Role of the tumor suppressor IQGAP2 in metabolic homeostasis: Possible link between diabetes and cancer.

Deficiency of IQGAP2, a scaffolding protein expressed primarily in liver leads to rearrangements of hepatic protein compartmentalization and altered regulation of enzyme functions predisposing development of hepatocellular carcinoma and diabetes. Employing a systems approach with proteomics, metabolomics and fluxes characterizations, we examined the effects of IQGAP2 deficient proteomic changes on cellular metabolism and the overall metabolic phenotype. Iqgap2-/- mice demonstrated metabolic inflexibility, fasting hyperglycemia and obesity. Such phenotypic characteristics were associated with aberrant hepatic regulations of glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis, lipid homeostasis and futile cycling corroborated with corresponding proteomic changes in cytosolic and mitochondrial compartments. IQGAP2 deficiency also led to truncated TCA-cycle, increased anaplerosis, increased supply of acetyl-CoA for de novo lipogenesis, and increased mitochondrial methyl-donor metabolism necessary for nucleotides synthesis. Our results suggest that changes in metabolic networks in IQGAP2 deficiency create a hepatic environment of a 'pre-diabetic' phenotype and a predisposition to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) which has been linked to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Genetic modification of the heart: transgenic modification of cardiac lipid and carbohydrate utilization.

Many recent advances in cardiovascular research have been made possible by the use of transgenic technology. This review will discuss a number of mouse models where transgenic technology has been utilized to alter expression of genes involved in cardiac uptake and metabolism of either lipid or carbohydrate. Particular attention will be paid to the proteins which regulate (1) carbohydrate and lipid transport into cardiomyocytes and (2) the subsequent metabolic process which occur within the cytosol. These steps are important in determining substrate availability for mitochondrial oxidative metabolism. The heart relies predominantly on fatty acids as its major fuel supply, while glucose and lactate provide a small percentage. Under certain conditions, this balance becomes altered such that the heart relies more on glucose, as seen in pathological hypertrophy or may rely almost solely on fatty acids, as observed in cardiac tissue of animal models of diabetes. Initially this switch in metabolic substrate provides adequate energy to maintain normal cardiac function however with time diastolic dysfunction and cardiac failure often occur associated with depletion in high-energy phosphates. The creation of transgenic mice with altered expression of genes involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism have provided a unique insight into the fine balance which exits in the mouse heart to maintain energy status and cardiac function. The models discussed in this review define both transport and cytosolic metabolism of lipid and carbohydrate as key cellular processes in the regulation of cardiac function and the pathogenesis of cardiac disease.

Early growth restriction leads to down regulation of protein kinase C zeta and insulin resistance in skeletal muscle.

Epidemiological studies have revealed a relationship between early growth restriction and the subsequent development of type 2 diabetes. A rat model of maternal protein restriction has been used to investigate the mechanistic basis of this relationship. This model causes insulin resistance and diabetes in adult male offspring. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of early growth restriction on muscle insulin action in late adult life. Rats were fed either a 20% or an isocaloric 8% protein diet during pregnancy and lactation. Offspring were weaned onto a 20% protein diet and studied at 15 Months of age. Soleus muscle from growth restricted offspring (LP) (of dams fed 8% protein diet) had similar basal glucose uptakes compared with the control group (mothers fed 20% protein diet). Insulin stimulated glucose uptake into control muscle but had no effect on LP muscle. This impaired insulin action was not related to changes in expression of either the insulin receptor or glucose transporter 4 (GLUT 4). However, LP muscle expressed significantly less (P<0.001) of the zeta isoform of protein kinase C (PKC zeta) compared with controls. This PKC isoform has been shown to be positively involved in GLUT 4-mediated glucose transport. Expression levels of other isoforms (betaI, betaII, epsilon, theta) of PKC were similar in both groups. These results suggest that maternal protein restriction leads to muscle insulin resistance. Reduced expression of PKC zeta may contribute to the mechanistic basis of this resistance.