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Changes in pulmonary expression of hexokinase and glucose transporter mRNAs in rats adapted to hyperoxia.

Impairment of lung aconitase activity, citric acid cycle, and mitochondrial respiration by hyperoxia necessitates the elevation of glycolysis for energy production and of pentose shunt activity for reducing equivalents. The molecular mechanisms that allow increased glucose utilization are unknown. Adult male and female rats were adapted to sublethal hyperoxia, equivalent to 83% oxygen at sea level, or air for 7 days. Lung RNA and protein increased in hyperoxia (197 and 57%, respectively), whereas total DNA was unchanged. In hyperoxia, lung total hexokinase (HK) activity increased threefold, and mRNAs for HK-II and -III were specifically upregulated. HK-I mRNA was unchanged. mRNAs for HK-II and -III gradually increased during the first 72 h in hyperoxia. HK-II mRNA was significantly elevated at 72 h, preceding changes in lung cell populations. Although virtually absent in air, HK-II activity was highly expressed in hyperoxia. Among lung glucose transporters, specific expression of mRNAs for GLUT-4 (insulin dependent) and sodium-glucose cotransporter-1 was decreased, whereas that for GLUT-1 was minimally changed. Adaptation to hyperoxia involves coordinated changes in gene expression for the proteins regulating pulmonary glucose transport.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Hypoxia induces hexokinase II gene expression in human lung cell line A549.

During adaptation to hypoxic and hyperoxic conditions, the genes involved in glucose metabolism are upregulated. To probe involvement of the transcription factor hypoxia-induced factor-1 (HIF-1) in hexokinase (HK) II expression in human pulmonary cells, A549 cells and small-airway epithelial cells (SAECs) were exposed to stimuli such as hypoxia, deferoxamine (DFO), and metal ions. The largest increase in HK-II (20-fold for mRNA and 2.5-fold for enzymatic activity) was observed in A549 cells when exposed to DFO. All stimuli selectively increased the 5.5-kb rather than 4-kb transcript in A549 cells. Cycloheximide and actinomycin D inhibited these responses. In addition, cells were transfected with luciferase reporter constructs driven by the full-length HK-II 5'-regulatory region (4.0 kb) or various deletions of that region. A549 cells transfected with the 4.0-kb construct and exposed to hypoxia or DFO increased their luciferase activity 7- and 10-fold, respectively, indicating that HK-II induction is, at least in part, due to increased gene transcription. Sixty percent of the inducible activity of the 4.0-kb construct was shown to reside within the proximal 0.5 kb. Additionally, cotransfection with a stable HIF-1 mutant and the 4.0-kb promoter construct resulted in increased luciferase activity under normoxic conditions. These results strongly suggest that HK-II is selectively regulated in pulmonary cells by a HIF-1-dependent mechanism.

Cell Line↗

Glucokinase and hexokinase expression and activities in rainbow trout tissues: changes with food deprivation and refeeding.

The expression and activities of glucokinase (GK) and hexokinase (HK) were assessed in different tissues of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) under different feeding conditions (fed, fasted for 14 days, and refed for 7 days). Two different HK-I cDNAs were identified with different tissue distributions. One transcript named heart or H-HK-I was observed in the four brain regions assessed, white muscle, kidney, and gills but not in liver or erythrocytes. A second transcript named liver or L-HK-I was found in all tissues surveyed. GK mRNA was identified only in liver and the four brain regions. GK expression was altered by feeding conditions, especially in liver and hypothalamus where food deprivation decreased and re-feeding increased expression; changes in expression reflected activity changes and changes in tissue glycogen levels. In contrast, feeding conditions did not alter expression of either HK-I transcript but did alter tissue HK activities. The reduced phosphorylating capacity noted with food deprivation correlates primarily with changes in tissue HK, whereas increased capacity, as with refeeding, was associated with changes in GK; these changes fit with the different K(m) values of the GK and HK enzymes. These results provide evidence for the hypothalamus acting as a glucosensor in trout, as hyperglycemia produced increased GK expression and activity, as well as increased glycogen levels. Thus, even though trout use glucose poorly, none of the parameters tested here relate to this inability to use glucose and suggest that, at least, rainbow trout, if given an appropriate carbohydrate diet, could metabolically adjust to such a diet.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Properties of pig mature erythrocyte hexokinase.

