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Ubiquitin conjugation by the N-end rule pathway and mRNAs for its components increase in muscles of diabetic ratsInsulin deficiency (e.g., in acute diabetes or fasting) is associated with enhanced protein breakdown in skeletal muscle leading to muscle wasting. Because recent studies have suggested that this increased proteolysis is due to activation of the ubiquitin-proteasome (Ub-proteasome) pathway, we investigated whether diabetes is associated with an increased rate of Ub conjugation to muscle protein. Muscle extracts from streptozotocin-induced insulin-deficient rats contained greater amounts of Ub-conjugated proteins than extracts from control animals and also 40-50% greater rates of conjugation of (125)I-Ub to endogenous muscle proteins. This enhanced Ub-conjugation occurred mainly through the N-end rule pathway that involves E2(14k) and E3alpha. A specific substrate of this pathway, alpha-lactalbumin, was ubiquitinated faster in the diabetic extracts, and a dominant negative form of E2(14k) inhibited this increase in ubiquitination rates. Both E2(14k) and E3alpha were shown to be rate-limiting for Ub conjugation because adding small amounts of either to extracts stimulated Ub conjugation. Furthermore, mRNA for E2(14k) and E3alpha (but not E1) were elevated 2-fold in muscles from diabetic rats, although no significant increase in E2(14k) and E3alpha content could be detected by immunoblot or activity assays. The simplest interpretation of these results is that small increases in both E2(14k) and E3alpha in muscles of insulin-deficient animals together accelerate Ub conjugation and protein degradation by the N-end rule pathway, the same pathway activated in cancer cachexia, sepsis, and hyperthyroidism.
Document ID
20040141774
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Lecker, S. H.
(Harvard Medical School Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States)
Solomon, V.
Price, S. R.
Kwon, Y. T.
Mitch, W. E.
Goldberg, A. L.
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 1999
Publication Information
Publication: The Journal of clinical investigation
Volume: 104
Issue: 10
ISSN: 0021-9738
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: GM46147
CONTRACT_GRANT: HL45317
CONTRACT_GRANT: DK50740
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Non-NASA Center
NASA Discipline Musculoskeletal

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