Changes of insulin-mediated protein kinases phosphorylation and the expression of IGFBP-3 in skeletal muscle of streptozotocin-diabetic mice

The purpose of the present study was to investigate potential changes in expression and activation of Ser/Thr protein kinases as well as in the level of insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins (IGFBPs) in skeletal muscle of streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic mice. We have examined the basal and insulin-mediated phosphorylation of protein kinase B (PKB), protein kinase Czeta (PKCzeta), p70(S6k), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/p90(rsk) pathway and the expression of IGFBP-3, -4, and -5 in mice selected for body weight gain (line C) and reduction (line L). Apart from IGFBP-3 level, which was higher in C line, the diabetes-associated changes in signaling components examined in present work were similar in both lines of mice. The expression of PKB in skeletal muscle was similar in control and diabetic mice. Insulin increased the Ser473 phosphorylation of PKB in both experimental groups however, in diabetic mice the insulin-dependent PKB phosphorylation was more evident in comparison to control group. Neither protein level nor insulin-stimulated p70(S6k) activation were modified by STZ-diabetes. Basal PKC phosphorylation was augmented in muscle of diabetic mice and it was not increased following insulin injection. No apparent differences in levels of p42(MAPK), p44(MAPK) and p90(rsk) protein in gastrocnemius muscles between control and STZ-treated mice were observed. Basal phosphorylation of p90(rsk) in diabetic mice was markedly elevated in comparison to the control. In muscle of C-line mice, insulin stimulated the p90(rsk) activity to the same extent in both experimental groups (+22% over appropriate basal value). Insulin-mediated stimulation of p90(rsk) in muscle of L-line mice amounted to +26% and +14%, for control and diabetic mice, respectively. Protein level of IGFBP-3 in muscle of diabetic C-line mice was augmented by approx. 28% when compared to the control, whereas the expression of IGFBP-4 and -5 was not modified by STZ-diabetes. In conclusion: diabetes-associated changes in the insulin signaling in skeletal muscle involve: 1) enhanced insulin-dependent phosphorylation of PKB; 2) increased basal phosphorylation of PKC and its resistance to stimulatory action of insulin; 3) increased basal phopshorylation of p90(rsk), and 4) augmented IGFBP-3 protein level, which can potentially contribute to disruption of anabolic signals in this tissue.