TRPM2 Ca2+ channel regulates energy balance and glucose metabolism

Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2012 Apr 1;302(7):E807-16. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00239.2011. Epub 2012 Jan 24.

Abstract

TRPM2 Ca(2+)-permeable cation channel is widely expressed and activated by markers of cellular stress. Since inflammation and stress play a major role in insulin resistance, we examined the role of TRPM2 Ca(2+) channel in glucose metabolism. A 2-h hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp was performed in TRPM2-deficient (KO) and wild-type mice to assess insulin sensitivity. To examine the effects of diet-induced obesity, mice were fed a high-fat diet for 4-10 mo, and metabolic cage and clamp studies were conducted in conscious mice. TRPM2-KO mice were more insulin sensitive partly because of increased glucose metabolism in peripheral organs. After 4 mo of high-fat feeding, TRPM2-KO mice were resistant to diet-induced obesity, and this was associated with increased energy expenditure and elevated expressions of PGC-1α, PGC-1β, PPARα, ERRα, TFAM, and MCAD in white adipose tissue. Hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamps showed that TRPM2-KO mice were more insulin sensitive, with increased Akt and GSK-3β phosphorylation in heart. Obesity-mediated inflammation in adipose tissue and liver was attenuated in TRPM2-KO mice. Overall, TRPM2 deletion protected mice from developing diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance. Our findings identify a novel role of TRPM2 Ca(2+) channel in the regulation of energy expenditure, inflammation, and insulin resistance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Body Composition / physiology
  • Body Weight / physiology
  • Calmodulin / metabolism
  • Calorimetry, Indirect
  • Dietary Fats / pharmacology
  • Energy Metabolism / physiology*
  • Glucose / metabolism*
  • Glucose Clamp Technique
  • Glucose Tolerance Test
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins / metabolism
  • Insulin Resistance / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Myocardium / enzymology
  • Myocardium / metabolism
  • Oxygen Consumption / physiology
  • Phosphorylation
  • RNA / biosynthesis
  • RNA / genetics
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
  • TRPM Cation Channels / physiology*

Substances

  • Calmodulin
  • Dietary Fats
  • Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins
  • Irs1 protein, mouse
  • TRPM Cation Channels
  • TRPM2 protein, mouse
  • RNA
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Glucose