Transport of 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol into insulinoma cells by a glucose-sensitive transport system

Hypothesis: A Novel Neuroprotective Role for Glucose-6-phosphatase (G6PC3) in Brain-To Maintain Energy-Dependent Functions Including Cognitive Processes

The isoform of glucose-6-phosphatase in liver, G6PC1, has a major role in whole-body glucose homeostasis, whereas G6PC3 is widely distributed among organs but has poorly-understood functions. A recent, elegant analysis of neutrophil dysfunction in G6PC3-deficient patients revealed G6PC3 is a neutrophil metabolite repair enzyme that hydrolyzes 1,5-anhydroglucitol-6-phosphate, a toxic metabolite derived from a glucose analog present in food. These patients exhibit a spectrum of phenotypic characteristics and some have learning disabilities, revealing a potential linkage between cognitive processes and G6PC3 activity. Previously-debated and discounted functions for brain G6PC3 include causing an ATP-consuming futile cycle that interferes with metabolic brain imaging assays and a nutritional role involving astrocyte-neuron glucose-lactate trafficking. Detailed analysis of the anhydroglucitol literature reveals that it competes with glucose for transport into brain, is present in human cerebrospinal fluid, and is phosphorylated by hexokinase. Anhydroglucitol-6-phosphate is present in rodent brain and other organs where its accumulation can inhibit hexokinase by competition with ATP. Calculated hexokinase inhibition indicates that energetics of brain and erythrocytes would be more adversely affected by anhydroglucitol-6-phosphate accumulation than heart. These findings strongly support the paradigm-shifting hypothesis that brain G6PC3 removes a toxic metabolite, thereby maintaining brain glucose metabolism- and ATP-dependent functions, including cognitive processes.

The metabolism and transport of 1,5-anhydroglucitol in cells

AIMS

Our previous studies demonstrated that serum 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) levels increased slightly rather than declined after an acute glucose load. Therefore, the current study aims at exploring the transport and metabolic characteristics of 1,5-AG, as well as the effect of glucose on 1,5-AG transport.

METHODS

K_m and V_max were determined to measure the affinity of glucose oxidase (GOD) and hexokinase (HK) for 1,5-AG and glucose. HepG2, C2C12, and primary mouse hepatocytes were incubated for 2 h with 1,5-AG at concentrations of 0, 80, and 160 μg/mL. Then, intracellular and extracellular concentrations of 1,5-AG were measured before and after washing with PBS to evaluate the transport and metabolic rates of 1,5-AG. In addition, the influence of an acute glucose load on the transport of 1,5-AG was studied.

RESULTS

The affinity of GOD and HK for 1,5-AG is 5 and 42.5% of that for glucose, respectively. Moreover, there is no de novo synthesis of 1,5-AG, and its metabolic rate is < 3%. After a 2 h incubation with additional 1,5-AG, the intracellular levels of 1,5-AG were 50-80% of extracellular levels. Moreover, intracellular 1,5-AG concentrations decreased rapidly and reached zero following the removal of 1,5-AG from the external medium. In addition, an acute glucose load can affect the dynamic balance of 1,5-AG, causing the intracellular 1,5-AG levels to decline significantly and the extracellular levels to increase slightly in HepG2 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Unlike glucose, 1,5-AG is hard to be metabolized in vivo, and its transport is influenced by an acute glucose load in hepatocytes.

Novel regio- and stereoselective phosphonyl radical addition to glycals promoted by Mn(ii)–air: syntheses of 1,2-dideoxy 2-C-diphenylphosphinylglycopyranosides

The novel Mn(ii)–air promoted radical reaction of diphenylphosphine oxide with various glycals in excellent regio- and stereoselectivities generated 1,2-dideoxy-2-C-diphenylphosphinylglycopyranosides.

1,5-Anhydroglucitol stimulates insulin release in insulinoma cell lines

Concentrations of 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG), which is a major circulating polyol, decrease in patients with diabetes mellitus. In both insulinoma-derived RINr and MIN6 cells, 1,5-AG stimulated insulin release within the range of 0.03-0.61 mM in a dose-dependent manner. Insulin release was maximally stimulated by 1,5-AG to levels that reached 25% and 100% greater than that of control (1,5-AG-free group) in RINr and MIN6 cells, respectively. A physiological concentration of 1,5-AG stimulated insulin release after a 5-min incubation and this action was maintained for 60 min. In addition, at approximately 1/200 the concentration of glucose, 1,5-AG had additive action with 20 mM glucose. The action of 1,5-AG on insulin secretion with other types of saccharides and polyol was similarly additive. Mannnoheptulose and diazoxide suppressed the stimulative action of 1,5-AG on insulin release. The secretagogue action of 1,5-AG seemed to be independent on an increase in the intracellular content of cAMP and ATP. These results suggest that 1,5-AG can stimulate insulin secretion through a mechanism that completely differs from that of glucose.