Increased unbound retinol-binding protein 4 concentration induces apoptosis through receptor-mediated signaling

J Biol Chem. 2012 Mar 23;287(13):9694-9707. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M111.301721. Epub 2012 Feb 3.

Abstract

The increase of apo-/holo-retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) concentrations has been found in subjects with renal dysfunction and even in diabetic patients with microalbuminuria. Holo-RBP4 is recognized to possess cytoprotective function. Therefore, we supposed that the relative increase in apo-RBP4 might induce cell damage. In this study, we investigated the signal transduction that activated apoptosis in response to the increase of apo-/holo-RBP4 concentration. We found that increase of apo-/holo-RBP4 concentration ratio delayed the displacement of RBP4 with "stimulated by retinoic acid 6" (STRA6), enhanced Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/STAT5 cascade, up-regulated adenylate cyclase 6 (AC6), increased cAMP, enhanced JNK1/p38 cascade, suppressed CRBP-I/RARα (cellular retinol-binding protein/retinoic acid receptor α) expression, and led to apoptosis in HK-2 and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Furthermore, STRA6, JAK2, STAT5, JNK1, or p38 siRNA and cAMP-PKA inhibitor reversed the repression of CRBP-I/RARα and apoptosis in apo-RBP4 stimulation. In conclusion, this study indicates that the increase of apo-/holo-RBP4 concentration may influence STRA6 signaling, finally causing apoptosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenylyl Cyclases / genetics
  • Adenylyl Cyclases / metabolism
  • Apoptosis / physiology*
  • Cell Line
  • Cyclic AMP / genetics
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism
  • Diabetes Complications / genetics
  • Diabetes Complications / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Janus Kinase 2 / genetics
  • Janus Kinase 2 / metabolism
  • Kidney Diseases / genetics
  • Kidney Diseases / metabolism
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / physiology*
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 8 / genetics
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 8 / metabolism
  • Proteinuria / genetics
  • Proteinuria / metabolism
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid / genetics
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid / metabolism
  • Retinoic Acid Receptor alpha
  • Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma / genetics
  • Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma / metabolism*
  • STAT5 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • STAT5 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Up-Regulation / physiology
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / genetics
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • Membrane Proteins
  • RARA protein, human
  • RBP4 protein, human
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid
  • Retinoic Acid Receptor alpha
  • Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma
  • STAT5 Transcription Factor
  • STRA6 protein, human
  • Cyclic AMP
  • JAK2 protein, human
  • Janus Kinase 2
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 8
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Adenylyl Cyclases
  • adenylyl cyclase 6