Overexpression of a glucokinase point mutant in the treatment of diabetes mellitus

Gene Ther. 2016 Apr;23(4):323-9. doi: 10.1038/gt.2016.1. Epub 2016 Jan 11.

Abstract

Glucokinase (GCK) is an important enzyme critical for glucose metabolism, and has been targeted as such in the pursuit of a cure for diabetes mellitus. We show that streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic murine model exhibits low GCK expression with high blood glucose levels; moreover, aggravated glomerulonephritis is observed in the model when there is IL10 deficiency. Although T cells infiltrate into the liver and pancreas in STZ-induced diabetes mice, T helper 1 (Th1) and T helper 17 (Th17) cells decrease significantly with STZ addition in in vitro polarization. Using a mutant GCK gene (GCK 262) with a knocked out cytosine at position 2643 results in lower protein expression and more ubiquitination-led protein degradation compared with wild-type GCK (GCK 261). We further observed that hsa-mir-1302 can bind to 3'-untranslated region of mutant GCK, which can decrease GCK mRNA translation. Finally, delivery of mutant GCK by subcutaneous injection is more effective at decreasing blood glucose in the STZ-treated (STZ) murine diabetes model than insulin treatment alone. Similarly, mutant GCK consistently and moderately decreases blood glucose levels in GK rats over a period of 12 and 70 days without inducing hypoglycemia, whereas insulin is only effective over 12 h. These results suggest that mutant GCK may be a future cure for diabetes.

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / enzymology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / genetics
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / therapy*
  • Female
  • Genetic Therapy / methods*
  • Glucokinase / administration & dosage
  • Glucokinase / biosynthesis
  • Glucokinase / genetics*
  • Insulin / pharmacology
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • MicroRNAs / administration & dosage
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Point Mutation*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Streptozocin / pharmacology
  • Th1 Cells / metabolism
  • Th17 Cells / metabolism

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Blood Glucose
  • Insulin
  • MicroRNAs
  • Streptozocin
  • Glucokinase