title: Fibroin-derived peptides stimulate glucose transport in normal and insulin-resistant 3T3-L1 adipocytes.
abstract: Fibroin, the protein of silk, and hydrolyzed fibroin have recently been described to enhance insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Here, we report that a series of synthetic peptides derived from the fibroin sequence have enhancing effects on glucose transport in normal and insulin-resistant 3T3-L1 cells. We observed that, among several enzymatic hydrolysates of fibroin, the chymotryptic and peptic hydrolysates were significantly more effective than others in augmenting insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in both cells. We synthesized several peptides of repetitive sequences in fibroin. Treatment with synthesized hexapeptides enhanced insulin-stimulated glucose uptake more than tri-, tetra- or pentapeptides. Among those, the effect of Gly-Ala-Gly-Ala-Gly-Tyr (GAGAGY) was most robust, and especially its activity of blocking off the chronic-insulin-induced loss of insulin-stimulated uptake was remarkable. Data reveal that the residues of tyrosine situated at the ends of the peptides play a critical role for exerting their activities. We demonstrate that the insulin-sensitizing effect of GAGAGY is due to enhancement of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-K) signaling pathway. The GAGAGY-induced insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was sensitive to inhibition of PI 3-K by wortmannin. Phosphorylation of Akt was also elevated in GAGAGY-treated cells. Furthermore, GAGAGY significantly increased insulin-induced glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation without affecting the synthesis of GLUT4. Our findings suggest that fibroin-derived peptides such as GAGAGY could be considered as novel insulin-sensitizing agents with an activity of blocking the development of insulin resistance.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Science, Handong Global University, Kyungbuk, Korea.
authors.forename: Eun-Do
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Tsenguun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bayaraa
authors.forename: Eun-Jung
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Chang-Kee
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Hyun
mesh_terms: D041721:3T3-L1 Cells; D017667:Adipocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D005349:Fibroins / Q000737:chemistry*; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D051275:Glucose Transporter Type 4 / Q000378:metabolism; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D051379:Mice; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000502:physiology; D010766:Phosphorylation; D021381:Protein Transport; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D051275:Glucose Transporter Type 4; D007328:Insulin; D009842:Oligopeptides; C540132:glycyl-alanyl-glycyl-alanyl-tyrosine; D005349:Fibroins; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D005947:Glucose