Understanding the regulation of islet cell mass has important implications for the discovery of regenerative therapies for diabetes. The liver plays a central role in metabolism and the regulation of endocrine cell number, but liver-derived factors that regulate α-cell and β-cell mass remain unidentified. We propose a nutrient-sensing circuit between liver and pancreas in which glucagon-dependent control of hepatic amino acid metabolism regulates α-cell mass. We found that glucagon receptor inhibition reduced hepatic amino acid catabolism, increased serum amino acids, and induced α-cell proliferation in an mTOR-dependent manner. In addition, mTOR inhibition blocked amino-acid-dependent α-cell replication ex vivo and enabled conversion of α-cells into β-like cells in vivo. Serum amino acids and α-cell proliferation were increased in neonatal mice but fell throughout postnatal development in a glucagon-dependent manner. These data reveal that amino acids act as sensors of glucagon signaling and can function as growth factors that increase α-cell proliferation.

Members of the class B family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) bind peptide hormones and have causal roles in many diseases, ranging from diabetes and osteoporosis to anxiety. Although peptide, small-molecule, and antibody inhibitors of these GPCRs have been identified, structure-based descriptions of receptor antagonism are scarce. Here we report the mechanisms of glucagon receptor inhibition by blocking antibodies targeting the receptor's extracellular domain (ECD). These studies uncovered a role for the ECD as an intrinsic negative regulator of receptor activity. The crystal structure of the ECD in complex with the Fab fragment of one antibody, mAb1, reveals that this antibody inhibits glucagon receptor by occluding a surface extending across the entire hormone-binding cleft. A second antibody, mAb23, blocks glucagon binding and inhibits basal receptor activity, indicating that it is an inverse agonist and that the ECD can negatively regulate receptor activity independent of ligand binding. Biochemical analyses of receptor mutants in the context of a high-resolution ECD structure show that this previously unrecognized inhibitory activity of the ECD involves an interaction with the third extracellular loop of the receptor and suggest that glucagon-mediated structural changes in the ECD accompany receptor activation. These studies have implications for the design of drugs to treat class B GPCR-related diseases, including the potential for developing novel allosteric regulators that target the ECDs of these receptors.T he glucagon receptor (GCGR) is a member of the class B G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family (1) that mediates the activity of glucagon, a pancreatic islet-derived peptide hormone that plays a central role in the pathophysiology of diabetes (2). Several GCGR antagonists that improve glycemic control in animal models of diabetes and diabetic patients have been described (3-8). Although biochemical studies of glucagon and GCGR mutants have facilitated the mapping of some elements that contribute to glucagon binding (4, 9-12), the molecular mechanisms of GCGR activation and inhibition remain largely unknown because there are currently no high-resolution structures of GCGR. The current model for activation class B GPCRs proposes a tethering mechanism whereby the C-terminal half of the peptide ligand first binds a large extracellular domain (ECD), thereby enabling a high-affinity interaction of the N-terminal half of the ligand with a cleft formed by the transmembrane α-helical bundle (13,14), termed the juxtamembrane (JM) domain. This interaction induces a structural change in the transmembrane and intracellular face of the receptor that enables G protein coupling, likely similar to that described for the activated form of the β-adrenergic receptor (15). Recent structural studies of several class B GPCR ECDs and ECD-ligand complexes support this model (16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21). Glucagon likely interacts with GCGR in a similar fashion to the interaction of other peptide ligands with class B GPC...

