Angiotensin II Inhibits Insulin Receptor Signaling in Adipose Cells

Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a critical regulator of insulin signaling in the cardiovascular system and metabolic tissues. However, in adipose cells, the regulatory role of Ang II on insulin actions remains to be elucidated. The effect of Ang II on insulin-induced insulin receptor (IR) phosphorylation, Akt activation, and glucose uptake was examined in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In these cells, Ang II specifically inhibited insulin-stimulated IR and insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) tyrosine-phosphorylation, Akt activation, and glucose uptake in a time-dependent manner. These inhibitory actions were associated with increased phosphorylation of the IR at serine residues. Interestingly, Ang II-induced serine-phosphorylation of IRS was not detected, suggesting that Ang II-induced desensitization begins from IR regulation itself. PKC inhibition by BIM I restored the inhibitory effect of Ang II on insulin actions. We also found that Ang II promoted activation of several PKC isoforms, including PKCα/βI/βII/δ, and its association with the IR, particularly PKCβII, showed the highest interaction. Finally, we also found a similar regulatory effect of Ang II in isolated adipocytes, where insulin-induced Akt phosphorylation was inhibited by Ang II, an effect that was prevented by PKC inhibitors. These results suggest that Ang II may lead to insulin resistance through PKC activation in adipocytes.