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Oligopeptide Competition Assay for Phosphorylation Site Determination
Published on: May 18, 2017
The cAMP-dependent protein kinase downregulates glucose-6-phosphatase expression through RORα and SRC-2 coactivator
Andre Madsen1, Jan-Inge Bjune1, Lise Bjørkhaug2
1Department of Clinical Science K2, University of Bergen, N-5020 Norway; The Hormone Laboratory, Haukeland University Hospital, N-5021 Bergen, Norway.
Abstract:
Fasting hormones activate the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway and stimulate expression of hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes including glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase). Previously it was shown that steroid receptor coactivator 2 (SRC-2) knock-out mice exhibit fasting hypoglycemia and that SRC-2 coactivates RAR-related orphan receptor alpha (RORα) at the proximal G6Pase promoter. We have investigated the upstream regulation and functional implications of this RORα/SRC-2 complex on G6Pase expression. In HepG2 cells, overexpression of the catalytic PKA subunit (PKA-Cα) reduced the SRC-2 protein level, recruitment to the G6Pase promoter, and its ability to coactivate RORα. Knock-down and transactivation experiments employing G6Pase promoter constructs demonstrated that RORα and SRC-2 are required for PGC-1α to stimulate G6Pase expression. These results suggest that PKA inhibits SRC-2 coactivation of RORα and in turn reduces PGC-1α dependent regulation of G6Pase. This indirect feedback mechanism may underlie the suppression of gluconeogenesis throughout long-term starvation.
Insights
Fasting hormones activate glucose production. Protein kinase A (PKA) inhibits SRC-2 coactivation of RORα, reducing glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) expression and gluconeogenesis during starvation.
Area of Science:
- Metabolism
- Molecular Biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Fasting hormones activate the cAMP/PKA pathway, stimulating hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes like glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase).
- Steroid receptor coactivator 2 (SRC-2) knockout mice show fasting hypoglycemia, and SRC-2 coactivates RAR-related orphan receptor alpha (RORα) at the G6Pase promoter.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate upstream regulation of the RORα/SRC-2 complex on G6Pase expression.
- Elucidate the functional implications of this complex in gluconeogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized HepG2 cells for overexpression and knock-down experiments.
- Employed transactivation assays with G6Pase promoter constructs.
- Assessed protein levels, promoter recruitment, and coactivation capabilities.
Main Results:
- Overexpression of the catalytic PKA subunit (PKA-Cα) decreased SRC-2 protein levels and its coactivation of RORα.
- RORα and SRC-2 are essential for PGC-1α to stimulate G6Pase expression.
- PKA inhibits SRC-2 coactivation of RORα, reducing PGC-1α-dependent G6Pase regulation.
Conclusions:
- PKA negatively regulates SRC-2 coactivation of RORα.
- This indirect feedback mechanism suppresses gluconeogenesis during prolonged starvation.
- Highlights a novel regulatory pathway for hepatic glucose production.
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