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Differential targeting of glucose transporter isoforms heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes.

We have examined the subcellular distribution of three members of the human glucose transporter family expressed in oocytes from Xenopus laevis. Following injection of in vitro-transcribed mRNA encoding the transporter isoform to be studied, we have determined the subcellular localization of the expressed protein by immunofluorescence and by subcellular fractionation coupled with immunoblotting using specific anti-peptide antibodies. We have shown that both the liver-type (GLUT 2) and brain-type (GLUT 3) glucose transporters are expressed predominantly in the plasma membranes of oocytes, and in both cases high levels of glucose transport activity are exhibited. In contrast, the insulin-regulatable glucose transporter (GLUT 4) is localized predominantly to an intracellular membrane pool, and the levels of transport activity recorded in oocytes expressing GLUT 4 are correspondingly lower. The localization of the different transporter isoforms to distinct subcellular fractions mirrors the situation observed in their native cell type and thus demonstrates that oocytes may prove to be a useful system with which to study the targeting signals for this important class of membrane proteins. In addition, the determination of the amounts of the transporters expressed per oocyte together with a knowledge of their Km values has allowed us to estimate the turnover numbers of these transporters. Insulin was without effect on glucose transport in oocytes expressing any of these transporter isoforms. Microinjection of guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate into oocytes expressing GLUT 4 was also without effect on the transport rate.

Animals↗

Multiple roles of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in regulation of glucose transport, amino acid transport, and glucose transporters in L6 skeletal muscle cells.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3k) activity is required for the insulin stimulation of glucose transport in adipocytes and Chinese hamster ovary cells. Wortmannin (WM), an inhibitor of PI3k, inhibits the stimulation of glucose transport by insulin and the gain of glucose transporters at the cell surface. However, the effect of inhibition of PI3k on the maintenance of the basal and the insulin-stimulated glucose transport and on the intracellular donor pool of glucose transporters has not been clarified. Here we show that in L6 skeletal muscle cells in culture WM significantly inhibits the basal PI3k activity (by 40%), decreases the levels of phosphatidylinositol 3,4-phosphate and 3,4,5-phosphate (by about 50%) and abolishes the activation of the enzyme by insulin. WM inhibited the basal rate of transport of glucose (by 45%) and of amino acids through system A (by 25%) and abolished their stimulation by insulin. Insulin caused a transient increase in PI3k activity and PI3k products that returned to basal levels within 40 min, whereas glucose and amino acid transport remained elevated. Under these conditions, WM reduced the rate of glucose and amino acid transport back to basal levels. In unstimulated cells, WM decreased significantly the GLUT4 glucose transporter content at the plasma membrane and prevented the ability of insulin to recruit transporters to this membrane. Interestingly, the intracellular pools of the GLUT3 and GLUT4 glucose transporters were significantly reduced in response to WM treatment alone. We conclude that in muscle cells PI3k activity is required to maintain basal and insulin-stimulated glucose and amino acid transport, as well as to develop the stimulation of the two transport processes in response to the hormone. We hypothesize that PI3k, likely through production of phosphatidylinositol 3,4-phosphate and 3,4,5-phosphate, regulates the basal plasma membrane glucose transporter recycling and the organization of the transporter intracellular pool, in addition to being an insulin signal.

Amino Acids↗

Effects of chronic undernutrition on glucose uptake and glucose transporter proteins in rat heart.

The high energy demands of myocardium are met through the metabolism of lipids and glucose. Importantly, enhanced glucose utilization rates are crucial adaptations of the cardiac cell to some pathological conditions, such as hypertrophy and ischemia, but the effects of undernutrition on heart glucose metabolism are unknown. Our previous studies have shown that undernutrition increases insulin-induced glucose uptake by skeletal muscle. Consequently, we considered the possibility of a similar adaptation in the heart. With this aim, undernourished rats both in the basal state and after euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamps were used to determine the following parameters in myocardium: glucose uptake, glucose transporter (GLUT) content, and some key components of the insulin signaling cascade. Heart membranes were prepared by subcellular fractionation in sucrose gradients. Although GLUT-4, GLUT-1, and GLUT-3 proteins and GLUT-4/1 mRNAs were reduced by undernutrition, basal and insulin-stimulated 2-deoxyglucose uptake were significantly enhanced. Phosphoinositol 3-kinase activity remained greater than control values in both conditions. The abundance of p85alpha and p85beta regulatory subunits of phosphoinositol 3-kinase was increased as was phospho-Akt during hyperinsulinemia. These changes seem to improve the insulin stimulus of GLUT-1 translocation, as its content was increased at the surface membrane. Such adaptations associated with undernutrition must be crucial to improvement of cardiac glucose uptake.

