AP20187-mediated activation of a chimeric insulin receptor results in insulin-like actions in skeletal muscle and liver of diabetic mice

Hum Gene Ther. 2007 Feb;18(2):106-17. doi: 10.1089/hum.2006.116.

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) derives from either insulin deficiency (type 1) or resistance (type 2). Insulin regulates glucose metabolism and homeostasis by binding to a specific membrane receptor (IR) with tyrosine kinase activity, expressed by its canonical target tissues. General or tissue-specific IR ablation in mice results in complex metabolic abnormalities, which give partial insights into the role of IR signaling in glucose homeostasis and diabetes development. We generated a chimeric IR (LFv2IRE) inducible on administration of the small molecule drug AP20187. This represents a powerful tool to induce insulin receptor signaling in the hormone target tissues in DM animal models. Here we use adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors to transduce muscle and liver of nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice with LFv2IRE. Systemic AP20187 administration results in time-dependent LFv2IRE tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of the insulin signaling pathway in both liver and muscle of AAV-treated NOD mice. AP20187 stimulation significantly increases hepatic glycogen content and muscular glucose uptake similarly to insulin. The LFv2IRE-AP20187 system represents a useful tool for regulated and rapid tissue-specific restoration of IR signaling and for dissection of insulin signaling and function in the hormone canonical and noncanonical target tissues.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dependovirus
  • Genetic Vectors / metabolism
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Glycogen / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Insulin / metabolism*
  • Liver / cytology
  • Liver / drug effects*
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Muscle, Skeletal / cytology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Phosphotyrosine / metabolism
  • Receptor, Insulin / chemistry
  • Receptor, Insulin / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Tacrolimus / analogs & derivatives*
  • Tacrolimus / pharmacology
  • Transduction, Genetic

Substances

  • AP20187
  • Insulin
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Phosphotyrosine
  • Glycogen
  • Receptor, Insulin
  • Glucose
  • Tacrolimus