Gas6 induces Akt/mTOR-mediated mesangial hypertrophy in diabetic nephropathy

Ambient protein levels are under coordinated control of transcription, mRNA translation, and degradation. Whereas transcription and degradation mechanisms have been studied in depth in renal science, the role of mRNA translation, the process by which peptide synthesis occurs according to the genetic code that is present in the mRNA, has not received much attention. mRNA translation occurs in three phases: Initiation, elongation, and termination. Each phase is controlled by unique eukaryotic factors. In the initiation phase, mRNA and ribosomal subunits are brought together. During the elongation phase, amino acids are added to the nascent peptide chain in accordance with codon sequences in the mRNA. During the termination phase, the fully synthesized peptide is released from the ribosome for posttranslational processing. Signaling pathways figure prominently in regulation of mRNA translation, particularly the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase-Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin pathway, the AMP-activated protein kinase-tuberous sclerosis complex protein 1/tuberous sclerosis complex protein 2-Rheb pathway, and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 type mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway; there is significant cross-talk among these pathways. Regulation by mRNA translation is suggested when changes in mRNA and protein levels do not correlate and in the setting of rapid protein synthesis. Ongoing work suggests an important role for mRNA translation in compensatory renal growth, hypertrophy and extracellular matrix synthesis in diabetic nephropathy, growth factor synthesis by kidney cells, and glomerulonephritis. Considering that mRNA translation plays an important role in cell growth, development, malignancy, apoptosis, and response to stress, its study should provide novel insights in renal physiology and pathology.

Section: Diabetic Nephropathymentioning

confidence: 87%

mRNA Translation

Kasinath

Mariappan²,

Sataranatarajan³

et al. 2006

“…The difference compared with our results, in which sirolimus seemed to protect from glomerular hypertrophy as well, might be the higher sirolimus trough concentration used in our model. Indeed, Nagai et al 21 showed that the AKT/mTOR pathway was activated in the pathomechanism of glomerular hypertrophy in experimental diabetic nephropathy. The achieved drug concentration in our study is high compared with target concentrations in clinical use today.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Inhibition Halts the Progression of Proteinuria in a Rat Model of Reduced Renal Mass

Diekmann¹,

Rovira²,

Carreras³

et al. 2007

Many kidney transplant patients experience an increase in proteinuria when converted from a calcineurin inhibitor-based regimen to one based on a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, and preexisting proteinuria and poor renal function have been identified as risk factors for this increase. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of sirolimus, an mTOR inhibitor, on renal function and histology in a proteinuric model of reduced renal mass. Sirolimus-treated animals had approximately half as much proteinuria as vehicle-treated animals (P Ͻ 0.05), and had less glomerulosclerosis, tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis, and inflammation. Immunohistochemistry showed that sirolimus attenuated the increased expression of renal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), as well as the expression of VEGF receptors 1 and 2. In conclusion, sirolimus halted the progression of proteinuria and structural damage in a rat model of reduced renal mass, possibly through a reduction in renal VEGF activity.

“…PI3K/Akt signaling mediated glucose-induced hypertrophy in MC and tubular epithelia. 15,48 Glomerular hypertrophy is attenuated in diabetic PKC-␤ null mice, 10,11 whereas PKC␣ deletion did not affect this parameter, 41 thus supporting a role for PKC-␤1/Akt signaling in mediating cell and organ size. Although a significant decrease in renal hypertrophy was not observed in type 1 diabetic rats treated with ruboxistaurin, glomerular hypertrophy was not specifically assessed.…”

Section: Hg Versus Others) (D) Ap-1 Activity Was Also Prevented Inmentioning

confidence: 99%

PKC-β1 Mediates Glucose-Induced Akt Activation and TGF-β1 Upregulation in Mesangial Cells

Peng²,

Zhang³

et al. 2009

102

Accumulation of glomerular matrix is a hallmark of diabetic nephropathy. The serine/threonine kinase Akt mediates glucose-induced upregulation of collagen I in mesangial cells through transactivation of the EGF receptor (EGFR). In addition, in renal tubular cells, glucose-induced secretion of TGF-␤ requires phosphoinositide-3-OH kinase, suggesting a possible role for Akt in the modulation of TGF-␤ expression, but the mechanisms of Akt activation and its involvement in TGF-␤ regulation are unknown. Here, in primary mesangial cells, high glucose induced AktS473 phosphorylation, which correlates with its activation, in a protein kinase C ␤ (PKC-␤)-dependent manner. Glucose led to PKC-␤1 membrane translocation and association with Akt, and PKC-␤1 immunoprecipitated from glucose-treated cells phosphorylated recombinant Akt on S473. PKC is known to mediate glucose-induced TGF-␤1 upregulation through the transcription factor AP-1; here, inhibitors of phosphoinositide-3-OH kinase, PKC-␤ and Akt, and dominant-negative Akt all prevented glucose-induced activation of AP-1 and upregulation of TGF-␤1. Finally, pharmacologic and dominant negative inhibition of EGFR blocked glucose-induced activation of PKC-␤1, phosphorylation of AktS473, activation of AP-1, and upregulation of TGF-␤1. In vivo, the PKC-␤ inhibitor ruboxistaurin prevented Akt activation in the renal cortex of diabetic rats. In conclusion, PKC-␤1 is an Akt S473 kinase in glucose-treated mesangial cells, and TGF-␤1 transcriptional upregulation requires EGFR/PKC-␤1/Akt signaling. New therapeutic approaches for diabetic nephropathy may result from targeting components of this pathway, particularly the initial EGFR transactivation. 20: 554 -566, 200920: 554 -566, . doi: 10.1681 The kidney is an important site of diabetic microvascular complications, and hyperglycemia is central to glomerular matrix accumulation. Although strict glucose control and inhibition of the reninangiotensin system are effective in delaying the development of nephropathy, disease progression often occurs. The development of new treatment approaches is thus an important goal. J Am Soc NephrolWe have shown that collagen I induction by high glucose (HG) requires activation of the serine/threonine kinase Akt, and this depends on transactivation of the EGF receptor (EGFR). 1 Akt activation requires membrane translocation and phosphorylation on two sites, S473 and T308. 2 Phosphoinositide-3-OH kinase (PI3K) is an upstream mediator of Akt activation, generating phosphorylated lipid second messengers that recruit proteins with pleckstrin homology domains such as Akt to the membrane. 3 At the membrane, phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1) phosphorylates Akt at T308. 3 Several S473 kinases, however, have