Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2025

Measurements of Physiological Stress Responses in C. Elegans
Published on: May 21, 2020
IGF-1 Signaling Modulates Oxidative Metabolism and Stress Resistance in ARPE-19 Cells Through PKM2 Function
Silvia Ravera1,2, Alessandra Puddu3, Nadia Bertola2
1Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Via De Toni 14, 16132 Genova, Italy.
Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) alters pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) activity in retinal pigment epithelium cells, impacting metabolism and oxidative stress. Klotho may protect against these IGF-1 effects.
Area of Science:
- Cellular metabolism
- Retinal biology
- Molecular signaling
Background:
- Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) dysfunction is linked to retinal degenerative diseases.
- Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) is crucial for cellular metabolism and may be influenced by insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of IGF-1 on PKM2 in RPE cells.
- To determine if Klotho can protect RPE cells from IGF-1-induced changes.
- To explore the role of PKM2 in RPE metabolic and redox balance.
Main Methods:
- Utilized ARPE-19 cells as an ex vivo model of human pigmented epithelium.
- Exposed cells to IGF-1 and assessed PKM2 expression, dimerization, and localization.
- Evaluated cellular energy metabolism and redox balance, with and without Klotho pre-treatment.
Main Results:
- IGF-1 promoted PKM2 dimerization, reducing its enzymatic activity.
- This led to altered cellular energy status and decreased oxidative stress.
- Klotho pre-treatment appeared to counteract the effects of IGF-1.
Conclusions:
- PKM2 is pivotal in regulating RPE cell metabolism and redox balance.
- IGF-1's effects on PKM2 may contribute to retinal disease pathogenesis.
- Klotho shows potential protective effects by modulating IGF-1 signaling and mitochondrial function.
More Related Videos
10:00Induction and Analysis of Oxidative Stress in Sleeping Beauty Transposon-Transfected Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells
Published on: December 11, 2020
09:32Light-mediated Reversible Modulation of the Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Pathway during Cell Differentiation and Xenopus Embryonic Development
Published on: June 15, 2017
Related Concept Videos
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
Regulation of the Unfolded Protein Response
MAPK Signaling Cascades
Abnormal Proliferation