Syntaxin 4 (STX4) Enrichment in Skeletal Muscle Remediates Insulin Resistance via and Improving Mitochondrial Function
Authors: Merz Karla Elzein , Veluthakal Rajakrishnan , Olson Erika M , Hamilton Angelica , Oh Eunjin , Huss Janice M , Fueger Patrick T , Thurmond Debbie C 
Published: June 2021

Type 2 diabetes afflicts 10% of the US population and is the result of both peripheral insulin resistance (skeletal muscle and adipose tissue) as well as insulin secretion defects (pancreas). Insulin resistance, also commonly termed ‘pre‐diabetes’ is estimated to impact more than 30% of our population, and is caused by the inability of skeletal muscle to clear excess blood glucose from the circulation. Human skeletal muscle accounts for over 80% of glucose clearance in the body, a process important in maintaining glucose homeostasis. Currently the only therapeutics that directly improve muscle glucose uptake are diet and exercise. However, with only 3% of the population leading a “healthy lifestyle”, including exercise, directed therapeutics are required to restore skeletal muscle function in pre‐diabetics. Several studies have identified correlations between insulin resistance and reduced levels of a SNARE protein named Syntaxin 4 (STX4) in human skeletal muscle. STX4 interacts with other SNARE proteins to facilitate the fusion of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) vesicles with the plasma membrane, to then channel extracellular glucose to the interior of the muscle cell, ultimately clearing glucose from the circulation.

To further define the function of STX4 in muscle, we developed a doxycycline Tet‐on inducible skeletal muscle specific STX4 overexpressing mouse model, under the muscle creatine kinase promoter (skm‐STX4 mice). Chow fed female mice overexpressing STX4 exhibited enhanced insulin sensitivity and improved glucose tolerance. Serum insulin levels from these mice were also reduced compared to littermate controls, concordant with their improved glucose tolerance. The data recapitulated the global overexpression model that we had previously published, suggesting that skeletal muscle is the primary driver in modulating glucose homeostasis. To establish that enriching STX4 can remediate insulin resistance, male skm‐STX4 mice were fed a 45% high fat diet (HF; to mimic a typical western diet), until they became insulin resistant. Upon establishing pre‐diabetes in the mice, STX4 enrichment was induced in the skeletal muscle (HFD+STX4 mice). Remarkably HFD+STX4 mice had the insulin sensitivity of a chow‐fed mouse, resolving the HFD‐linked insulin resistance in full. Moreover, the HFD+STX4 mice had significantly improved voluntary movement and increased respiratory exchange ratio, indicating increased reliance on carbohydrate rather than fat oxidation. The maximal oxygen consumption rate was also increased in primary myotubes from these HFD+ STX4 mice.

Taken together, these results suggest that STX4 enrichment carries the potential as a therapeutic to remedy obesity‐linked insulin resistance, potentially via improving mitochondrial function. These results suggest that STX4 could be a viable therapeutic target for treatment of pre‐diabetes.

Support or Funding Information

Research was supported by the NIH (DK067912, DK102233, and DK112917) to D.C.T and by the H.N. & Frances C. Berger Foundation, and Helen & Payson Chu Fellowships to K.E.M

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.