Biomaterial Database

Cellular mechanism of metformin action. 1991

F Grigorescu, and A Laurent, and A Chavanieu, and J P Capony

INSERM U249, University of Montpellier I, France.

Activation of the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase and tyrosine phosphorylation of intracellular substrates are important steps in insulin signalling. In order to elucidate the cellular mechanism of action of metformin (NN'dimethylbiguanide) we have focused towards the effects of metformin on the insulin receptor kinase, the phosphorylation cascade and the biological effect of insulin. Since annexins (lipocortins) have been recently recognized as substrates of several tyrosine kinases we have investigated the effect of metformin on phosphorylation of annexins after insulin stimulation or microinjection of pp60c-src kinase in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Insulin induced in oocytes progression through the cell cycle from late G2 to M phase (maturation). Microinjection of pp60c-src kinase or treatment with metformin potentiates both the rate and the level of insulin-induced oocyte maturation. In oocytes prelabeled with 32P orthophosphate metformin potentiates insulin induced phosphorylation of annexins. It is concluded that annexins are substrates of the phosphorylation cascade initiated by insulin which is synergistic to the action of pp60c-src kinase and that this early phosphorylation events correlate well with the enhanced biological effect of insulin during metformin treatment.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008687	Metformin	A biguanide hypoglycemic agent used in the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus not responding to dietary modification. Metformin improves glycemic control by improving insulin sensitivity and decreasing intestinal absorption of glucose. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p289)	Dimethylguanylguanidine,Dimethylbiguanidine,Glucophage,Metformin HCl,Metformin Hydrochloride,HCl, Metformin,Hydrochloride, Metformin
D009865	Oocytes	Female germ cells derived from OOGONIA and termed OOCYTES when they enter MEIOSIS. The primary oocytes begin meiosis but are arrested at the diplotene state until OVULATION at PUBERTY to give rise to haploid secondary oocytes or ova (OVUM).	Ovocytes,Oocyte,Ovocyte
D011505	Protein-Tyrosine Kinases	Protein kinases that catalyze the PHOSPHORYLATION of TYROSINE residues in proteins with ATP or other nucleotides as phosphate donors.	Tyrosine Protein Kinase,Tyrosine-Specific Protein Kinase,Protein-Tyrosine Kinase,Tyrosine Kinase,Tyrosine Protein Kinases,Tyrosine-Specific Protein Kinases,Tyrosylprotein Kinase,Kinase, Protein-Tyrosine,Kinase, Tyrosine,Kinase, Tyrosine Protein,Kinase, Tyrosine-Specific Protein,Kinase, Tyrosylprotein,Kinases, Protein-Tyrosine,Kinases, Tyrosine Protein,Kinases, Tyrosine-Specific Protein,Protein Kinase, Tyrosine-Specific,Protein Kinases, Tyrosine,Protein Kinases, Tyrosine-Specific,Protein Tyrosine Kinase,Protein Tyrosine Kinases,Tyrosine Specific Protein Kinase,Tyrosine Specific Protein Kinases
D011972	Receptor, Insulin	A cell surface receptor for INSULIN. It comprises a tetramer of two alpha and two beta subunits which are derived from cleavage of a single precursor protein. The receptor contains an intrinsic TYROSINE KINASE domain that is located within the beta subunit. Activation of the receptor by INSULIN results in numerous metabolic changes including increased uptake of GLUCOSE into the liver, muscle, and ADIPOSE TISSUE.	Insulin Receptor,Insulin Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinase,Insulin Receptor alpha Subunit,Insulin Receptor beta Subunit,Insulin Receptor alpha Chain,Insulin Receptor beta Chain,Insulin-Dependent Tyrosine Protein Kinase,Receptors, Insulin,Insulin Receptor Protein Tyrosine Kinase,Insulin Receptors
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia