Suppressor of MEK null (SMEK)/protein phosphatase 4 catalytic subunit (PP4C) is a key regulator of hepatic gluconeogenesis

Young Sil Yoon, Min Woo Lee, Dongryeol Ryu, Jeong Ho Kim, Hui Ma, Woo Young Seo, Yo Na Kim, Su Sung Kim, Chul Ho Lee, Tony Hunter, Cheol Soo Choi, Marc R. Montminy, Seung Hoi Koo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

50 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Fasting promotes hepatic gluconeogenesis to maintain glucose homeostasis. The cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB)-regulated transcriptional coactivator 2 (CRTC2) is responsible for transcriptional activation of gluconeogenic genes and is critical for conveying the opposing hormonal signals of glucagon and insulin in the liver. Here, we show that suppressor of MEK null 1 (SMEK1) and SMEK2 [protein phosphatase 4 (PP4) regulatory subunits 3a and 3b, respectively] are directly involved in the regulation of hepatic glucose metabolism in mice. Expression of hepatic SMEK1/2 is up-regulated during fasting or in mouse models of insulin-resistant conditions in a Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-gamma Coactivator 1α (PGC-1α)- dependentmanner. Overexpression of SMEK promotes elevations in plasma glucose with increased hepatic gluconeogenic gene expression, whereas depletion of the SMEK proteins reduces hyperglycemia and enhances CRTC2 phosphorylation; the effect is blunted by S171A CRTC2, which is refractory to salt-inducible kinase (SIK)-dependent inhibition. Taken together, we would propose that mammalian SMEK/PP4C proteins are involved in the regulation of hepatic glucose metabolism through dephosphorylation of CRTC2.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)17704-17709
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume107
Issue number41
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010 Oct 12
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Glucose
  • Insulin resistance
  • Liver

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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