ArPIKfyve-PIKfyve interaction and role in insulin-regulated GLUT4 translocation and glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Insulin activates glucose transport by promoting translocation of the insulin-sensitive fat/muscle-specific glucose transporter GLUT4 from an intracellular storage compartment to the cell surface. Here we report that an optimal insulin effect on glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes is dependent upon expression of both PIKfyve, the sole enzyme for PtdIns 3,5-P-2 biosynthesis, and the PIKfyve activator, ArPIKfyve. Small-interfering RNAs that selectively ablated PIKfyve or ArPIKfyve in this cell type depleted the PtdIns 3,5-P-2 pool and reduced insulin-activated glucose uptake to a comparable degree. Combined loss of PIKfyve and ArPIKfyve caused further PtdIns 3,5-P-2 ablation that correlated with greater attenuation in insulin responsiveness. Loss of PIKfyve-ArPIKfyve reduced insulin-stimulated Akt phosphorylation and the cell surface accumulation of GLUT4 or IRAP, but not GLUT1-containing vesicles, without affecting overall expression of these proteins. ArPIKfyve and PIKfyve were found to physically associate in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and this was insulin independent. in vitro labeling of membranes isolated from basal or insulin-stimulated 3T3-Li adipocytes documented substantial insulin-dependent increases of PtdIns 3,5-P-2 production on intracellular membranes. Together, the data demonstrate for the first time a physical association between functionally related PIKfyve and ArPIKfyve in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and indicate that the novel ArPIKfyve-PIKfyve-PtdIns 3,5-P-2 pathway is physiologically linked to insulin-activated GLUT4 translocation and glucose transport. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.