Animals↗

An inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase prevents insulin-stimulated glucose transport but not glucose transporter translocation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and L6 myotubes.

The precise mechanisms underlying insulin-stimulated glucose transport still require investigation. Here we assessed the effect of SB203580, an inhibitor of the p38 MAP kinase family, on insulin-stimulated glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and L6 myotubes. We found that SB203580, but not its inactive analogue (SB202474), prevented insulin-stimulated glucose transport in both cell types with an IC50 similar to that for inhibition of p38 MAP kinase (0.6 microM). Basal glucose uptake was not affected. Moreover, SB203580 added only during the transport assay did not inhibit basal or insulin-stimulated transport. SB203580 did not inhibit insulin-stimulated translocation of the glucose transporters GLUT1 or GLUT4 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes as assessed by immunoblotting of subcellular fractions or by immunofluorescence of membrane lawns. L6 muscle cells expressing GLUT4 tagged on an extracellular domain with a Myc epitope (GLUT4myc) were used to assess the functional insertion of GLUT4 into the plasma membrane. SB203580 did not affect the insulin-induced gain in GLUT4myc exposure at the cell surface but largely reduced the stimulation of glucose uptake. SB203580 had no effect on insulin-dependent insulin receptor substrate-1 phosphorylation, association of the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase with insulin receptor substrate-1, nor on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, Akt1, Akt2, or Akt3 activities in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In conclusion, in the presence of SB203580, insulin caused normal translocation and cell surface membrane insertion of glucose transporters without stimulating glucose transport. We propose that insulin stimulates two independent signals contributing to stimulation of glucose transport: phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase leads to glucose transporter translocation and a pathway involving p38 MAP kinase leads to activation of the recruited glucose transporter at the membrane.

3-O-Methylglucose↗

Human rhabdomyosarcoma cells retain insulin-regulated glucose transport activity through glucose transporter 1.

We evaluated the expression of glucose transporter (glut) isoforms and its function in RD cells, human rhabdomyosarcoma, which retain the potential to differentiate into muscle. Gluts 1, 3, and 4 were expressed in RD cells, as detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemistry. Supraphysiological concentration (1 microM) of insulin treatment increased 2-deoxy glucose transport by up to 1.68-fold together with concomitant tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor beta subunit and of insulin receptor substrate 1. Suppression of glut 1 mRNA by 38% by antisense oligonucleotide transfection led to a reduction of basal and insulin-stimulated 2-deoxy glucose transport by 38 and 55%, respectively. Suppression of gluts 3 and 4 by antisense oligonucleotide transfection did not affect both basal and insulin-stimulated 2-deoxy glucose transport. Thus, glut 1 accounts for the major part of basal and insulin-stimulated glucose transport in RD cells. Next, we transfected expression vectors carrying human gluts 1 and 4 cDNAs into RD cells to add further support for the role of glut 1 in glucose transport. Overexpression of glut 1 stimulated basal and insulin-stimulated 2-deoxy glucose transport by 1.66- and 1.43-fold, respectively. Glut 4 overexpression did not affect basal and insulin-stimulated 2-deoxy glucose transport. Western blot analysis using glut 1 antibody showed that glut 1 was redistributed from intracellular membrane to plasma membrane. These observations support the notion that RD cells, with the potential to differentiate into muscle, retain insulin responsiveness. As human muscle cell lines are not available at this point, RD cells can serve as a useful alternative to human muscle for studies related to insulin signal transduction and glucose transport.

3-O-Methylglucose↗

The effects of phenytoin and its metabolite 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenylhydantoin on cellular glucose transport.

