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Mechanism of Kemeng Fang's Inhibition of Podocyte Apoptosis in Rats with Membranous Nephropathy through the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway
Published on: August 23, 2024
Enhancement of cGMP-dependent pathway activity ameliorates hyperglycemia-induced decrease in SIRT1-AMPK activity in
Dorota Rogacka1, Patrycja Rachubik2, Irena Audzeyenka1
1Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Nephrology, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Gdansk, Poland; Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
Abstract:
Hyperglycemia significantly decreases 3',5'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent pathway activity in the kidney. A well-characterized downstream signaling effector of cGMP is cGMP-dependent protein kinase G (PKG), exerting a wide range of downstream effects, including vasodilation and vascular smooth muscle cells relaxation. In podocytes that are exposed to high glucose concentrations, crosstalk between the protein deacetylase sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and adenosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinase (AMPK) decreased, attenuating insulin responsiveness and impairing podocyte function. The present study examined the effect of enhancing cGMP-dependent pathway activity on SIRT1-AMPK crosstalk in podocytes under hyperglycemic conditions. We found that enhancing cGMP-dependent pathway activity using a cGMP analog was associated with increases in SIRT1 protein levels and activity, with a concomitant increase in the degree of AMPK phosphorylation. The beneficial effects of enhancing cGMP-dependent pathway activity on SIRT1-AMPK crosstalk also included improvements in podocyte function. Based on our findings, we postulate an important role for SIRT1-AMPK crosstalk in the regulation of albumin permeability in hyperglycemia that is strongly associated with activity of the cGMP-dependent pathway.
Insights
Enhancing the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway in kidney podocytes improves sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and adenosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinase (AMPK) crosstalk. This boosts podocyte function and insulin responsiveness under high glucose conditions.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Hyperglycemia impairs kidney podocyte function by decreasing cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent pathways.
- This dysfunction involves reduced crosstalk between sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and adenosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinase (AMPK), impacting insulin responsiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of enhancing cGMP-dependent pathway activity on SIRT1-AMPK crosstalk in podocytes under hyperglycemic conditions.
- To determine if modulating the cGMP pathway can restore podocyte function during hyperglycemia.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a cGMP analog to enhance cGMP-dependent pathway activity in podocytes.
- Assessed changes in SIRT1 protein levels and activity.
- Measured the phosphorylation status of AMPK.
- Evaluated podocyte function and albumin permeability.
Main Results:
- Enhancing cGMP pathway activity increased SIRT1 protein levels and activity.
- Concomitant increase observed in AMPK phosphorylation.
- Beneficial effects on podocyte function were noted.
- SIRT1-AMPK crosstalk was linked to albumin permeability regulation.
Conclusions:
- The cGMP-dependent pathway plays a crucial role in regulating SIRT1-AMPK crosstalk in podocytes during hyperglycemia.
- Restoring cGMP pathway activity can ameliorate hyperglycemia-induced podocyte dysfunction.
- SIRT1-AMPK crosstalk is a key mediator of albumin permeability in diabetic kidney disease.
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