Previous studies have demonstrated the presence of two type III hexokinase isozymes in pig mature erythrocytes. The prevalence of a specific isozyme species is an age-dependent phenomenon. The mature erythrocyte of young adult pigs (less than 6 mo old) possess an isozyme that has an apparent Km for glucose that is lower than in adult pigs. The data in this report suggest several basic differences between the two isozymes. D-Mannoheptulose, a structural analogue of glucose, was observed to differentially inhibit the isozymes. The young adult isozyme tended to be heat sensitive when compared with adult isozymes. Carboxypeptidase B and trypsin inhibited the activity of both isozymes, but the young adult isozyme was most dramatically affected by carboxypeptidase B. When the two isozymes were incubated in the presence of two sulfhydryl group inhibitors, HgCl2 and 5,5'-dithiobis [2-nitrobenzoic acid] (DTNB), the young adult isozyme exhibited the greater inhibition in the presence of DTNB. The data suggest that the young adult isozyme exhibited pronounced differences in activity when incubated in the presence of DTNB and carboxypeptidase B. These two agents may be used as probes to further characterize the properties of the two isozymes.

Age Factors↗

Increased hexokinase activity in forebrain of water-deprived and diabetes insipidus rats.

Metabolic studies using the 2-[14C]deoxy-D-glucose and cytochrome oxidase techniques have demonstrated changes in the activity of central sites associated with the hypothalamoneurohypophysial system in water-deprived (WD) and diabetes insipidus (DI) rats. Another method that may be used as an index of metabolic activity in discrete regions of the central nervous system is the measurement of hexokinase (HK) activity. This study describes changes in metabolic activity, as measured by HK histochemistry, in regions of the forebrain of WD and DI rats. Significant increases in HK activity measured by densitometric analysis were observed in the magnocellular component of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, supraoptic nucleus, nucleus circularis, and neurohypophysis of WD and DI rats. In addition, increased HK activity was observed in the preoptic area and subfornical organ of DI rats. These data demonstrate that metabolic changes occur in the forebrain of WD and DI rats within structures involved in body fluid regulation. The present study also demonstrates that HK histochemistry may be used as a marker of metabolic activity in discrete regions of the central nervous system.

Animals↗

Changes in forebrain hexokinase activity after aortic baroreceptor denervation.

Although forebrain structures have been implicated in both the development and maintenance of the elevated arterial pressure (AP) after aortic baroreceptor denervation, little is known about the location of central structures involved in the hypertensive process. In the present study, regions of the forebrain whose metabolic activity was altered after aortic baroreceptor denervation were functionally identified using hexokinase (HK) histochemistry in the rat. Three days after bilateral aortic depressor nerve (ADN) transection AP was significantly elevated compared with sham ADN-transected animals (143 +/- 1 and 122 +/- 2 mmHg, respectively). Significant increases in HK activity were observed in the magno- and parvocellular components of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, supraoptic nucleus, nucleus circularis, median preoptic nucleus, subfornical organ, and central nucleus of the amygdala in the ADN-transected animals. These data have demonstrated that removal of aortic baroreceptor afferent inputs alters the activity of forebrain structures previously implicated in regulation of body fluid balance and AP and suggest that these structures are involved in the hypertensive process after ADN transection.

Animals↗

Decreased hexokinase activity in paraventricular nucleus of adult SHR and renal hypertensive rats.

Metabolic activity was assessed in the brains of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) using the histochemical hexokinase (HK) technique and photodensitometric analysis. Of eight regions known to play a role in cardiovascular regulation, only the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH) exhibited alterations in HK activity. Significantly lower levels of HK activity in SHR than in control Sprague-Dawley and Wistar-Kyoto rats were measured in both the parvo- and magnocellular divisions of the PVH. No differences in HK activity were found in the anterior hypothalamic nucleus, posterior hypothalamic nucleus, supraoptic nucleus, subfornical organ, central nucleus of the amygdala, or the medial nucleus of the tractus solitarius of SHR. Similar results were obtained in renal hypertensive rats; furthermore, a positive correlation was found between levels of arterial pressure and densitometric readings. These latter results strongly suggest that metabolic alterations in the PVH of SHR are directly related to the increases in arterial pressure and are not due to the genetic makeup of SHR. In light of studies by others, the data from the present study have been interpreted to suggest that the decreases in metabolic activity in the PVH of the adult SHR are the result of a central attempt to bring the level of the arterial pressure down to normal levels and not to the altered activity of a region that might be acting to keep arterial pressure elevated.

Animals↗

Renal denervation alters forebrain hexokinase activity in neurogenic hypertensive rats.

