to thin filaments in muscle and its expression increases during myoblast fusion, 2) expression of rad in Pima Indians and ZDF rats does not correlate with diabetes, and 3) the amino acids (109-121) may be involved in regulating rad-GTPase activity, perhaps by interacting with a cytosolic factor(s) regulating nucleotide exchange and/or hydrolysis.
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PMID:Identification of Rad's effector-binding domain, intracellular localization, and analysis of expression in Pima Indians. 917 2

Glucose is a cardinal secretory and mitogenic stimulus for the insulin-producing pancreatic beta-cell both in vitro and in vivo, but the mechanisms by which the sugar acts mitogenically remain largely elusive. In this study, the intracellular pathways that convey glucose-induced mitogenic and secretory signaling in beta-cells were investigated. For this purpose, fetal rat pancreatic islets enriched in beta-cells were cultured in 3.3 or 16.7 mmol/l glucose for 3 days. It was found that glucose stimulated beta-cell replication, insulin secretion, and cAMP content. These effects were mimicked by agonists of cAMP-dependent protein kinases but not by guanosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP). Antagonists of cAMP-dependent protein kinases failed to block the glucose-induced increments in beta-cell replication and insulin secretion. Glucose is known to activate protein kinase C, and a protein kinase C-activating phorbol ester was found to promote beta-cell mitogenesis and insulin secretion. Conversely, when protein kinase C was inhibited, the mitogenic (but not secretory) response to glucose was attenuated. There were no additive or synergistic effects on beta-cell replication when cAMP and phorbol ester were combined, whereas insulin secretion was potentiated by this combination. Artificially causing Ca2+ inlet by glibenclamide or ionomycin did not result in a stimulated mitogenic response, and preventing Ca2+ influx by blocking plasma membrane Ca2+ channels did not abolish the mitogenicity of glucose, although it reduced insulin secretion. Pretreatment of islets with pertussis toxin, known to regulate transduction of signals through heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins, completely prevented the stimulatory effect of glucose on beta-cell mitogenesis but not on insulin secretion. We conclude that specific activation of protein kinase C or cAMP synthesis is sufficient to increase beta-cell mitogenesis and insulin secretion, whereas cGMP appears not to affect these processes. However, cAMP does not seem to mediate the mitogenicity or secretory action of glucose. The results instead suggest that signaling through GTP-binding proteins and protein kinase C activation is required for transduction of the mitogenic, but not secretory, message of the sugar in the beta-cell.
Diabetes 1997 Jul
PMID:Glucose stimulates islet beta-cell mitogenesis through GTP-binding proteins and by protein kinase C-dependent mechanisms. 920 Jun 48

To address the hypothesis that tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha has a role in obesity-associated insulin resistance or the regulation of in vivo lipid metabolism, mice with targeted disruption of the TNF-alpha gene were generated and studied. The absence of TNF-alpha protein in TNF-null (-/-) mice was confirmed. Lean or obese (gold-thioglucose [GTG]-injected) homozygous (-/-) mice were compared with lean or obese age- and sex-matched wild-type (+/+) mice derived from the same line at 13, 19, and 28 weeks of age. The following parameters were significantly affected in lean -/- versus +/+ mice: Body weight was not affected until week 28 (decreased by 14%); epididymal fat pad weight also decreased (25%) at this time, as did percentage body fat (16%), while percentage body protein was increased 13%. Fed plasma insulin levels decreased 47% (28 weeks), triglyceride levels decreased (all three ages; maximum 35% at 19 weeks), and fed plasma leptin decreased 33% (28 weeks). Fasting glucose was slightly (10%) reduced, but the glucose response to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was not affected. There was a trend (NS) toward increased total adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase in -/- versus +/+ mice. GTG-treatment resulted in obese -/- and +/+ mice with equal mean body weights (42 and 58% increased weight versus lean mice). The following parameters were significantly different in obese -/- mice: fasting plasma glucose decreased 13% (28 weeks), fed plasma insulin decreased 67% (28 weeks), and insulin response to OGTT was decreased by 50%. For both groups of obese mice, glucose levels during the OGTT were substantially increased compared with those in lean mice; however, mean stimulated glucose levels were 20% lower in obese -/- versus +/+ mice. We conclude 1) that TNF-alpha functions to regulate plasma triglycerides and body adiposity and 2) that although TNF-alpha contributes to reduced insulin sensitivity in older or obese mice, the absence of TNF-alpha is not sufficient to substantially protect against insulin resistance in the GTG hyperphagic model of rodent obesity.
Diabetes 1997 Sep
PMID:Targeted disruption of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene: metabolic consequences in obese and nonobese mice. 928 59

