Depletion of mitochondrial DNA alters glucose metabolism in SK-Hep1 cells

Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2001 Jun;280(6):E1007-14. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.2001.280.6.E1007.

Abstract

Maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been suggested to be a genetic factor for diabetes. Reports have shown a decrease of mtDNA content in tissues of diabetic patients. We investigated the effects of mtDNA depletion on glucose metabolism by use of rho(0) SK-Hep1 human hepatoma cells, whose mtDNA was depleted by long-term exposure to ethidium bromide. The rho(0) cells failed to hyperpolarize mitochondrial membrane potential in response to glucose stimulation. Intracellular ATP content, glucose-stimulated ATP production, glucose uptake, steady-state mRNA and protein levels of glucose transporters, and cellular activities of glucose-metabolizing enzymes were decreased in rho(0) cells compared with parental rho(+) cells. Our results suggest that the quantitative reduction of mtDNA may suppress the expression of nuclear DNA-encoded glucose transporters and enzymes of glucose metabolism. Thus this may lead to diabetic status, such as decreased ATP production and glucose utilization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / metabolism*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / genetics
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / metabolism
  • Electron Transport Complex IV / genetics
  • Electron Transport Complex IV / metabolism
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Ethidium / pharmacology
  • Glucose / pharmacokinetics*
  • Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase / metabolism
  • Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacology
  • Insulin / pharmacology
  • Liver Neoplasms
  • Mitochondria / drug effects
  • Mitochondria / enzymology
  • Monosaccharide Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Monosaccharide Transport Proteins / metabolism*
  • Oxidative Phosphorylation / drug effects*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • DNA, Mitochondrial
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Insulin
  • Monosaccharide Transport Proteins
  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase
  • Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases
  • Electron Transport Complex IV
  • Ethidium
  • Glucose