A PKB-SPEG signaling nexus links insulin resistance with diabetic cardiomyopathy by regulating calcium homeostasis

Nat Commun. 2020 May 4;11(1):2186. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-16116-9.

Abstract

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a progressive disease in diabetic patients, and myocardial insulin resistance contributes to its pathogenesis through incompletely-defined mechanisms. Striated muscle preferentially expressed protein kinase (SPEG) has two kinase-domains and is a critical cardiac regulator. Here we show that SPEG is phosphorylated on Ser2461/Ser2462/Thr2463 by protein kinase B (PKB) in response to insulin. PKB-mediated phosphorylation of SPEG activates its second kinase-domain, which in turn phosphorylates sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase 2a (SERCA2a) and accelerates calcium re-uptake into the SR. Cardiac-specific deletion of PKBα/β or a high fat diet inhibits insulin-induced phosphorylation of SPEG and SERCA2a, prolongs SR re-uptake of calcium, and impairs cardiac function. Mice bearing a Speg3A mutation to prevent its phosphorylation by PKB display cardiac dysfunction. Importantly, the Speg3A mutation impairs SERCA2a phosphorylation and calcium re-uptake into the SR. Collectively, these data demonstrate that insulin resistance impairs this PKB-SPEG-SERCA2a signal axis, which contributes to the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Diabetic Cardiomyopathies / genetics
  • Diabetic Cardiomyopathies / metabolism*
  • Homeostasis*
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / metabolism
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacology
  • Insulin / metabolism
  • Insulin / pharmacology
  • Insulin Resistance*
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Muscle Proteins / genetics
  • Muscle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mutation
  • Myosin-Light-Chain Kinase / genetics
  • Myosin-Light-Chain Kinase / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism*
  • Sarcoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism
  • Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases / genetics
  • Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / genetics

Substances

  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Insulin
  • Muscle Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Speg protein, mouse
  • Myosin-Light-Chain Kinase
  • Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases
  • Calcium