GPR119 regulates genetic markers of fatty acid oxidation in cultured skeletal muscle myotubes

Gene knockout and agonist studies indicate that activation of the G protein-coupled receptor, GPR119, protects against diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance. It is not known if GPR119 activation in skeletal muscle mediates these effects. To address this uncertainty, we measured GPR119 expression in skeletal muscle and determined the effects of PSN632408, a GPR119 agonist, on the expression of genes and proteins required for fatty acid and glucose oxidation in cultured myotubes. GPR119 expression was readily detected in rat skeletal muscle and mRNAs were induced by 12 weeks of high-fat feeding. Treatment of cultured mouse C2C12 myotubes with 5 μM PSN632408 or 0.5 mM palmitate reduced expression of mRNAs encoding fatty acid oxidation genes to similar extents. More so, treatment with PSN632408 decreased AMPKα (Thr172 phosphorylation) activity in the absence of palmitate and ACC (Ser79 phosphorylation) activity in the presence of palmitate. In human primary myotubes PSN632408 decreased expression of PDK4 and AMPKα2 mRNA in myotubes derived from obese donors. These data suggest GPR119 activation in skeletal muscle may impair fatty acid and glucose oxidation.

► GPR119 is a possible target for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
► Obesity selectively up-regulates GPR119 mRNA expression in skeletal muscle.
► GPR119 agonism down-regulates markers of skeletal muscle nutrient metabolism.
► Aberrant metabolic function in part attenuates the effect of GPR119 on metabolism.
► GPR119 activation in skeletal muscle may impair fatty acid and glucose oxidation.