IRS2 and PTEN are key molecules in controlling insulin sensitivity in podocytes

Beatriz Santamaria, Eva Marquez, Abigail C Lay, Roseamarie M Carew, Águeda González-Rodríguez, Gavin I Welsh, Lan Ni, Lorna J Hale, Alberto Ortiz, Moin A Saleem, Derek P Brazil, Richard J Coward, Ángela M Valverde

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

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Abstract

Insulin signaling to the glomerular podocyte is important for normal kidney function and is implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN). This study determined the role of the insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS2) in this system. Conditionally immortalized murine podocytes were generated from wild-type (WT) and insulin receptor substrate 2-deficient mice (Irs2-/-). Insulin signaling, glucose transport, cellular motility and cytoskeleton rearrangement were then analyzed. Within the glomerulus IRS2 is enriched in the podocyte and is preferentially phosphorylated by insulin in comparison to IRS1. Irs2-/-podocytes are significantly insulin resistant in respect to AKT signaling, insulin-stimulated GLUT4-mediated glucose uptake, filamentous actin (F-actin) cytoskeleton remodeling and cell motility. Mechanistically, we discovered that Irs2 deficiency causes insulin resistance through up-regulation of the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). Importantly, suppressing PTEN in Irs2-/- podocytes rescued insulin sensitivity. In conclusion, this study has identified for the first time IRS2 as a critical molecule for sensitizing the podocyte to insulin actions through its ability to modulate PTEN expression. This finding reveals two potential molecular targets in the podocyte for modulating insulin sensitivity and treating DN.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3224–3234
Number of pages11
JournalBiochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Cell Research
Volume1853
Issue number12
Early online date16 Sept 2015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2015

Keywords

  • Diabetic nephropathy
  • Podocytes
  • Insulin signaling
  • Glucose uptake

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