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Biomedical subjects

C Leloup

Publications and source records attributed to C Leloup.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Immunocytochemical localization of the insulin-responsive glucose transporter 4 (Glut4) in the rat central nervous system.

We have previously reported that the insulin-responsive glucose transporter GLUT4 is strongly expressed by discrete areas of the rat brain (Leloup et al. [1996] Molec. Brain Res. 38:45-53). In the present study, a sensitive immunocytochemical technique has been used to analyze extensively the anatomical and ultrastructural localizations of GLUT4 in the rat central nervous system in order to gain insight into the physiological role of this transporter. We confirm that GLUT4 is expressed by numerous neurons of the brain and spinal cord, whereas glial cells are more scarcely labeled. In both light and electron microscopy, we observe that the immunoreactivity for GLUT4 is localized mainly in the somatodendritic portion of neurons, where some cisterns of rough endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomal rosettes, certain Golgi saccules, and some intracytoplasmic vesicles are labeled. In contrast, axons and nerve terminals are only occasionally immunostained in certain brain regions such as the neocortex and the ventricular surfaces for example. The GLUT4-immunoreactive structures appear concentrated and most prominently immunostained in motor areas, such as the sensorimotor cortex, most basal ganglia and related nuclei, the cerebellum and deep cerebellar nuclei, a number of reticular fields, motor nuclei of cranial nerves, and motor neurons of the ventral horn of the spinal cord. The labeled regions, which also include some sensory nuclei, are often those in which Vissing et al. ([1996] J. Cerebral Blood Flow Metab. 16:729-736) have shown that exercise stimulates local cerebral glucose utilization, so that GLUT4 might be involved in this effect. On the other hand, the fact that the anatomical localizations of GLUT4 reported here generally agree with the distribution of insulin- or insulin-receptor- related receptors is important since it indicates that the translocation of GLUT4 might also be regulated by insulin in the central nervous system.

Amygdala

Specific inhibition of GLUT2 in arcuate nucleus by antisense oligonucleotides suppresses nervous control of insulin secretion.

We previously demonstrated the presence of the glucose transporter GLUT2 in specific brain areas which are mainly involved in the control of fuel metabolism and feeding behavior, i.e., nuclei of the hypothalamus and of the anterior brainstem. We hypothesized that GLUT2 acts as a 'glucose sensor' in these areas, as already described in pancreatic beta cells. In order to test this hypothesis, we injected antisense unmodified oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) to GLUT2 into the arcuate nucleus. Antisense ODN efficiency on GLUT2 protein level was assessed on pancreatic islets in culture and they were shown to induce a 66% decrease in GLUT2 protein. Bilateral injections of GLUT2 antisense ODNs were performed twice daily over a two-day period in rats. Antisense ODNs induced a significant decline in body weight gain although total daily food intake was unchanged when compared both to control groups and to the period before treatment. Twenty hours after the last injection, anaesthetized rats received, via a catheter inserted into the carotid artery and directed towards the brain, a minute glucose load that by itself does not modify systemic blood glucose level but which induces increased insulinemia. This insulin response was completely abolished only in antisense-treated rats. These findings provide the first evidence for a physiological role of GLUT2 in the brain and support the hypothesis that this transporter is involved in a 'glucose sensing'

Animals

Developmental changes in integrin beta-subunits in rat cerebral cortex.

The present study was carried out to characterize the developmental expression of beta 1-, beta 5- and beta 6-integrin subunits in rat cerebral cortex. Using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, mRNA of the three beta-subunits were shown to be present at all developmental stages. Based on immunoblots, beta 1-subunit expression was decreased during cortical development from embryonic stages to adults. beta 6-subunit expression appeared only in adult cortex. beta 5-subunit expression did not change during development. These beta-subunits were expressed in cortical embryonic cells as revealed by immunological studies in vitro. beta 5 and beta 6 were also present in neuronal cells and in oligodendrocytes in adult cortex. Altogether, these results demonstrate that rat cerebral cortex expresses distinct integrin beta-subunits with different developmental profiles. This switch of beta-subunits may be an important mechanism for the regulation of cell behaviour during development.

Animals

Discrete brain areas express the insulin-responsive glucose transporter GLUT4.

Whether or not glucose utilization in the brain is insulin-dependent is still a controversial issue. We looked for the presence of the insulin-sensitive glucose transporter (GLUT4) in rat brain and obtained the following results: (1) poly(A) RNAs from the hypothalamus and anterior medulla oblongata hybridize with a cDNA probe for GLUT4; (2) reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on RNA from various brain nuclei detects GLUT4 transcripts; (3) immunocytochemistry, using a polyclonal antibody to GLUT4; reveals a specific immunostaining pattern, whereas both electronic microscopy and double immunofluorescence staining, using a neurofilament protein marker, indicate a neuronal localization. These results are discussed in terms of a putative neuromodulator role of insulin, via glucose utilization, in brain areas involved in the regulation of fuel metabolism.

Amino Acid Sequence

Changes in autonomic nervous system activity and consecutive hyperinsulinaemia: respective roles in the development of obesity in rodents.

The autonomic nervous system plays a major role in metabolism regulation by modulating metabolic pathways directly or indirectly via control of hormone (particularly insulin) secretion in various organs and tissues. In addition, the system modulates the proliferation and differentiation of some cell types. This activity is directly controlled by certain brain areas, particularly those located in the hypothalamus. A feedback loop signals metabolic changes at the periphery to these brain areas. This review focuses on the role of the autonomic nervous system in the activity and plasticity of pancreas and adipose tissues under normal conditions or in obesity, with special attention to the importance of alterations in these functions.

Adipose Tissue

Glucose transporter 2 (GLUT 2): expression in specific brain nuclei.

In the brain, certain neurons appear to be sensitive to changes in local and/or plasma glucose concentration. The alterations in the electrical activity of these neurons probably depend on the existence of 'glucose sensors', which may be one of the glucose transporters described so far. Because of suitable kinetic properties, we hypothesized that the glucose transporter 2 (GLUT 2) may well constitute one of the cerebral 'glucose sensors'. In this study, it was demonstrated, using the polymerase chain reaction, that GLUT 2 mRNAs are present in a limited number of brain nuclei, including the nucleus tractus solitarius, the motor nucleus of the vagus, the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus, the lateral hypothalamic area, the arcuate nucleus and the olfactory bulbs. These localizations were confirmed by immunocytochemistry, but the cerebral distribution of GLUT 2-like immunoreactivity was far larger than initially expected. Furthermore, electron microscopic observations showed that, within the regions examined, GLUT 2 was localized to a restricted population of astrocytes. The localization of GLUT 2 in regions previously connected with feeding behavior supports an indirect role for GLUT 2 in 'glucose sensing' in these specific cerebral structures.

Animals