Glucose is the principal fuel for brain metabolism and its movement across the blood-brain barrier depends on Glut1. Impaired glucose transport to the brain may have deleterious consequences. For example, Glut1 deficiency syndrome (Glut1DS) is the result of heterozygous loss of function Glut1 mutation leading to energy failure of the brain and subsequently, epileptic encephalopathy. To preserve the integrity of the energy supply to the brain in patients with compromised glucose transport function, consumption of compounds with glucose transport inhibiting properties should be avoided. Phenytoin is a widely used anticonvulsant that affects carbohydrate metabolism. In this study, the hypothesis that phenytoin and its metabolite 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenylhydantoin (HPPH) affect cellular glucose transport was tested. With a focus on Glut1, the effects of phenytoin and HPPH on cellular glucose transport were studied. Glucose uptake assay measuring the zero-trans influx of radioactive-labeled glucose analogues showed that phenytoin and HPPH did not exert immediate effects on erythrocyte Glut1 activity or glucose transport in Hs68 control fibroblasts, Glut1DS primary fibroblasts isolated from two patients, or in rat primary astrocytes. Prolonged exposure to the two compounds could stimulate glucose transport by up to 30-60% over the control level (p <0.05) in Hs68 and Glut1DS fibroblasts as well as in rat astrocytes. The stimulation of glucose transport by HPPH was dose-dependent and accompanied by an up-regulation of GLUT1 mRNA expression (p <0.05). In conclusion, phenytoin and HPPH do not compromise cellular glucose transport. Prolonged exposure to these compounds can modify carbohydrate homeostasis by up-regulating glucose transport in both normal and Glut1DS conditions in vitro.

3-O-Methylglucose↗

Effects of 2-deoxy-d-glucose on the functional state of the rat myoblast GLUT 1 transporter.

Based on the rationale that internalized 2-deoxy-D-glucose (dGlc) is toxic to cells, glucose transport (GLUT) defective myoblast mutants have been isolated by their ability to grow in glucose-free medium containing dGlc. Recent studies revealed that the GLUT 1 transport process was activated when GLUT 3-GLUT 4-mutants were grown in glucose-free medium. It was therefore puzzling why these GLUT3-GLUT4-myoblasts could survive in the presence of dGlc during the mutant selection process. The present study revealed that GLUT 1 transport affinity in dGlc-grown cells was at least four folds lower than that in control cells. This loss of GLUT 1 transport activity was apparent only after exposure to the toxic sugar analogues for more than 10 hrs. This dGlc-mediated effect was not due to competitive inhibition by the residual dGlc carried over from growth medium, changes in glycolytic enzymes, nor accumulation of the negatively charged dGlc-6-PO4. In fact, GLUT 1 transcript level was elevated in dGlc-treated cells. Both immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting studies indicated that the size of the GLUT 1 transporter in dGlc-grown myoblasts was reduced from 52 kDa to that of the unglycosylated form (38 kDa). These findings suggest that growth in the presence of dGlc inhibits glycosylation of the GLUT 1 transporter, thus reducing its transport affinity. This inability of the GLUT 1 transporter to take up dGlc may therefore explain why GLUT 3-GLUT 4-mutants are able to grow in the presence of the toxic dGlc during the mutant selection procedure.

3-O-Methylglucose↗

Estrogen augments glucose transporter and IGF1 expression in primate cerebral cortex.

Estrogen has many positive effects on neural tissue in experimental model systems, including stimulation of neurite growth and neurotransmitter synthesis and protection against diverse types of neural injury. In humans, estrogen treatment is reputed to protect against Alzheimer's disease. To investigate potential mediators of estrogen's action and determine whether selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) such as tamoxifen have estrogen-like effects in the primate brain, we evaluated the expression of glucose transporters and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) and its receptor in the frontal cortex of ovariectomized rhesus monkeys. We treated one group for 3 days with vehicle, another with 17 beta estradiol (E2), and a third with tamoxifen. The expression of facilitative glucose transporters (Gluts) 1, 3, and 4 was investigated using in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and immunoblot analysis. Gluts 3 and 4 were concentrated in cortical neurons and Glut1 in capillaries and glial cells. E2 treatment induced two- to fourfold increases in Glut3 and Glut4 mRNA levels and lesser but significant increases in Glut3 and 4 protein levels. E2 treatment induced an approximately 70% increase in parenchymal Glut1 mRNA levels, but did not appreciably affect vascular Glut1 gene expression. IGF1 and IGF1 receptor mRNAs were concentrated in cortical neurons in a distribution similar to Gluts 3 and 4. IGF1 mRNA levels were significantly increased in E2-treated animals but IGF1 receptor mRNA levels were not altered by hormone treatment. Tamoxifen increased cerebral cortical Glut3 and 4 mRNA levels, but did not affect Glut1, IGF1, or IGF1 receptor expression. This study provides novel data showing that Gluts 3 and 4 and IGF1 are coexpressed by primate cerebral cortical neurons, where their expression is enhanced by estrogen. These findings suggest that up-regulation of glucose transporter and IGF1 expression may contribute to estrogen's salutary effects on neural tissue. Tamoxifen, an antiestrogen at the breast, is shown to have estrogen-like effects on higher brain centers in the monkey, suggesting that some SERMs may share estrogen's neuroprotective potential for menopausal women.

