title: ATP-independent glucose stimulation of sphingosine kinase in rat pancreatic islets.
abstract: Sphingosine kinase (SPHK) catalyzes sphingosine 1-phosphate production, promoting cell survival and reducing apoptosis in isolated rat pancreatic islets. Glucose, the primary islet beta-cell growth factor and insulin secretagogue, increased islet SPHK activity by 3- to 5-fold following acute (1 h) or prolonged (7 days) stimulation. Prolonged stimulation of islets with glucose induced SPHK1a and SPHK2 mRNA levels; there were no changes in SPHK protein expression. To isolate the metabolic effects of glucose on SPHK activation, islets were stimulated with glucose analogs or metabolites. 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), an analog phosphorylated by glucokinase but not an effective energy source, activated SPHK similarly to glucose. In contrast, 3-o-methylglucose (3-oMeG), which is transported but neither phosphorylated nor metabolized, did not increase islet SPHK activity. Glyceraldehyde and alpha-ketoisocaproic acid (KIC), metabolites that stimulate glycolysis and the citric acid cycle, respectively, did not activate islet SPHK. Moreover, inorganic phosphate blocked glucose-induced SPHK activation. A role for SPHK activity in beta-cell growth was confirmed when small interfering (si)SPHK2 RNA transfection reduced rat insulinoma INS-1e cell SPHK levels and activity and cell growth. Glucose induced an early and sustained increase in islet SPHK activity that was dependent on glucose phosphorylation, but independent of ATP generation or new protein biosynthesis. Glucose-supported beta-cell growth appears to be in part mediated by SPHK activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA. ldm@buffalo.edu
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Mastrandrea
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Sessanna
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Del Toro
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Laychock
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D017853:Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor) / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D013997:Time Factors; D000099157:Sphingosine Kinase
chemical_list: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D005947:Glucose; D017853:Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor); D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D000099157:Sphingosine Kinase