There has been a surge in interest in relation to differentiating dairy products derived from pasture versus confined systems. The impact of different forage types on the sensory properties of milk and cheese is complex due to the wide range of on farm and production factors that are potentially involved. The main effect of pasture diet on the sensory properties of bovine milk and cheese is increased yellow intensity correlated to β-carotene content, which is a possible biomarker for pasture derived dairy products. Pasture grazing also influences fat and fatty acid content which has been implicated with texture perception changes in milk and cheese and increased omega-3 fatty acids. Changes in polyunsaturated fatty acids in milk and cheese due to pasture diets has been suggested may increase susceptibility to lipid oxidation but does not seem to be an issue to due increased antioxidants and the reducing environment of cheese. It appears that pasture derived milk and cheese are easier to discern by trained panellists and consumers than milk derived from conserved or concentrate diets. However, milk pasteurization, inclusion of concentrate in pasture diets, cheese ripening time, have all been linked to reducing pasture dietary effects on sensory perception. Sensory evaluation studies of milk and cheese have, in general, found that untrained assessors who best represent consumers appear less able to discriminate sensory differences than trained assessors and that differences in visual and textural attributes are more likely to be realized than flavour attributes. This suggests that sensory differences due to diet are often subtle. Evidence supports the direct transfer of some volatiles via inhalation or ingestion but more so with indirect transfer post rumen metabolism dietary components. The impact of dietary volatiles on sensory perception of milk and dairy products obviously depends upon their concentration and odour activity, however very little quantitative studies have been carried out to date. Some studies have highlighted potential correlation of pasture with enhanced “barny” or “cowy” sensory attributes and subsequently linked these to accumulation of p-cresol from the metabolism of β-carotene and aromatic amino acids or possibly isoflavones in the rumen. p-Cresol has also been suggested as a potential biomarker for pasture derived dairy products. Other studies have linked terpenes to specific sensory properties in milk and cheese but this only appears to be relevant in milk and cheese derived from unseeded wild pasture where high concentrations accumulate, as their odour threshold is quite high. Toluene also a product of β-carotene metabolism has been identified as a potential biomarker for pasture derived dairy products but it has little impact on sensory perception due to its high odour threshold. Dimethyl sulfone has been linked to pasture diets and could influence sensory perception as its odour threshold is low. Other studies have linked the presence of maize and legumes (clover) in silage with advers...

T-cell-receptor (TCR)-mediated LAT (linker for activation of T cells) phosphorylation is critical for the membrane recruitment of signalling complexes required for T-cell activation. Although tyrosine phosphorylation of LAT is required for recruitment and activation of signalling proteins, the molecular mechanism associated with this event is unclear. In the present study we reconstituted the LAT signalling pathway by demonstrating that a direct tyrosine phosphorylation of LAT with activated protein-tyrosine kinase Zap70 is necessary and sufficient for the association and activation of signalling proteins. Zap-70 efficiently phosphorylates LAT on tyrosine residues at positions 226, 191, 171, 132 and 127. By substituting these tyrosine residues in LAT with phenylalanine and by utilizing phosphorylated peptides derived from these sites, we mapped the tyrosine residues in LAT required for the direct interaction and activation of Vav, p85/p110alpha and phospholipase Cgamma1 (PLCgamma1). Our results indicate that Tyr(226) and Tyr(191) are required for Vav binding, whereas Tyr(171) and Tyr(132) are necessary for association and activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase activity and PLCgamma1 respectively. Furthermore, by expression of LAT mutants in LAT-deficient T cells, we demonstrate that Tyr(191) and Tyr(171) are required for T-cell activation and Tyr(132) is required for the activation of PLCgamma1 and Ras signalling pathways.

