Structure and Function of Mitochondrial Protein Kinases

Ut Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas TX

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Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) is the gate-keeping enzyme that controls glucose oxidation through the Krebs cycle. PDC is negatively regulated by pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase isoforms 1-4 (PDKs 1-4). In patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes (T1D and T2D), PDK 4 is up-regulated resulting in the inhibition of glucose oxidation. Similar to PDC, the mitochondrial branched-chain ?-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex (BCKDC) is the rate-limiting step that sets pace for the oxidative degradation of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) also via the Krebs cycle. Similar to PDC, BCKDC is negatively regulated by the intrinsic BCKDC kinase (BDK). In patients with obesity and T2D, hepatic BDK is also up-regulated, resulting in the elevation of BCAA concentrations and insulin resistance. In this application, we will test the central hypothesis that the highly related mitochondrial PDK and BDK are novel pharmacological targets for reducing glucose level and restoring insulin sensitivity in obesity and T2D. The specific aims are: 1) to improve the potency and selectivity of novel PDK inhibitors developed in the PI's laboratory using structure-based design; 2) to test the hypothesis that increased glucose oxidation and reduced lipogenesis occurs concurrently through PDK inhibitor augmented pyruvate flux in obesity and T2D; 3) to test the hypothesis that increased BCAA oxidation ameliorates hyperglycemia and restores insulin sensitivity in T2D. The available novel PDK and BDK inhibitors and animal models including diet-induced obese mice, ob/ob mice and Zucker obese rats will be utilized in the proposed studies. A successful outcome of this investigation will provide the framework for developing new therapeutic approaches to the treatments of obesity and T2D.