Calcitonin generelated peptide (CGRP) is a neuropeptide discovered by a molecular approach over 10 years ago. More recently, islet amyloid polypeptide or amylin, and adrenomedullin were isolated from human insulinoma and pheochromocytoma respectively, and revealed between 25 and 50% sequence homology with CGRP. This review discusses findings on the anatomical distributions of CGRP mRNA, CGRP-like immunoreactivity and receptors in the central nervous system, as well as the potential physiological roles for CGRP. The anatomical distribution and biological activities of amylin and adrenomedullin are also presented. Based upon the differential biological activity of various CGRP analogs, the CGRP receptors have been classified in two major classes, namely the CGRP1 and CGRP2 subtypes. A third subtype has also been proposed (e.g. in the nucleus accumbens) as it does not share the pharmacological properties of the other two classes. The anatomical distribution and the pharmacological characteristics of amylin binding sites in the rat brain are different from those reported for CGRP but share several similarities with the salmon calcitonin receptors. The receptors identified thus far for CGRP and related peptides belong to the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily. Indeed, modulation of adenylate cyclase activity following receptor activation has been reported for CGRP, amylin and adrenomedullin. Furthermore, the binding affinity of CGRP and related peptides is modulated by nucleotides such as GTP. The cloning of various calcitonin and most recently of CGRP1 and adrenomedullin receptors was reported and revealed structural similarities but also significant differences to other members of the G protein-coupled receptors. They may thus form a new subfamily. The cloning of the amylin receptor(s) as well as of the other putative CGRP receptor subtype(s) are still awaited. Finally, a broad variety of biological activities has been described for CGRP-like peptides. These include vasodilation, nociception, glucose uptake and the stimulation of glycolysis in skeletal muscles. These effects may thus suggest their potential role and therapeutic applications in migraine, subarachnoid haemorrhage, diabetes and pain-related mechanisms, among other disorders.
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PMID:Neuroanatomical localization, pharmacological characterization and functions of CGRP, related peptides and their receptors. 935 97

Post-receptor signalling molecules that convey the signal from the activated insulin receptor to the actual process of Glut4 translocation and hexose uptake are poorly understood. Various studies have suggested a requirement of the lipid kinase phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3-kinase) in this process. PI3kinase regulates the activation status of the small GTP-binding protein Rac which, in turn, is able to activate another G-protein Rho. Rac and Rho are known to regulate the structure of the membrane- and cytoplasmic actin-cytoskeleton. We have examined whether Rac and Rho transfer the signals generated by PI3kinase towards insulin-stimulated hexose uptake. For that purpose, we expressed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes the dominant-negative mutant of RacN17 using vaccinia virus-mediated gene transfer. The expression levels of the RacN17 protein were monitored by Western blotting. The abrogation of endogenous Rac signalling by expression of RacN17 was inferred from the observed loss of arachidonic acid release in response to insulin. Basal and insulin-stimulated hexose transport were not affected by expression of the RacN17 mutant. A possible contribution of Rho.GTP to stimulation of hexose uptake was examined by pre-incubation of adipocytes with lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). We observed a profound effect of LPA on the structure of the cytoskeleton and on the phosphorylation of Focal Adhesion Kinase (p125FAK), indicating that 3T3-L1 adipocytes respond to LPA and that Rho was activated by LPA. However, no effect was detected on the basal or on the insulin-stimulated hexose transport. We conclude that Rac and Rho are unlikely to be involved in insulin-stimulated hexose transport, suggesting a possible contribution of other signalling pathways, downstream of PI3kinase to this process.
Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 1997
PMID:Changes in the signalling status of the small GTP-binding proteins Rac and Rho do not influence insulin-stimulated hexose transport. 935 53

Glucose stimulates insulin secretion in the pancreatic beta-cell by means of a synergistic interaction between at least two signaling pathways. One, the K(ATP) channel-dependent pathway, increases the entry of Ca2+ through voltage-gated channels by closure of the K(ATP) channels and depolarization of the beta-cell membrane. The resulting increase in [Ca2+]i stimulates insulin exocytosis. The other, a K(ATP) channel-independent pathway, requires that [Ca2+]i be elevated and augments the Ca2+-stimulated release. These mechanisms are in accord with the belief that glucose-stimulated insulin secretion has an essential requirement for extracellular Ca2+ and increased [Ca2+]i. However, when protein kinases A and C are activated simultaneously, a large effect of glucose to augment insulin release can be seen in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, under conditions in which [Ca2+]i is not increased, and even when [Ca2+]i is decreased to low levels by intracellular chelation with BAPTA. In the presence or absence of Ca2+, there are similarities in the characteristics of augmentation of insulin release that suggest that only one augmentation mechanism may be involved. These similarities include time course, glucose dose-responses, augmentation by nutrients other than glucose such as alpha-ketoisocaproate (alpha-KIC), and augmentation by the fatty acids palmitate and myristate. However, augmentation in the presence and absence of Ca2+ is distinctly different in GTP dependency. Therefore, exocytosis under these two conditions appears to be triggered differently-one by Ca2+ and the other by GTP or a GTP-dependent mechanism. The augmentation pathways are likely responsible for time-dependent potentiation of secretion and for the second phase of glucose-stimulated insulin release.
Diabetes 1997 Dec
PMID:Augmentation of insulin release by glucose in the absence of extracellular Ca2+: new insights into stimulus-secretion coupling. 939 76