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the volatile profile, sensory perception, and phytochemical content of bovine milk produced from cows fed on three distinct feeding systems, namely grass (GRS), grass/clover (CLV), and total mixed ration (TMR). Previous studies have identified that feed type can influence the sensory perception of milk directly via the transfer of volatile aromatic compounds, or indirectly by the transfer of non-volatile substrates that act as precursors for volatile compounds. In the present study, significant differences were observed in the phytochemical profile of the different feed and milk samples. The isoflavone formonoetin was significantly higher in CLV feed samples, but higher in raw GRS milk, while other smaller isoflavones, such as daidzein, genistein, and apigenin were highly correlated to raw CLV milk. This suggests that changes in isoflavone content and concentration in milk relate to diet, but also to metabolism in the rumen. This study also found unique potential volatile biomarkers in milk (dimethyl sulfone) related to feeding systems, or significant differences in the concentration of others (toluene, p-cresol, ethyl and methyl esters) based on feeding systems. TMR milk scored significantly higher for hay-like flavor and white color, while GRS and CLV milk scored significantly higher for a creamy color. Milk samples were easily distinguishable by their volatile profile based on feeding system, storage time, and pasteurization.Molecules 2020, 25, 26 2 of 28 of forage type on milk fat and composition, and highlighted the need to evaluate the impact of feeding systems on other aspects of milk fat quality, such as flavor and oxidative stability. Milk produced from many supplemented and altered diets have been investigated, including supplementation with flaxseed [8], lipid complex [9], crude protein [10], iodine [11] marine algae [12], oregano and caraway essential oils [13], hull-less barley [14] and sunflower/fish oil [15]. These studies focused mainly on animal production performance, milk composition, milk yield, milk fatty acid composition, and to a lesser extent on the flavor and sensory characteristics of milk. The study by O'Callaghan, et al. [16] investigated the influence of four supplemental feed choices for pasture-based cows on the fatty acid and volatile profile of milk. Some studies have also evaluated the effect of storage conditions on the microbiological quality of milk [17,18]. In the present study, the volatile profile and free fatty acid (FFA) content of the milk samples were evaluated over a 14-day storage period at 4 • C in order to ascertain the level of lipid oxidation occurring within the milk, and to track volatile compounds forming or changing during refrigerated storage. Free fatty acids (FFAs) in milk are produced by two mechanisms, namely incomplete esterification in the mammary gland before lipid excretion [19] or lipid hydrolysis after milking and during storage [20]. The FFAs influence product quality, flavor, nutrition, and texture, and...

MBX-102/JNJ39659100 (MBX-102) is in clinical development as an oral glucose-lowering agent for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. MBX-102 is a nonthiazolidinedione (TZD) selective partial agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma that is differentiated from the TZDs structurally, mechanistically, preclinically and clinically. In diabetic rodent models, MBX-102 has insulin-sensitizing and glucose-lowering properties comparable to TZDs without dose-dependent increases in body weight. In vitro, in contrast with full PPAR-gamma agonist treatment, MBX-102 fails to drive human and murine adipocyte differentiation and selectively modulates the expression of a subset of PPAR-gamma target genes in mature adipocytes. Moreover, MBX-102 does not inhibit osteoblastogenesis of murine mesenchymal cells. Compared with full PPAR-gamma agonists, MBX-102 displays differential interactions with the PPAR-gamma ligand binding domain and possesses reduced ability to recruit coactivators. Interestingly, in primary mouse macrophages, MBX-102 displays enhanced antiinflammatory properties compared with other PPAR-gamma or alpha/gamma agonists, suggesting that MBX-102 has more potent transrepression activity. In summary, MBX-102 is a selective PPAR-gamma modulator with weak transactivation but robust transrepression activity. MBX-102 exhibits full therapeutic activity without the classical PPAR-gamma side effects and may represent the next generation insulin sensitizer.

Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) is crucial for FcεRI-mediated mast cell activation and essential for autoantibody production by B cells in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). Fenebrutinib, an orally administered, potent, highly selective, reversible BTK inhibitor, may be effective in CSU. This double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial (EudraCT ID 2016-004624-35) randomized 93 adults with antihistamine-refractory CSU to 50 mg daily, 150 mg daily and 200 mg twice daily of fenebrutinib or placebo for 8 weeks. The primary end point was change from baseline in urticaria activity score over 7 d (UAS7) at week 8. Secondary end points were the change from baseline in UAS7 at week 4 and the proportion of patients well-controlled (UAS7 ≤ 6) at week 8. Fenebrutinib efficacy in patients with type IIb autoimmunity and effects on IgG-anti-FcεRI were exploratory end points. Safety was also evaluated. The primary end point was met, with dose-dependent improvements in UAS7 at week 8 occurring at 200 mg twice daily and 150 mg daily, but not at 50 mg daily of fenebrutinib versus placebo. Asymptomatic, reversible grade 2 and 3 liver transaminase elevations occurred in the fenebrutinib 150 mg daily and 200 mg twice daily groups (2 patients each). Fenebrutinib diminished disease activity in patients with antihistamine-refractory CSU, including more patients with refractory type IIb autoimmunity. These results support the potential use of BTK inhibition in antihistamine-refractory CSU.

No abstract