Differential regulation of glucose transporter gene expression in adipose tissue of septic rats

Jacqueline M. Stephens, Gregory J. Bagby, Phillip H. Pekala, Raymond E. Shepherd, John J. Spitzer, Charles H. Lang

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    24 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    To understand the molecular mechanisms responsible for the sepsis-induced enhanced glucose uptake, we have examined the levels of GLUT4 and GLUT1 mRNA and protein in the adipose tissue of septic animals. Rats were challenged with a nonlethal septic insult where euglycemia was maintained and hexose uptake in adipose tissue was markedly elevated. Northern blot analysis of total RNA isolated from epididymal fat pads indicated differential regulation of the mRNA content for the two transporters: GLUT1 mRNA was increased 2.6 to 4.6-fold, while GLUT4 mRNA was decreased by 2.5 to 2.9-fold. Despite the difference in mRNA levels, both GLUT1 and GLUT4 protein were down regulated in plasma membranes (40% and 25%, respectively) and microsomal membranes (42% and 25%, respectively) of the septic animals. The increased glucose uptake cannot be explained by the membrane content of GLUT1 and GLUT4 protein. Thus, during hypermetabolic sepsis, increased glucose utilization by adipose tissue is dependent on alternative processes.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)417-422
    Number of pages6
    JournalBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
    Volume183
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Mar 16 1992

    All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

    • Biophysics
    • Biochemistry
    • Molecular Biology
    • Cell Biology

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