A pharmacological map of the PI3-K family defines a role for p110alpha in insulin signaling

Cell. 2006 May 19;125(4):733-47. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2006.03.035. Epub 2006 Apr 27.

Abstract

Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3-Ks) are an important emerging class of drug targets, but the unique roles of PI3-K isoforms remain poorly defined. We describe here an approach to pharmacologically interrogate the PI3-K family. A chemically diverse panel of PI3-K inhibitors was synthesized, and their target selectivity was biochemically enumerated, revealing cryptic homologies across targets and chemotypes. Crystal structures of three inhibitors bound to p110gamma identify a conformationally mobile region that is uniquely exploited by selective compounds. This chemical array was then used to define the PI3-K isoforms required for insulin signaling. We find that p110alpha is the primary insulin-responsive PI3-K in cultured cells, whereas p110beta is dispensable but sets a phenotypic threshold for p110alpha activity. Compounds targeting p110alpha block the acute effects of insulin treatment in vivo, whereas a p110beta inhibitor has no effect. These results illustrate systematic target validation using a matrix of inhibitors that span a protein family.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / cytology
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / metabolism
  • Female
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Insulin / metabolism*
  • Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins
  • Isoenzymes / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Isoenzymes / chemistry
  • Isoenzymes / genetics
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / chemistry
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / genetics
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism*
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors*
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • IRS1 protein, human
  • Insulin
  • Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins
  • Irs1 protein, mouse
  • Isoenzymes
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
  • Phosphoproteins
  • 1-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase p110 subunit, mouse
  • Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • Glucose