Basic research on the cellular mechanisms that control the expression of the gene encoding glucagon has led to the discovery of proglucagon. This precursor is processed by tissue-specific proteolysis to produce glucagon in pancreatic alpha-cells and a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in the intestine. GLP-1 is a hormone that is released by intestinal cells into the circulation in response to food intake. GLP-1 and gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP) which has also been termed glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide appear to account for most of the incretin effect in the augmentation of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. These two hormones have specific beta-cell receptors that are coupled to GTP binding proteins to induce production of cyclic AMP and activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. It is proposed that at least one factor contributing to the pathogenesis of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is desensitization of the GLP-1 receptor on beta-cells. At pharmacological doses, infusion of GLP-1, but not of GLP, can improve and enhance postprandial insulin response in NIDDM patients. Agonists of GLP-1 receptor have been proposed as new potential therapeutic agents in NIDDM patients. The observations that GLP-1 induces both secretion and production of insulin, and that its activities are mainly glucose-dependent, led to the suggestion that GLP-1 may present a unique advantage over sulfonylurea drugs in the treatment of NIDDM.
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PMID:Glucagon-like peptide-1 structure, function and potential use for NIDDM. 939 46

Mastoparan, a tetradecapeptide component of wasp venom, activates heterotrimeric G-proteins and stimulates exocytosis in several cell types, including the pancreatic beta-cell. In this study, its effects on insulin secretion were assessed in both rat and human pancreatic islets, along with the ability of glucose and alpha-ketoisocaproate (alpha-KIC) to augment mastoparan-stimulated release. In Ca2+-free Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer containing 2.8 mmol/l glucose, 20 micromol/l mastoparan stimulated insulin secretion 12- and 14-fold in rat and human islets, respectively. The inactive analog mastoparan-17 had no effect on release. Under the same Ca2+-free conditions, 11.1 mmol/l glucose had no effect on insulin release alone, but augmented mastoparan-stimulated release by 74% in both rat and human islets. Stimulation of release by mastoparan and augmentation of release by glucose were unaffected by treatment with pertussis toxin. The effect of cellular GTP depletion on the mastoparan stimulation of release and augmentation by alpha-KIC was studied by culturing rat islets in the presence of 25 microg/ml mycophenolic acid for 20 h. In the control islets, alpha-KIC augmented mastoparan-stimulated insulin release by 80%. In the GTP-depleted rat islets, mastoparan-stimulated insulin release was not changed, while the augmentation by alpha-KIC was eliminated. Mannoheptulose completely blocked the augmentation by glucose. In conclusion, mastoparan stimulates insulin release by activation of a signal transduction pathway that can be augmented by nutrients such as glucose and alpha-KIC. Nutrient augmentation of this pathway is heavily dependent on GTP.
Diabetes 1998 Jul
PMID:Glucose augmentation of mastoparan-stimulated insulin secretion in rat and human pancreatic islets. 964 28

Hepatic phenylalanine hydroxylase is reported to be more abundant in experimentally-diabetic rats; whereas livers of animals fed a high protein diet, where gluconeogenesis also prevails, have normal amounts of this enzyme. In this study, in addition to seeking an explanation for this effect of experimental diabetes, we also examined the effects of providing alternative dietary gluconeogenic substrates. In rats fed a diet composed of 40% (w/w) glycerol, the specific activities of hepatic phenylalanine hydroxylase are decreased to about 60% of control values. There is no effect on the apparent state of phosphorylation of the enzyme. However, studies on the incorporation of radiolabelled leucine into liver phenylalanine hydroxylase suggested that there was a decreased rate of synthesis. Similarly, animals fed a diet containing 85% (w/w) fructose also have diminished phenylalanine hydroxylase activities. Under all of the above circumstances and also in streptozotocin-induced diabetic animals, alterations in the concentrations of the hydroxylase cofactor, tetrahydrobiopterin and of GTP closely correlate with the effects on the enzyme activities. They are elevated in livers of diabetic animals and significantly diminished in livers of rats fed diets rich in glycerol or fructose. These observations suggest that in adult rat both liver tetrahydrobiopterin concentrations and the expression of hepatic phenylalanine hydroxylase are regulated by GTP [210].
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PMID:Correlation of rat hepatic phenylalanine hydroxylase, with tetrahydrobiopterin and GTP concentrations. 978 68


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