Signalling pathways of an insulin-mimetic phosphoinositolglycan–peptide in muscle and adipose tissue

A novel phosphoinositolglycan-peptide (PIG-P) from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae potently mimicks insulin action on glucose transport and metabolism in rat muscle and adipose tissue. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the cellular signalling pathways of this insulin-mimetic compound. Rapid onset and reversibility of PIG-P action on glucose transport were observed in isolated adipocytes with a half-time of transport stimulation of 6-8 min (insulin less than 5 min). Combined treatment with PIG-P and insulin indicated additive stimulation of glucose transport at submaximal concentrations and non-additive action of both agents at maximal doses. The tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) was markedly increased in response to PIG-P in rat cardiomyocytes without any effect on the tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor β-subunit. PIG-P action in these cells was accompanied by phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of several proteins with molecular masses of 15-30 kDa, a response not detected with insulin. Downstream signalling of IRS-1 was then analysed by monitoring IRS-1-associated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) activity in cardiomyocytes. A stable (2 and 15 min incubation with PIG-P) 7-fold stimulation corresponding to about 50% of insulin action could be detected. Increased tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 and enhanced PI 3-kinase activity in response to PIG-P independent of the insulin receptor was also observed in isolated adipocytes. Involvement of PI 3-kinase in PIG-P action was subsequently confirmed by the dose-dependent inhibition of PIG-P-activated glucose transport in rat diaphragm and adipocytes by the PI 3-kinase inhibitors wortmannin and LY294002. These data suggest divergent upstream signalling by insulin and PIG-P involving phosphoproteins not affected by insulin. However, PIG-P and insulin action converge at the level of IRS-1 inducing insulin-independent PI 3-kinase-mediated signalling to glucose transport.