Cover Story Current Issue

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) are known as incretins, which are released from the gut into the bloodstream postprandially and enhance glucose-dependent insulin secretion via activation of the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and the GIP receptor (GIPR), respectively. Several GLP-1R agonists (GLP-1RA) with improved pharmacokinetic properties have been developed and are currently in clinical use to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. In addition to improving glucose metabolism, GLP-1RAs potently suppress appetite and body weight. These anorectic and body weight-lowering effects are thought to be mediated by central mechanisms, as indicated also by human studies. However, the neuronal substrates that mediate these effects are still poorly understood.

Alessia Costa, Minrong Ai, Nicolas Nunn, Isabella Culotta, ... Giuseppe D'Agostino

Full text

 

Current Issue

In vivo metabolic effects after acute activation of skeletal muscle Gs signaling

Jaroslawna Meister, Derek B.J. Bone, Jonas R. Knudsen, Luiz F. Barella, ... Jürgen Wess

Objective

The goal of this study was to determine the glucometabolic effects of acute activation of Gs signaling in skeletal muscle (SKM) in vivo and its contribution to whole-body glucose homeostasis.

Methods

To address this question, we studied mice that express a Gs-coupled designer G protein-coupled receptor (Gs-DREADD or GsD) selectively in skeletal muscle. We also identified two Gs-coupled GPCRs that are endogenously expressed by SKM at relatively high levels (β2-adrenergic receptor and CRF2 receptor) and studied the acute metabolic effects of activating these receptors in vivo by highly selective agonists (clenbuterol and urocortin 2 (UCN2), respectively).

Results

Acute stimulation of GsD signaling in SKM impaired glucose tolerance in lean and obese mice by decreasing glucose uptake selectively into SKM. The acute metabolic effects following agonist activation of β2-adrenergic and, potentially, CRF2 receptors appear primarily mediated by altered insulin release. Clenbuterol injection improved glucose tolerance by increasing insulin secretion in lean mice. In SKM, clenbuterol stimulated glycogen breakdown. UCN2 injection resulted in decreased glucose tolerance associated with lower plasma insulin levels. The acute metabolic effects of UCN2 were not mediated by SKM Gs signaling.

Conclusions

Selective activation of Gs signaling in SKM causes an acute increase in blood glucose levels. However, acute in vivo stimulation of endogenous Gs-coupled receptors enriched in SKM has only a limited impact on whole-body glucose homeostasis, most likely due to the fact that these receptors are also expressed by pancreatic islets where they modulate insulin release.

Articles in Press

In vivo metabolic effects after acute activation of skeletal muscle Gs signaling

Jaroslawna Meister, Derek B.J. Bone, Jonas R. Knudsen, Luiz F. Barella, ... Jürgen Wess

Objective

The goal of this study was to determine the glucometabolic effects of acute activation of Gs signaling in skeletal muscle (SKM) in vivo and its contribution to whole-body glucose homeostasis.

Methods

To address this question, we studied mice that express a Gs-coupled designer G protein-coupled receptor (Gs-DREADD or GsD) selectively in skeletal muscle. We also identified two Gs-coupled GPCRs that are endogenously expressed by SKM at relatively high levels (β2-adrenergic receptor and CRF2 receptor) and studied the acute metabolic effects of activating these receptors in vivo by highly selective agonists (clenbuterol and urocortin 2 (UCN2), respectively).

Results

Acute stimulation of GsD signaling in SKM impaired glucose tolerance in lean and obese mice by decreasing glucose uptake selectively into SKM. The acute metabolic effects following agonist activation of β2-adrenergic and, potentially, CRF2 receptors appear primarily mediated by altered insulin release. Clenbuterol injection improved glucose tolerance by increasing insulin secretion in lean mice. In SKM, clenbuterol stimulated glycogen breakdown. UCN2 injection resulted in decreased glucose tolerance associated with lower plasma insulin levels. The acute metabolic effects of UCN2 were not mediated by SKM Gs signaling.

Conclusions

Selective activation of Gs signaling in SKM causes an acute increase in blood glucose levels. However, acute in vivo stimulation of endogenous Gs-coupled receptors enriched in SKM has only a limited impact on whole-body glucose homeostasis, most likely due to the fact that these receptors are also expressed by pancreatic islets where they modulate insulin release.

2020 impact factor: 7.4

The 60 Second Metabolist

In this section authors briefly report on their work recently published in Molecular Metabolism.

Watch the most recent interviews by clicking the video still. 

Brice Emanuelli (full article)

Here is a video of Vimeo. When the iframes is activated, a connection to Vimeo is established and, if necessary, cookies from Vimeo are also used. For further information on cookies policy click here.

You are what you eat

Here is a video of Vimeo. When the iframes is activated, a connection to Vimeo is established and, if necessary, cookies from Vimeo are also used. For further information on cookies policy click here.