Carboxy-terminal modulator protein induces Akt phosphorylation and activation, thereby enhancing antiapoptotic, glycogen synthetic, and glucose uptake pathways

Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2007 Nov;293(5):C1576-85. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00570.2006. Epub 2007 Jul 5.

Abstract

Carboxy-terminal modulator protein (CTMP) was identified as binding to the carboxy terminus of Akt and inhibiting the phosphorylation and activation of Akt. In contrast to a previous study, we found CTMP overexpression to significantly enhance Akt phosphorylation at both Thr(308) and Ser(473) as well as the kinase activity of Akt, while phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) activity was unaffected. Translocation of Akt to the membrane fraction was also markedly increased in response to overexpression of CTMP, with no change in the whole cellular content of Akt. Furthermore, the phosphorylations of GSK-3beta and Foxo1, well-known substrates of Akt, were increased by CTMP overexpression. On the other hand, suppression of CTMP with small interfering RNA partially but significantly attenuated this Akt phosphorylation. The cellular activities reportedly mediated by Akt activation were also enhanced by CTMP overexpression. UV-B-induced apoptosis of HeLa cells was significantly reversed not only by overexpression of the active mutant of Akt (myr-Akt) but also by that of CTMP. Increases in glucose transport activity and glycogen synthesis were also induced by overexpression of either myr-Akt or CTMP in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Taking these results into consideration, it can be concluded that CTMP induces translocation of Akt to the membrane and thereby increases the level of Akt phosphorylation. As a result, CTMP enhances various cellular activities that are principally mediated by the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism*
  • Adipocytes / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis* / radiation effects
  • COS Cells
  • Cell Membrane / enzymology
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Cytoplasm / enzymology
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Forkhead Box Protein O1
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Glucose / metabolism*
  • Glycogen / biosynthesis*
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / metabolism
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mutation
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Transport
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism*
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Thiolester Hydrolases
  • Transfection
  • Ultraviolet Rays

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • FOXO1 protein, human
  • Forkhead Box Protein O1
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Membrane Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Glycogen
  • GSK3B protein, human
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • Gsk3b protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3
  • THEM4 protein, human
  • Thiolester Hydrolases
  • Glucose