The effect of afferent renal nerve transection (tARN) on the metabolic activity of forebrain structures the activity of which was altered after aortic depressor nerve transection (tADN) was studied using the hexokinase (HK) histochemical method in the rat. In tADN-sham (s) ARN rats, increases in HK activity were observed in the medial septum (MS), median preoptic nucleus (MnPO), subfornical organ, supraoptic nucleus, nucleus circularis (Nc), magnocellular, and dorsal and medial (mpPVH) parvocellular components of paraventricular nucleus, the anterior, lateral, and dorsomedial (DMH) hypothalamus, and in the central and medial nuclei of the amygdala. In addition, a decrease in HK activity was seen in the dorsal arcuate nucleus (dArc). Similarly, increases in HK activity were seen in sADN-tARN rats in all the above structures except MS, Nc, and DMH, where no changes were observed, and dArc, where an increase in HK activity was noted. The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, lateral preoptic nucleus (POA), and ventral (v) Arc also showed elevated HK activity. In contrast, the increased HK activity after either tADN or tARN alone was returned to levels not different from sADN-sARN rats in all structures in the tADN-tARN rats, except MnPO, mpPVH, and dArc, where the level of HK activity was only attenuated, and MS, POA, and vArc, where it remained elevated. These data suggest that similar forebrain structure are associated with the hypertension after tADN and are involved in the integration of ARN information and that these sites of interaction are involved in the maintenance and the reversal of the neurogenic hypertension.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Afferent Pathways↗

Regional alterations in hexokinase activity within rat brain during dehydration and rehydration.

Histochemical localization and photodensitometric quantification of the metabolic enzyme, hexokinase (HK), were used to study changes in brain metabolic activity that occur during the development of (5 days) and recovery from (7 days) dehydration. In water-deprived (WD) rats, HK activity increased after 2 days in the subfornical organ (SFO, 22%), nucleus circularis (NC, 36%), parvo- and magnocellular divisions of the paraventricular nucleus (pPVH, 17%; mPVH, 46%) and supraoptic nucleus (SON, 46%). Activity in SFO declined to control levels at 3 days but increased again thereafter. In pPVH, mPVH, and SON, activity was elevated until the end of the experiment. In NC, activity returned to control levels within 2 days of drinking by the rats. In salt-loaded (2% NaCl in water) rats, changes were similar to those of WD rats up to 2 days of dehydration (SFO, 25%; NC, 20%; pPVH, 16%; mPVH, 38%; SON, 50%). Activity in SFO and pPVH returned to control levels after 3 days and remained unchanged. In mPVH, SON, and NC, activity remained elevated and declined to control levels when salt-free water was provided. Results confirm that water deprivation is a stronger dehydrating stimulus than salt loading. In addition, metabolic activity, as measured by HK activity, varies daily during periods of dehydration and rehydration. These changes cannot always be predicted from results obtained only at the end of a period of dehydration. It is concluded that it is necessary to study dehydration-induced changes in brain metabolism on a daily basis to more fully understand the roles of discrete brain regions in the regulation of body fluids.

Animals↗

LPA is a novel lipid regulator of mesangial cell hexokinase activity and HKII isoform expression.

The prototypical extracellular phospholipid mediator, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), exhibits growth factor-like properties and represents an important survival factor in serum. This potent mesangial cell mitogen is increased in conditions associated with glomerular injury. It is also a known activator of the classic mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, which plays an important role in the regulation of mesangial cell hexokinase (HK) activity. To better understand the mechanisms coupling metabolism to injury, we examined the ability of LPA to regulate HK activity and expression in cultured murine mesangial cells. LPA increased total HK activity in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, with maximal increases of >50% observed within 12 h of exposure to LPA concentrations > or =25 microM (apparent ED(50) 2 microM). These effects were associated with increased extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activity and were prevented by the pharmacological inhibition of either MAPK/ERK kinase or protein kinase C (PKC). Increased HK activity was also associated with increased glucose (Glc) utilization and lactate accumulation, as well as selectively increased HKII isoform abundance. The ability of exogenous LPA to increase HK activity was both Ca2+ independent and pertussis toxin insensitive and was mimicked by LPA-generating phospholipase A2. We conclude that LPA constitutes a novel lipid regulator of mesangial cell HK activity and Glc metabolism. This regulation requires sequential activation of both Ca2+-independent PKC and the classic MAPK pathway and culminates in increased HKII abundance. These previously unrecognized metabolic consequences of LPA stimulation have both physiological and pathophysiological implications. They also suggest a novel mechanism whereby metabolism may be coupled to cellular injury via extracellular lipid mediators.

Animals↗

Regulation of mesangial cell hexokinase activity by PKC and the classic MAPK pathway.

