The ULK1/2 and AMPK Inhibitor SBI-0206965 Blocks AICAR and Insulin-Stimulated Glucose Transport

The small molecule kinase inhibitor SBI-0206965 was originally described as a specific inhibitor of ULK1/2. More recently, it was reported to effectively inhibit AMPK and several studies now report its use as an AMPK inhibitor. Currently, we investigated the specificity of SBI-0206965 in incubated mouse skeletal muscle, measuring the effect on analog 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR)-stimulated AMPK-dependent glucose transport and insulin-stimulated AMPK-independent glucose uptake. Pre-treatment with 10 µM SBI-0206965 for 50 min potently suppressed AICAR-stimulated glucose transport in both the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus muscle. This was despite only a modest lowering of AICAR-stimulated AMPK activation measured as ACC2 Ser212, while ULK1/2 Ser555 phosphorylation was prevented. Insulin-stimulated glucose transport was also potently inhibited by SBI-0206965 in soleus. No major changes were observed on insulin-stimulated cell signaling. No general effect of SBI-0206965 on intracellular membrane morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy. As insulin is known to neither activate AMPK nor require AMPK to stimulate glucose transport, and insulin inhibits ULK1/2 activity, these data strongly suggest that SBI-0206965 has a non-specific off-target inhibitory effect on muscle glucose transport. Thus, SBI-0206965 is not a specific inhibitor of the AMPK/ULK-signaling axis in skeletal muscle, and data generated with this inhibitor must be interpreted with caution.

The role of group I p21-activated kinases in contraction-stimulated skeletal muscle glucose transport

AimMuscle contraction stimulates skeletal muscle glucose transport. Since it occurs independently of insulin, it is an important alternative pathway to increase glucose uptake in insulin-resistant states, but the intracellular signalling mechanisms are not fully understood. Muscle contraction activates group I p21-activated kinases (PAKs) in mouse and human skeletal muscle. PAK1 and PAK2 are downstream targets of Rac1, which is a key regulator of contraction-stimulated glucose transport. Thus, PAK1 and PAK2 could be downstream effectors of Rac1 in contraction-stimulated glucose transport. The current study aimed to test the hypothesis that PAK1 and/or PAK2 regulate contraction-induced glucose transport.MethodsGlucose transport was measured in isolated soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) mouse skeletal muscle incubated either in the presence or absence of a pharmacological inhibitor (IPA-3) of group I PAKs or originating from whole-body PAK1 knockout (KO), muscle-specific PAK2 (m)KO or double whole-body PAK1 and muscle-specific PAK2 knockout mice.ResultsIPA-3 attenuated (−22%) the increase in muscle glucose transport in response to electrically-stimulated contraction. PAK1 was dispensable for contraction-stimulated glucose uptake in both soleus and EDL muscle. Lack of PAK2, either alone (−13%) or in combination with PAK1 (−14%), reduced contraction-stimulated glucose transport compared to control littermates in EDL, but not soleus muscle.ConclusionContraction-stimulated glucose transport in isolated glycolytic mouse EDL muscle is partly dependent on PAK2, but not PAK1.

RabGAPs in skeletal muscle function and exercise

The two closely related RabGAPs TBC1D1 and TBC1D4 are key signaling factors of skeletal muscle substrate utilization. In mice, deficiency in both RabGAPs leads to reduced skeletal muscle glucose transport in response to insulin and lower GLUT4 abundance. Conversely, Tbc1d1 and Tbc1d4 deficiency results in enhanced lipid use as fuel in skeletal muscle, through yet unknown mechanisms. In humans, variants in TBC1D1 and TBC1D4 are linked to obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. While the specific function in metabolism of each of the two RabGAPs remains to be determined, TBC1D1 emerges to be controlling exercise endurance and physical capacity, whereas TBC1D4 may rather be responsible for maintaining muscle insulin sensitivity, muscle contraction, and exercise. There is growing evidence that TBC1D1 also plays an important role in skeletal muscle development, since it has been found to be associated to meat production traits in several livestock species. In addition, TBC1D1 protein abundance in skeletal muscle is regulated by both, insulin receptor and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) receptor signaling. This review focuses on the specific roles of the two key signaling factors TBC1D1 and TBC1D4 in skeletal muscle metabolism, development and exercise physiology.

Regulation of Skeletal Muscle Glucose Transport and Glucose Metabolism by Exercise Training

Aerobic exercise training and resistance exercise training are both well-known for their ability to improve human health; especially in individuals with type 2 diabetes. However, there are critical differences between these two main forms of exercise training and the adaptations that they induce in the body that may account for their beneficial effects. This article reviews the literature and highlights key gaps in our current understanding of the effects of aerobic and resistance exercise training on the regulation of systemic glucose homeostasis, skeletal muscle glucose transport and skeletal muscle glucose metabolism.