IRS-1 serine phosphorylation and insulin resistance in skeletal muscle from pancreas transplant recipients

Diabetes. 2006 Mar;55(3):785-91. doi: 10.2337/diabetes.55.03.06.db05-0796.

Abstract

Insulin-dependent diabetic recipients of successful pancreas allografts achieve self-regulatory insulin secretion and discontinue exogenous insulin therapy; however, chronic hyperinsulinemia and impaired insulin sensitivity generally develop. To determine whether insulin resistance is accompanied by altered signal transduction, skeletal muscle biopsies were obtained from pancreas-kidney transplant recipients (n = 4), nondiabetic kidney transplant recipients (receiving the same immunosuppressive drugs; n = 5), and healthy subjects (n = 6) before and during a euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp. Basal insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 Ser (312) and Ser (616) phosphorylation, IRS-1-associated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-1/2 phosphorylation were elevated in pancreas-kidney transplant recipients, coincident with fasting hyperinsulinemia. Basal IRS-1 Ser (312) and Ser (616) phosphorylation was also increased in nondiabetic kidney transplant recipients. Insulin increased phosphorylation of IRS-1 at Ser (312) but not Ser (616) in healthy subjects, with impairments noted in nondiabetic kidney and pancreas-kidney transplant recipients. Insulin action on ERK-1/2 and Akt phosphorylation was impaired in pancreas-kidney transplant recipients and was preserved in nondiabetic kidney transplant recipients. Importantly, insulin stimulation of the Akt substrate AS160 was impaired in nondiabetic kidney and pancreas-kidney transplant recipients. In conclusion, peripheral insulin resistance in pancreas-kidney transplant recipients may arise from a negative feedback regulation of the canonical insulin-signaling cascade from excessive serine phosphorylation of IRS-1, possibly as a consequence of immunosuppressive therapy and hyperinsulinemia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism
  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / blood
  • Female
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins
  • Insulin Resistance*
  • Kidney Transplantation
  • Male
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism*
  • Pancreas Transplantation*
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • Serine / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / physiology

Substances

  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified
  • IRS1 protein, human
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Serine
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
  • Glucose