Animals↗

Use of hexose transport mutants to examine the expression and properties of the rat myoblast GLUT 1 transport process.

Rat L6 myoblasts were recently shown to possess the GLUT 1, 3 and 4 transporters, and not the GLUT 2 isoform [1]. This investigation examined the expression and properties of the GLUT 1 isoform. GLUT 1 transcript level was significantly reduced in cells grown at high densities and during myogenic differentiation. A comparison of the GLUT 1 and 4 transcript levels in myogenesis-competent and impaired cells revealed an inverse relationship between these two isoforms. This relationship was confirmed by studies using two independent spontaneous GLUT 3- GLUT 4- mutants, M1 and M3. These mutants possessed very high level of the GLUT 1 isoform, but negligible amount of the GLUT 3 and 4 isoforms. GLUT 1 expression was also subject to positive regulation. Glucose starvation was found to increase not only the levels of the GLUT 1 transcript and transporter, but also the intrinsic activity of the GLUT 1 transporter. Studies with M1 and M3 mutants revealed that the GLUT 1 transporter was not functional in glucose-grown cells, even though it was present at a very high level in the plasma membrane. This transporter became functional when cells were starved for glucose. The functional GLUT 1 transporter had an apparent Km value of around 0.9 mM, and was sensitive to cytochalasin B, phloretin, phlorizin and pCMBS.

3-O-Methylglucose↗

Intra-uterine growth restriction differentially regulates perinatal brain and skeletal muscle glucose transporters.

Employing Western blot analysis, we investigated the effect of maternal uterine artery ligation causing uteroplacental insufficiency with asymmetrical intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) upon fetal (22d) and postnatal (1d, 7d, 14d and 21d) brain (Glut 1 and Glut 3) and skeletal muscle (Glut 1 and Glut 4) glucose transporter protein concentrations. IUGR was associated with a approximately 42% decline in fetal plasma glucose (p<0.05) and a approximately 25% decrease in fetal body weights (p<0.05) with no change in brain weights when compared to the sham operated controls (SHAM). In addition, IUGR caused a approximately 45% increase in fetal brain Glut 1 (55 kDa) with no change in Glut 3 (50 kDa) protein concentrations. This fetal brain Glut 1 change persisted, though marginal, through postnatal suckling stages of development (1d-21d), with no concomitant change in brain Glut 3 levels at day 1. In contrast, in the absence of a change in fetal skeletal muscle Glut 1 levels (48 kDa), a 70% increase was observed in the 1d IUGR with no concomitant change in either fetal or postnatal Glut 4 levels (45 kDa). The change in skeletal muscle Glut 1 levels normalized by d7 of age. We conclude that IUGR with hypoglycemia led to a compensatory increase in brain and skeletal muscle Glut 1 concentrations with a change in the brain preceding that of the skeletal muscle. Since Glut 1 is the isoform of proliferating cells, fetal brain weight changes were not as pronounced as the decline in somatic weight. The increase in Glut 1 may be protective against glucose deprivation in proliferating fetal brain cells and postnatal skeletal myocytes which exhibit 'catch-up growth', thereby preserving the specialized function mediated by Glut 3 and Glut 4 towards maintaining the intracellular glucose milieu.

Aging↗

Protein kinase Cdelta mediates insulin-induced glucose transport in primary cultures of rat skeletal muscle.

