IRIG: O-GlcNAc and PGC-1 in Nature

           The negative-feedback loop in the insulin signaling pathway is a framework for the concept of post-receptor signaling defect theory, which represents the mainstream views of insulin resistance. In the school, inhibition of insulin receptor substrates (IRSs) by serine/threonine kinases is the core. Many molecular hypotheses for insulin resistance, such as inflammation, ER stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, hyperinsulinemia, and hypoadiponectinemia, are built on the core. A new study in Nature enriched the theory by demonstration that insulin may promote IRS-1 inhibition by increasing glycocylation of IRS-1. The enzyme O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) mediates this activity of insulin. This paper is recommended by Dr. Marina Bouché at the University of Rome, Italy.  (See PDF file attached).
 
            PGC-1a is another “star” molecule like SIRT1. PGC-1a is a transcription coactivator originally identified in the study of PPARg. PGC-1a is involved in glucose homeostasis, mitochondrial biogenesis, circadian rhythm, and energy expenditure. A new study in Nature shows that PGC-1a is involved in protection of microcirculation from ischemia damage by promoting angiogenesis. The mechanism is induction of VEGF expression by PGC-1a. (See PDF file attached).     
 
 
           By the way, the “Insight” section of Nature is focused on Cardiovascular disease in this issue. It contains eight excellent reviews about different aspects of CVDs. Here is the link: http://www.nature.com/nature/index.html
  
 
By Jianping at PBRC

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Jianping Ye, MD

Professor of Molecular Biology
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Louisiana State University System
6400 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Phone: (225)763-3163
E-mail: yej@pbrc.edu
Webpage: http://labs.pbrc.edu/generegulation/index.htm
 
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IRIG: Studies in Nature, Science and Cell

            The product of longevity gene SIRT1 has been a “Star” molecular in the past five years. Most of papers about SIRT1 are published in the top journals. This reflects the strong desire of the scientific community for understanding molecular mechanism of ageing. Now, SIRT1 is known to regulate carcinogenesis, energy metabolism and embryo development. All of these activities are “good” for longevity. The precise control of SIRT1 activity is of interesting. In Nature, two recent studies suggest that SIRT1 activity is controlled by breast cancer-related gene. DBC1 (deleted in breast cancer 1) is shown to be a native inhibitor of SIRT1 in human cells. See attached PDF. These papers are recommended by Dr. Eric Ravussin at PBRC.  
 
Control of blood glucose is a major work in the treatment of diabetes. However, the degree of reducing blood glucose is controversial. To clarify the issue, the best way is clinical trial though it is very expensive. Now, a report in Science suggests that reducing blood glucose to the normal level is bad in long term as the diabetes patients died at a higher rate in the clinical trial. See PDF attached. This is recommended by Dr. Zhong Yun at the Yale University.
 
            Hyperglycemia leads to insulin resistance. The molecular mechanism is related to oxidative stress. In Cell, a study shows that glucose may induce insulin resistance in muscle by reducing diacylglycerol (DAG) kinase. This leads to an increase in DAG and PKC activity for insulin resistance. Though it is well known that glucose increases DAG level, people believe that it is a result of enhanced DAG production. This study suggests that a reduction in DAG metabolism contributes to the increase. See PDF attached.
 
            An interesting paper about Ghrelin at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6WSN-4RSJ9JW-C/2/d1fb4471d9bd18c50fc64043372e929c
 
By Jianping at PBRC                    

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Jianping Ye, MD

Professor of Molecular Biology
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Louisiana State University System
6400 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Phone: (225)763-3163
E-mail: yej@pbrc.edu
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