The Effect of 2-Deoxy-Glucose and 3-Methyl-Glucose on Insulin-Stimulated Lipogenesis in the Chick Embryo Heart[*]

Abstract

The effect of insulin on the incorporation of acetate-1-¹⁴C into the lipids of isolated nine-day-old chick embryo hearts was measured in the presence or absence of 2-deoxy-glucose (DOG) and 3-methyl-glucose (3-MG). Insulin stimulated the synthesis of total lipids and of phospholipids, but not that of cholesterol, cholesterol esters, mono- and di-glycerides. Even when exogenous glucose or other substrates were supplied, DOG blocked the stimulatory effect of insulin on lipid synthesis. On the other hand, 3-MG did not abolish the effect of insulin, even when no glucose was added to the incubation medium. These results support the hypothesis that the lipogenic effect of insulin is independent of its action on the transport of glucose through the cell membrane.

Key words

Insulin - Lipogenesis - Chick-Embryo Heart - 2-Deoxyglucose - 3-Methylglucose

1 Aided by Grant No. 5 ROI AMO6034, National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases, United States Public Health Service.

1 Aided by Grant No. 5 ROI AMO6034, National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases, United States Public Health Service.

2 Trainee, NIH Diabetes Training Program No. 5 TOI AMO5474. Present address: Department of Neurology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Harper Hospital, Detroit, Michigan 48207.