Insulin activates certain protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms that are involved in insulin-induced glucose transport. In this study, we investigated the possibility that activation of PKCdelta by insulin participates in the mediation of insulin effects on glucose transport in skeletal muscle. Studies were performed on primary cultures of rat skeletal myotubes. The role of PKCdelta in insulin-induced glucose uptake was evaluated both by selective pharmacological blockade and by over-expression of wild-type and point-mutated inactive PKCdelta isoforms in skeletal myotubes. We found that insulin induces tyrosine phosphorylation and translocation of PKCdelta to the plasma membrane and increases the activity of this isoform. Insulin-induced effects on translocation and phosphorylation of PKCdelta were blocked by a low concentration of rottlerin, whereas the effects of insulin on other PKC isoforms were not. This selective blockade of PKCdelta by rottlerin also inhibited insulin-induced translocation of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), but not glucose transporter 3 (GLUT3), and significantly reduced the stimulation of glucose uptake by insulin. When overexpressed in skeletal muscle, PKCdelta and PKCdelta were both active. Overexpression of PKCdelta induced the translocation of GLUT4 to the plasma membrane and increased basal glucose uptake to levels attained by insulin. Moreover, insulin did not increase glucose uptake further in cells overexpressing PKCdelta. Overexpression of PKCdelta did not affect basal glucose uptake or GLUT4 location. Stimulation of glucose uptake by insulin in cells overexpressing PKCdelta was similar to that in untransfected cells. Transfection of skeletal myotubes with dominant negative mutant PKCdelta did not alter basal glucose uptake but blocked insulin-induced GLUT4 translocation and glucose transport. These results demonstrate that insulin activates PKCdelta and that activated PKCdelta is a major signaling molecule in insulin-induced glucose transport.

Acetophenones↗

Glucose transporter expression in rat embryo and uterus during decidualization, implantation, and early postimplantation.

Efficient transfer of glucose from the mother to the embryonic compartment is crucial to sustain the survival and normal development of the embryo in utero, because the embryo's production of this primary substrate for oxidative metabolism is minimal. In the present study, the temporal sequence of expression of the sodium-independent facilitative glucose transporter isoforms GLUTs 1, 3, 4, and 5 was investigated in the developing rat uteroembryonic unit between conception and Gestational Day 8 using immunohistochemistry. The GLUTs 1, 3, and 4 were expressed in the embryonic tissues after the start of implantation, being colocalized in the parietal endoderm, visceral endoderm, primary ectoderm, extraembryonic ectoderm, and the ectoplacental cone. In the uterus, a faint GLUT1 labeling emerged, but not until Gestational Day 3, in the luminal epithelium, endometrial stroma, and decidual cells. The intensity of GLUT1 staining increased in the latter population with progressing decidualization. Endometrial glands and myometrial smooth muscle cells stained neither for GLUT1 nor for GLUT3 until postimplantation. During all developmental stages examined, GLUT4 was visualized throughout the pregnant rat uterus, as was GLUT3 (with the above-mentioned exceptions). The density of GLUT5 was generally less than the sensitivity of the immunohistochemical detection method in all tissues investigated. In conclusion, the data point to a significant expression of the high-affinity glucose transporters GLUTs 1, 3, and 4 in the rat uteroembryonic unit, providing supportive evidence for an important role of facilitative glucose diffusion during peri-implantation development.

Animals↗

Immunogold localization of high-affinity glucose transporter isoforms in normal rat kidney.

BACKGROUND: Facilitative glucose transporters (GLUT) have unique kinetic characteristics and distributions suited to the functions of the tissues in which they reside. However, little is known about their individual roles in renal glucose metabolism, and previous investigations of renal GLUT expression have been extensive only with respect to their mRNA levels. We provide here a complete analysis of three GLUT isoforms along the nephron using a sensitive immunodetection method. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Normal rat kidneys were harvested, fixed in paraformaldehyde, and embedded in either paraffin or resin as required for immunogold labeling of individual GLUT Isoforms 1, 3, and 4. Samples were evaluated by light microscopy and selected regions analyzed by high resolution optical scanning with computer-assisted detection of immunogold-labeled GLUT at the subcellular level. We describe, compare, and related to the local patterns of glucose metabolism the cellular and subcellular expression patterns of these GLUT along the nephron. RESULTS: GLUT1 was most intensely labeled in the medullary thick ascending limbs of Henle, cortical collecting ducts, and inner medullary collecting ducts. In contrast, GLUT3 was most prominent in the inner medullary collecting ducts and GLUT4 in medullary thick ascending limbs of Henle. All three GLUT were detected in glomerular tufts, and GLUT1 was also detected in parietal epithelial cells. The predominant subcellular distributions in tubule cells were: basolateral and basolateral/cytoplasmic for GLUT1; basolateral and cytoplasmic for GLUT3; and perinuclear/cytoplasmic for GLUT4. GLUT 1 and 3 expressions were confirmed in specific regions by immunoblotting. CONCLUSIONS: 1) GLUT 1, 3, and 4 are expressed in both glomeruli and renal tubules. 2) The unique GLUT expression patterns along the renal tubules suggests unique functional roles for these isoforms. 3) The renal cortex demonstrates lesser labeling intensity for the high-affinity GLUT compared with the medulla, where higher rates of glucose oxidation and glycolytic metabolism are paralleled by higher GLUT labeling intensities.