Phorbol esters increase glucose (Glc) uptake and utilization in a variety of cell types, and, in some cells, these changes have been attributed to increased Glc phosphorylation and better functional coupling of hexokinases (HKs) to facilitative Glc transporters. Phorbol esters are potent mesangial cell mitogens, but their effects on HK-catalyzed Glc phosphorylation and metabolism are unknown. When examined in murine mesangial cells, active, but not inactive, phorbol esters increased HK activity in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Maximal induction of HK activity at 12-24 h was accompanied by parallel increases in both Glc utilization and lactate production and was blocked by the specific MEK1/2 inhibitor PD-98059 (IC(50) approximately 3 microM). This effect involved early activation of protein kinase C (PKC), MEK1/2, and ERK1/2, and the prolonged time course of subsequent HK induction was attributable, in part, to requirements for ongoing gene transcription and de novo protein synthesis. Mesangial cell HK activity thus exhibits novel regulatory behavior involving both PKC and classic MAPK pathway activation, suggesting specific mechanisms whereby PKC activation may influence Glc metabolism.

Animals↗

Transcription of the rat skeletal muscle hexokinase II gene is increased by acute exercise.

A single bout of acute exercise increases hexokinase (HK) II mRNA and enzyme activity [R. M. O'Doherty, D. P. Bracy, H. Osawa, D. H. Wasserman, and D. K. Granner. Am. J. Physiol. 266 (Endocrinol. Metab. 29): E171-E178, 1994]. The present study addresses the mechanism of the increase in HK II mRNA. Male rats undertook a single bout of treadmill exercise and were then killed immediately or after a predetermined recovery period. The gastrocnemius/plantaris muscle complex, composed of mixed fiber types, was excised; the nuclei were isolated; and HK I, HK II, beta-actin, and alpha-tubulin gene transcription rates were measured. Genomic DNA and plasmid DNA were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. Immediately after the cessation of 30, 45, or 90 min of exercise, HK II gene transcription rates were 1.3 +/- 0.3-,2.9 +/- 0.3-, and 4.0 +/- 0.6-fold, respectively, above those of sedentary controls. The increases after 45 and 90 min of exercise were statistically significant (P < 0.01). One hour after the cessation of 30 min of exercise, HK II gene transcription was significantly increased (1.40 +/- 0.03-fold; P < 0.05). At all time points, transcription of the HK I, beta-actin, and alpha-tubulin genes was unchanged. We conclude that the exercise-induced increase in HK II gene transcription appears to play a major role in the increase of HK II mRNA and activity.

Actins↗

Role of Ca(2+) fluctuations in L6 myotubes in the regulation of the hexokinase II gene.

Expression of the hexokinase (HK) II gene in skeletal muscle is upregulated by electrically stimulated muscle contraction and moderate-intensity exercise. However, the molecular mechanism by which this occurs is unknown. Alterations in intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis accompany contraction and regulate gene expression in contracting skeletal muscle. Therefore, as a first step in understanding the exercise-induced increase in HK II, the ability of Ca(2+) to increase HK II mRNA was investigated in cultured skeletal muscle cells, namely L6 myotubes. Exposure of cells to the ionophore A-23187 resulted in an approximately threefold increase in HK II mRNA. Treatment of cells with the extracellular Ca(2+) chelator EGTA did not alter HK II mRNA, nor was it able to prevent the A-23187-induced increase. Treatment of cells with the intracellular Ca(2+) chelator 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid tetra(acetoxymethyl) ester (BAPTA-AM) also resulted in an approximately threefold increase in HK II mRNA in the absence of ionophore, which was similar to the increase in HK II mRNA induced by the combination of BAPTA-AM and A-23187. In summary, a rise in intracellular Ca(2+) is not necessary for the A-23187-induced increase in HK II mRNA, and increases in HK II mRNA occur in response to treatments that decrease intracellular Ca(2+) stores. Depletion of intracellular Ca(2+) stores may be one mechanism by which muscle contraction increases HK II mRNA.

Animals↗

Activation of glycogen synthase kinase 3beta disrupts the binding of hexokinase II to mitochondria by phosphorylating voltage-dependent anion channel and potentiates chemotherapy-induced cytotoxicity.

