Differential Regulation of Glucosylceramide Synthesis and Efflux by Golgi and Plasma Membrane Bound ABCC10

Glucosylceramide (GlcCer) synthesis by the enzyme glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) occurs on the cytosolic leaflet of the Golgi and is the first important step for the synthesis of complex glycosphingolipids (GSLs) that takes place inside the lumen. Apart from serving as a precursor for glycosylation, newly synthesized GlcCer is also transported to the plasma membrane and secreted onto HDL in the circulation. The mechanism by which GlcCer is transported to HDL remains unclear. Recently, we showed that ATP-binding cassette transporter protein C10 (ABCC10) plays an important role in the synthesis and efflux of GlcCer in Huh-7 cells. In this study, we found that treatment of Huh-7 cells with an ABCC10 inhibitor, sorafenib, decreased the synthesis and efflux of GlcCer. However, treatment of cells with cepharanthine reduced only the efflux, but not synthesis, of GlcCer. These results indicate that ABCC10 may regulate the synthesis and efflux of GlcCer differentially in liver cells

Reduction in Insulin Mediated ERK Phosphorylation by Palmitate in Liver Cells Is Independent of Fatty Acid Induced ER Stress

Saturated free fatty acids (FFAs) such as palmitate in the circulation are known to cause endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and insulin resistance in peripheral tissues. In addition to protein kinase B (AKT) signaling, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) has been implicated in the development of insulin resistance. However, there are conflicting data regarding role of ERK signaling in ER stress-induced insulin resistance. In this study, we investigated the effects of ER stress on insulin resistance and ERK phosphorylation in Huh-7 cells and evaluated how oleate prevents palmitate-mediated ER stress. Treatment with insulin resulted in an increase of 38–45% in the uptake of glucose in control cells compared to non-insulin-treated control cells, along with an increase in the phosphorylation of AKT and ERK. We found that treatment with palmitate increased the expression of ER stress genes, including the splicing of X box binding protein 1 (XBP1) mRNA. At the same time, we observed a decrease in insulin-mediated uptake of glucose and ERK phosphorylation in Huh-7 cells, without any change in AKT phosphorylation. Supplementation of oleate along with palmitate mitigated the palmitate-induced ER stress but did not affect insulin-mediated glucose uptake or ERK phosphorylation. The findings of this study suggest that palmitate reduces insulin-mediated ERK phosphorylation in liver cells and this effect is independent of fatty-acid-induced ER stress

ATP-Binding Cassette Protein ABCC10 Deficiency Prevents Diet-Induced Obesity but Not Atherosclerosis in Mice

Excess plasma lipid levels are a risk factor for various cardiometabolic disorders. Studies have shown that improving dyslipidemia lowers the progression of these disorders. In this study, we investigated the role of ATP-binding cassette transporter C10 (ABCC10) in regulating lipid metabolism. Our data indicate that deletion of the Abcc10 gene in male mice results in lower plasma and intestinal triglycerides by around 38% and 36%, respectively. Furthermore, deletion of ABCC10 ameliorates diet-induced obesity in mice and leads to a better response during insulin and glucose tolerance tests. Unexpectedly, ABCC10 deficiency does not affect triglyceride levels or atherosclerosis in ApoE-deficient mice. In addition, our studies demonstrate low oleate uptake by enterocytes (~25–30%) and less absorption (~37%) of triglycerides in the small intestine of ABCC10 knockout mice. Deletion of the Abcc10 gene also alters several lipid metabolism genes in the intestine, suggesting that ABCC10 regulates dietary fat absorption, which may contribute to diet-induced obesity in mice