Glucose represses PPARα gene expression via AMP-activated protein kinase but not via p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in the pancreatic β-cell.

Background: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) regulates the expression of fatty acid metabolism genes and is thought to play a role in the regulation of insulin secretion and lipid detoxification. We have examined the mechanism whereby glucose decreases PPARα gene expression in the pancreatic β-cell.

Methods: INS832/13 β-cell and isolated rat islets were incubated at 3 and 20 mM glucose for 18 h in the absence or presence of adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activators and inhibitors, as well as p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) inhibitors.