ARHGAP21 inhibits insulin secretion and controls glucose homeostase in mice

Author(s)

Sandra Mara Ferreira

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Biologia
• Defense date: 2015-00-00

Examining board members

Carmen Veríssima Ferreira Halder; Fernando Rodrigues de Moraes Addulkader; Camila Aparecida Machado de Oliveira; Sandra Lucinei Balbo

• Advisor: Antonio Carlos Boschiero

Abstract

ARHGAP21 is a protein of the RhoGAPs (Rho GTPases activating proteins) family that exerts several functions such as: migration, proliferation, differentiation and intracellular traffic of vesicles, in multiple cell types. In islets from Swiss mice knockdown for ARHGAP21 the glucose-induced insulin secretion (GSIS) was significantly increased, by mechanisms not yet elucidated. Although, it is still unknown the effects of ARHGAP21 knockdown on the insulin secretion and glucose homeostasis in adult mice. Here, we evaluated: a) in islets from ARHGAP21 knockdown mice the expression of genes involved in proliferation, maturation, and extrusion of the insulin containing granules, as well as on the rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton, and b) the effect of ARHGAP21 knockdown on GSIS and on the expression of genes that encode proteins involved with the secretory function (maturation and extrusion), as well as on the glucose homeostasis in adult C57BL/6 mice. Neonatal Swiss mice received (i.p.) 1 nmol of anti-ARHGAP21 anti-sense (neonate AS) (reduction of 60%) or mismatch (neonate CTL), subcutaneously, for two days. Adult C57BL/6 mice received (i.p.) 1.5 nmol/g of anti-ARHGAP21 anti-sense (adult AS) (50% reduction) or mismatch (adult CTL) for three consecutive days. Insulin secretion was measured in the presence of increasing concentrations of glucose (2.8 ¿ 22.2 mM). F-actin (polymer) was measured using phalloidin. Gene expression was assessed by Real Time PCR. Glucose and Piruvate tolerance were measured by ipGTT and ipPTT, respectively, and insulin sensitivity by ipITT, hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, and AKT phosphorylation. Islets from neonate AS displayed higher insulin secretion at 2.8 mM glucose, and lower expression of F-actin. Higher expression of VAMP2 and SNAP25 genes was also observed. Islets from adult AS showed higher insulin secretion at 22.2 mM glucose. However, glucose-induced increase in [Ca2+]i was not different from CTL. The expression of SYT VII and CX 36 genes was also increased. Adult AS mice displayed glucose intolerance and higher insulinemia during ipGTT, accompanied by insulin resistance specifically in skeletal muscle, and a lower hepatic glucose production. In conclusion, ARHGAP21 negatively modulates insulin secretion in neonatal mice through the rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton and reduction of the expression of VAMP2 e SNAP25 genes. ARHGAP21 also may negatively modulate the expression of genes involved in the Ca2+ sensitivity and secretory response (SYT VII and CX 36, respectively) in adult mice. Despite the higher insulin secretion, adult AS mice showed glucose intolerance associated with a mild insulin resistance in the skeletal muscle, which may be compensated by a lower glucose production in the liver (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/12050-7 - ARHGAP21 INHIBTS INSULIN SECRETION AND CONTROLS GLUCOSE HOMEOSTASE IN MICE
• Grantee: Sandra Mara Ferreira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate