AMPK Profiling in Rodent and Human Pancreatic Beta-Cells under Nutrient-Rich Metabolic Stress

Chronic exposure of pancreatic beta-cells to elevated nutrient levels impairs their function and potentially induces apoptosis. Like in other cell types, AMPK is activated in beta-cells under conditions of nutrient deprivation, while little is known on AMPK responses to metabolic stresses. Here, we first reviewed recent studies on the role of AMPK activation in beta-cells. Then, we investigated the expression profile of AMPK pathways in beta-cells following metabolic stresses. INS-1E beta-cells and human islets were exposed for 3 days to glucose (5.5-25 mM), palmitate or oleate (0.4 mM), and fructose (5.5 mM). Following these treatments, we analyzed transcript levels of INS-1E beta-cells by qRT-PCR and of human islets by RNA-Seq; with a special focus on AMPK-associated genes, such as the AMPK catalytic subunits alpha 1 (Prkaa1) and alpha 2 (Prkaa2). AMPK alpha and pAMPK alpha were also evaluated at the protein level by immunoblotting. Chronic exposure to the different metabolic stresses, known to alter glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, did not change AMPK expression, either in insulinoma cells or in human islets. Expression profile of the six AMPK subunits was marginally modified by the different diabetogenic conditions. However, the expression of some upstream kinases and downstream AMPK targets, including K-ATP channel subunits, exhibited stress-specific signatures. Interestingly, at the protein level, chronic fructose treatment favored fasting-like phenotype in human islets, as witnessed by AMPK activation. Collectively, previously published and present data indicate that, in the beta-cell, AMPK activation might be implicated in the pre-diabetic state, potentially as a protective mechanism.