Animals↗

Gene expression of glucose transporter (GLUT) 1, 3 and 4 in bovine follicle and corpus luteum.

Glucose is the main energy substrate in the bovine ovary, and a sufficient supply of it is necessary to sustain the ovarian activity. Glucose cannot permeate the plasma membrane, and its uptake is mediated by a number of glucose transporters (GLUT). In the present study, we investigated the gene expression of GLUT1, 3 and 4 in the bovine follicle and corpus luteum (CL). Ovaries were obtained from Holstein x Japanese Black F1 heifers. Granulosa cells and theca interna layers were harvested from follicles classified into five categories by their physiologic status: follicular size (>or= 8.5 mm: dominant; < 8.5 mm: subordinate), ratio of estradiol (E(2)) to progesterone in follicular fluid (>or= 1: E(2) active;<1: E(2) inactive), and stage of estrous cycle (luteal phase, follicular phase). CL were also classified by the stage of estrous cycle. Expression levels of GLUT1, 3 and 4 mRNA were quantified by a real-time PCR. The mRNA for GLUT1 and 3 were detected in the bovine follicle and CL at comparable levels to those in classic GLUT-expressing organs such as brain and heart. Much lower but appreciable levels of GLUT4 were also detected in these tissues. The gene expression of these GLUT showed tissue- and stage-specific patterns. Despite considerable differences in physiologic conditions, similar levels of GLUT1, 3 and 4 mRNA were expressed in subordinate follicles as well as dominant E(2)-active follicles in both luteal and follicular phases, whereas a notable increase in the gene expression of these GLUT was observed in dominant E(2)-inactive follicles undergoing the atretic process. In these follicles, highly significant negative correlations were observed between the concentrations of glucose in follicular fluid and the levels of GLUT1 and 3 mRNA in granulosa cells, implying that the local glucose environment affects glucose uptake of follicles. These results indicate that GLUT1 and 3 act as major transporters of glucose while GLUT4 may play a supporting role in the bovine follicle and CL.

Animals↗

Physiological leukocytosis during pregnancy is associated with changes in glucose transporter expression of maternal peripheral blood granulocytes and monocytes.

PROBLEM: The scarce data on glucose transporter expression of leukocytes are contradictory and nothing is known about changes accompanying physiological leukocytosis during pregnancy, which imposes acute metabolic demands on the cells. METHOD OF STUDY: Cytospin preparations of intravascular leukocytes were searched immunocytochemically for the high affinity glucose transporters GLUT1, 3 and 4. Pregnancy-associated quantitative changes in transporter expression were assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Granulocytes and monocytes stained for GLUT1, 3 and 4. Major changes in cell surface transporter expression during pregnancy were a 36% (P < 0.05) down-regulation of granulocyte GLUT1 at term, and an increase in monocyte GLUT3 levels to 137% (P < 0.05), paralleled by a 24% (P < 0.05) decrease in GLUT4 content in second trimester. Apart from a minor subpopulation, lymphocytes were negative for these carriers. CONCLUSION: GLUT1, 3 and 4 are abundantly expressed in granulocytes and monocytes. The particular isoforms are differentially regulated during pregnancy, suggesting an individual functional significance.

Female↗

Sustained hypoglycemia affects glucose transporter expression of human blood leukocytes.