Transformed cells are highly glycolytic and overexpress hexokinase II (HXK II). HXK II is capable of binding to the mitochondria through an interaction with the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC), an abundant outer mitochondrial membrane protein. The binding of HXK II to mitochondria has been shown to protect against loss of cell viability. Akt activation inhibits apoptosis partly by promoting the binding of HXK II to the mitochondria, but the mechanism through which Akt accomplishes this has not been characterized. The present report shows that Akt mediates the binding of HXK II to the mitochondria by negatively regulating the activity of glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK3beta). On inhibition of Akt, GSK3beta is activated and phosphorylates VDAC. HXK II is unable to bind VDAC phosphorylated by GSK3beta and dissociates from the mitochondria. Inhibition of Akt potentiates chemotherapy-induced cytotoxicity, an effect that is dependent on GSK3beta activation and its attendant ability to disrupt the binding of HXK II to the mitochondria. Moreover, agents that can force the detachment of HXK II from mitochondria in the absence of Akt inhibition or GSK3beta activation promoted a synergistic increase in cell killing when used in conjunction with chemotherapeutic drugs. Such findings indicate that interference with the binding of HXK II to mitochondria may be a practicable modality by which to potentiate the efficacy of conventional chemotherapeutic agents.

Calcium Channels↗

Expression of two type II-like tumor hexokinase RNA transcripts in cancer cell lines.

To maintain an elevated glycolytic rate, cancerous or proliferating cells alter the expression pattern of rate limiting glycolytic enzymes. Since glucose phosphorylation is the first step in glycolysis, hexokinase (HK), the first rate limiting glycolytic enzyme, can play a key regulatory role in this process. A low-Km, mitochondrial type II-like tumor HK is described as the predominant form in hepatomas. However, recent identification of a high-Km glucose phosphorylating activity in a range of cancer cells prompted us to characterize glucose phosphorylating enzymes of cancer cells at the molecular level. Highly sensitive reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction identifies an induction and overexpression of a type II-like tumor HK RNA in a range of cancer cell lines irrespective of tissue origin. In addition, we report here the identification of two RNA transcripts of type II-like tumor HK of approximately 5.5 and approximately 4.0 kb in these cancer cells lines, including muscle-derived L6 myoblast cells. Interestingly, under normal conditions muscle cells express only a approximately 5.5-kb type II HK RNA transcript. A significant amount of type I HK RNA was also found expressed in cancer cell lines. RNA encoding glucokinase (GK), the high-Km HK isozyme, was found only in cancer cells originating from liver and pancreas, which express GK under normal conditions.

Animals↗

Gene expression and biological significance of hexokinase in erythroid cells.

Red blood cells (RBCs) express two hexokinase (HK) isoforms, HK-I and HK-R. Both isozymes are generated from the HK-I gene by use of an alternate promoter. Gene structure and exon-intron organization of the HK-I gene have been elucidated from a sequence of three contiguous genomic clones localized at human chromosome 10. The sequence spans about 131 kb, and consists of 25 exons, which include 6 testis- and 1 erythroid-specific exons. HK-R has been shown as an erythroid-specific isozyme whose expression is turned on in the early erythroid-progenitors and is significantly induced during their differentiation. HK-R unfolds major HK activity in immature RBCs and is rapidly degraded during the maturation process. HK-I has a porin-binding domain in its N-terminus. Recent studies have shown that HK isozymes with a porin-binding domain play a role in mitochondrial integrity, suggesting that HK-I-deficient erythroid cells might be eliminated by apoptosis. It is most likely that RBCs are most labile as a result of HK-I/R deficiency since the HK-I gene but not the other isozyme genes are expressed in fetal and adult RBCs.

Anemia, Hemolytic↗

Regional mapping of hexokinase-1 within the short arm of chromosome 10.

Hexokinase-1 (HK1) activity was determined in red cells of 5 patients with partial duplications of chromosome 10, all of which involved the 10p region. In 4 patients the levels of HK1 activity were higher than the mean activity of controls, strongly indicating a triplex dosage effect. The most likely regional assignment for HK1 would appear to be 10p11.2.

Child↗

Frequency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, pyruvate kinase and hexokinase deficiency in the Saudi population.

The frequencies of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), pyruvate kinase (PK) and hexokinase (HK) deficiency were determined in different regions of Saudi Arabia. G-6-PD deficiency was found to range from 0.045 to 0.220 for the male and 0.020 to 0.125 for the female population. The highest frequencies were found to exist in the regions which are endemic to malarial parasite and have high frequencies of sickle cell and thalassaemia genes. Partial deficiencies of PK and HK were encountered in each region, however, no case of complete deficiency of these enzymes was identified. Further investigations are in progress to determine the clinical manifestations of enzyme deficiencies in the Saudi population.

Carbohydrate Metabolism, Inborn Errors↗