Dysregulation of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c in livers of morbidly obese women is associated with altered suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 and signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 signaling.

We compared hepatic expression of genes that regulate lipid biosynthesis and metabolic signaling in liver biopsy specimens from women who were undergoing gastric bypass surgery (GBP) for morbid obesity with that in women undergoing ventral hernia repair who had experienced massive weight loss (MWL) after prior GBP. Comprehensive metabolic profiles of morbidly obese (MO) (22 subjects) and MWL (9 subjects) were also compared. Analyses of gene expression in liver biopsies from MO and MWL were accomplished by Affymetrix microarray, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting techniques.

Insulin enhances the biogenesis of nuclear sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1c by posttranscriptional down-regulation of Insig-2A and its dissociation from SREBP cleavage-activating protein (SCAP).SREBP-1c complex.

The regulation of lipid homeostasis by insulin is mediated in part by the enhanced transcription of the gene encoding sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c). The nascent SREBP-1c is embedded in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and must be transported to the Golgi where two sequential cleavages generate its NH(2)-terminal fragment, nSREBP-1c. We have shown recently that in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes, insulin rapidly and selectively stimulates proteolytic processing of the nascent SREBP-1c by enhancing the affinity of the SREBP cleavage-activating protein (SCAP).

Hepatic gene expression in morbidly obese women: implications for disease susceptibility.

The objective of this study was to determine the molecular bases of disordered hepatic function and disease susceptibility in obesity. We compared global gene expression in liver biopsies from morbidly obese (MO) women undergoing gastric bypass (GBP) surgery with that of women undergoing ventral hernia repair who had experienced massive weight loss (MWL) following prior GBP. Metabolic and hormonal profiles were examined in MO vs.

Insulin enhances post-translational processing of nascent SREBP-1c by promoting its phosphorylation and association with COPII vesicles.

The regulation of lipid homeostasis by insulin is mediated in part by the enhanced transcription of the gene encoding SREBP-1c (sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c). Nascent SREBP-1c is synthesized and embedded in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and must be transported to the Golgi in coatomer protein II (COPII) vesicles where two sequential cleavages generate the transcriptionally active NH(2)-terminal fragment, nSREBP-1c. There is limited indirect evidence to suggest that insulin may also regulate the posttranslational processing of the nascent SREBP-1c protein.

SREBPs: the crossroads of physiological and pathological lipid homeostasis.

The uptake, biosynthesis and metabolism of cholesterol and other lipids are exquisitely regulated by feedback and feed-forward pathways in organisms ranging from Caenorhabditis elegans to humans. As endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane-embedded transcription factors that are activated in the Golgi apparatus, sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) are central to the intracellular surveillance of lipid catabolism and de novo biogenesis. The biosynthesis of SREBP proteins, their migration from the ER to the Golgi compartment, intra-membrane proteolysis, nuclear translocation and trans-activation potential are tightly controlled in vivo.

Expression of the rat sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c gene in response to insulin is mediated by increased transactivating capacity of specificity protein 1 (Sp1).

The induction of genes involved in lipid biosynthesis by insulin is mediated in part by the sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c). SREBP-1c is directly regulated by insulin by transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms. Previously, we have demonstrated that the insulin-responsive cis-acting unit of the rat SREBP-1c promoter is composed of several elements that include a sterol regulatory element, two liver X receptor elements, and a number of conserved GC boxes.

Posttranslational processing of SREBP-1 in rat hepatocytes is regulated by insulin and cAMP.

Insulin and cAMP have opposing effects on de novo fatty acid synthesis in liver and in cultured hepatocytes mediated by sterol-regulatory element binding protein (SREBP). To determine whether these agents regulate the cleavage of full-length SREBP to generate the transcriptionally active N-terminal fragment (nSREBP) in primary rat hepatocytes, an adenoviral vector (Ad-SREBP-1a) was constructed to constitutively express full-length SREBP-1a. Insulin increased, and dibutyryl (db)-cAMP inhibited, generation of nSREBP-1a from its full-length precursor.

Arachidonic acid activation of translation initiation signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells.

To understand the role of arachidonic acid (AA) in regulating vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth, its effects on phosphorylation of Akt, S6K1, ribosomal protein S6, 4EBP1, and eIF4E were studied. Arachidonic acid stimulated phosphorylation of Akt, S6K1, ribosomal protein S6, 4EBP1, and eIF4E in a time-dependent manner in VSMC. Arachidonic acid stimulation of phosphorylation of the above signaling molecules is specific, as these events were not affected by other unsaturated or saturated fatty acids.

A requirement for calcium-independent phospholipase A2 in thrombin-induced arachidonic acid release and growth in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Thrombin is a potent mitogen for vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). To understand its mitogenic signaling events, we have studied the role of calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2). Without affecting its levels, thrombin increased iPLA2 activity in a time-dependent manner in VSMC.

Cytosolic phospholipase A2 is an effector of Jak/STAT signaling and is involved in platelet-derived growth factor BB-induced growth in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) is a potent mitogen and chemoattractant for vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). To understand its mitogenic and chemotactic signaling events, we studied the role of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)) and the Jak/STAT pathway. PDGF-BB induced the expression and activity of cPLA(2) in a time-dependent manner in VSMC.

Thiol alkylation inhibits the mitogenic effects of platelet-derived growth factor and renders it proapoptotic via activation of STATs and p53 and induction of expression of caspase1 and p21(waf1/cip1).

Thiols provide the major intracellular redox milieu and can undergo reversible oxidation and reduction. To understand the role of thiols in redox signaling events, we have studied the effect of N-ethylmaleimide, a specific thiol alkylating agent, on platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB)-induced mitogenesis in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Thiol alkylation inhibited PDGF-BB-induced expression of the Fos and Jun family proteins and AP-1 activity in VSMC.

5(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid stimulates DNA synthesis in human microvascular endothelial cells via activation of Jak/STAT and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signaling, leading to induction of expression of basic fibroblast growth factor 2.

To understand the role of eicosanoids in angiogenesis, we have studied the effect of lipoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid on human microvascular endothelial cell (HMVEC) DNA synthesis. Among the various lipoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid tested, 5(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5(S)-HETE) induced DNA synthesis in HMVEC. 5(S)-HETE also stimulated Jak-2, STAT-1, and STAT-3 tyrosine phosphorylation and STAT-3-DNA binding activity.

A potential role for nuclear factor of activated T-cells in receptor tyrosine kinase and G-protein-coupled receptor agonist-induced cell proliferation.

We have studied the role of nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) transcription factors in the induction of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth by platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and thrombin, the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) and G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) agonists, respectively. NFATc1 but not NFATc2 or NFATc3 was translocated from the cytoplasm to the nucleus upon treatment of VSMCs with PDGF-BB or thrombin. Translocation of NFATc1 was followed by an increase in NFAT-DNA binding activity and NFAT-dependent reporter gene expression.

N-Ethylmaleimide inhibits platelet-derived growth factor BB-stimulated Akt phosphorylation via activation of protein phosphatase 2A.

The redox state plays an important role in gene regulation. Thiols maintain the intracellular redox homeostasis. To understand the role of thiols in redox signaling, we have studied the effect of thiol alkylation on platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB)-induced cell survival events in vascular smooth muscle cells.