Hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance in T2D have a potent suppressive effect
on hepatic autophagy, however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. To
explore the effect of insulin on hepatic autophagy and its possible signaling
pathways, HL-7702 cells were treated with insulin with or without insulin
signaling inhibitors. The interaction between insulin and the promoter region of
GABARAPL1 was assessed through luciferase assay and EMSA. There were significant
dose-dependent decreases in the number of intracellular autophagosomes and the
protein levels of GABARAPL1 and beclin1 in insulin-treated HL-7702 cells.
Insulin signaling inhibitors reversed the inhibitory effect of insulin on
rapamycin-induced autophagy and autophagy-related gene upregulation. Insulin
blocks the binding of FoxO1 to putative insulin response elements in GABARAPL1
gene promoter, leading to the repressed transcription of GABARAPL1 gene and the
suppression of hepatic autophagy. Our study identified GABARAPL1 as a novel
target of insulin in suppressing hepatic autophagy.
Key words
autophagy - insulin, diabetes - forkhead box protein O1 - gamma-aminobutyric acid
A receptor-associated protein-like 1 - hepatocellular carcinoma - type 2 diabetes