c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) Mediates Feedback Inhibition of the Insulin Signaling Cascade

• Published in: The Journal of biological chemistry Vol. 278; no. 5; pp. 2896 - 2902
• Main Authors: Lee, Yong Hee, Giraud, Jodel, Davis, Roger J, White, Morris F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 31.01.2003
• Subjects: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Binding Sites; Cell Line; Consensus Sequence; Culture Media, Conditioned; Humans; Insulin - pharmacology; Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 8; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 9; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases - deficiency; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases - genetics; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases - metabolism; Molecular Sequence Data; Phosphoproteins - chemistry; Phosphoproteins - metabolism; Phosphorylation; Rats; Signal Transduction; Transfection
• ISSN: 0021-9258; 1083-351X
• DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M208359200

Activation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) by proinflammatory cytokines inhibits insulin signaling, at least in part, by stimulating phosphorylation of rat/mouse insulin receptor substrate 1 (Irs1) at Ser 307 (Ser 312 in human IRS1). Here we show that JNK mediated feedback inhibition of the insulin signal in mouse embryo fibroblasts, 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and 32D IR cells. Insulin stimulation of JNK activity required phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and Grb2 signaling. Moreover, activation of JNK by insulin was inhibited by a cell-permeable peptide that disrupted the interaction of JNK with cellular proteins. However, the direct binding of JNK to Irs1 was not required for its activation by insulin, whereas direct binding was required for Ser 307 phosphorylation of Irs1. Insulin-stimulated Ser 307 phosphorylation was reduced 80% in cells lacking JNK1 and JNK2 or in cells expressing a mutant Irs1 protein lacking the JNK binding site. Reduced Ser 307 phosphorylation was directly related to increased insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation, Akt phosphorylation, and glucose uptake. These results support the hypothesis that JNK is a negative feedback regulator of insulin action by phosphorylating Ser 307 in Irs1.