The scarce data available on leukocyte glucose transporter expression are contradictory and nothing is known about its regulation by glycemic state. Therefore, cytospin preparations of blood leukocytes were searched immunocytochemically for the high-affinity glucose transporters GLUT1, 3, and 4. Hypoglycemia-associated quantitative changes in transporter expression were assessed by flow cytometry. Granulocytes and monocytes stained for GLUT1, 3, and 4. Granulocyte GLUT4 levels were increased by 73% (P < 0.05) under hypoglycemic conditions, which was paralleled by a reduction in GLUT1 and a rise in GLUT3. In monocytes, GLUT3 was elevated by 134% (P < 0.05), whereas GLUT1 and GLUT4 remained unaffected upon hypoglycemia. Apart from a minor subpopulation, lymphocytes were negative for these carriers. In conclusion, GLUT1, 3, and 4 are abundantly expressed in granulocytes and monocytes. The differential response of individual isoforms to hypoglycemia may represent a mechanism to protect the cells from the stress of glucose deprivation.

Adaptation, Biological↗

Facilitative glucose transporter gene expression in human lymphocytes, monocytes, and macrophages: a role for GLUT isoforms 1, 3, and 5 in the immune response and foam cell formation.

Cellular glucose uptake is mediated by a family of facilitative glucose transporters (GLUT) exhibiting differences in kinetics, substrate specificity, and tissue-specific expression. GLUT isoform expression has not been comprehensively studied in human leukocytes, which participate in immune and inflammatory responses and are critical for host defense. Therefore, we studied the regulated expression of GLUT 1-5 mRNA and protein in isolated human lymphocytes and monocytes and in human THP-1 macrophages and foam cells. Lymphocytes expressed GLUT 1 and GLUT 3 proteins, and cellular levels of both isoforms were augmented 3.5- to 6-fold following activation by phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Monocytes expressed 8.4-fold more GLUT 3 protein and 88% less GLUT 1 than lymphocytes, and activation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) led to a 1.9-fold increase in GLUT 1. At the level of mRNA expression, GLUT 3 mRNA was the most prevalent GLUT mRNA species in monocytes, while lymphocytes expressed equal numbers of GLUT 1 and GLUT 3 transcripts. Differentiation of THP-1 monocytes into macrophages was associated with marked induction of GLUT 3 and GLUT 5 protein expression, and high levels of GLUT 1, GLUT 3, and GLUT 5 were maintained after transformation to foam cells. GLUT 5 mRNA was expressed in 2-fold greater abundance in macrophages and foam cells than that observed for GLUT 1 mRNA, while the level of GLUT 3 mRNA was intermediate. This facilitative glucose transporters are differentially expressed and regulated in human leukocytes in a pattern that could facilitate cellular functions. Speculatively, high GLUT 1 and GLUT 3 expression could provide cellular fuel for the immune response, and high levels of high-affinity GLUT 3 in macrophages might allow the cell to compete with pathogens for hexoses, even in the presence of low interstitial glucose concentrations. Ample expression of GLUT 1 and GLUT 3 in foam cells could also provide hexose substrates and promote lipid loading. The role for high levels of the fructose transporter GLUT 5 in macrophages and foam cells is unknown since interstitial and circulating fructose concentrations are low in these cells.

Cell Differentiation↗

Expression of fructose sensitive glucose transporter in the brains of fructose-fed rats.

Glucose transporters play a critical role in mammalian brain energy metabolism because glucose is the principal brain energy source and these transporters promote glucose movement into neural cells. When glucose is unavailable, fructose can serve as an alternative energy source. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction and actin as a reference mRNA, we investigated the impact of fructose feeding on rat brain and other tissue mRNA expression of glucose transporter 5 which has high affinity for fructose. Brain mRNA levels of glucose transporter 5 increased 1.5-fold in 35-day old rats after 7 days of fructose feeding compared with controls, whereas it increased 2.5-fold in jejunum. Semi-quantitative analysis of protein expression by immunofluorescence of glucose transporter 5 in rat hippocampi indicated a 2.4-fold increase. We demonstrated the specificity of fructose feeding on glucose transporter 5 expression by showing that the expression of the neuronal glucose transporter 3 and insulin-regulated glucose transporter 4 were unaffected. In addition, the expression of glucose transporter 5 increased in fructose fed older adult rats (8-months and 12-months old) when compared with controls. These results suggest that short-term fructose feeding increases the expression of glucose transporter 5 in both young and aging adult rats. Increased brain expression of glucose transporter 5 is likely to be important in the role of fructose as an alternative energy source.

Age Factors↗