In Vivo Glucose Transporter-2 Regulation of Dorsomedial Versus Ventrolateral VMN Astrocyte Metabolic Sensor and Glycogen Metabolic Enzyme Gene Expression in Female Rat

Astrocyte glycogenolysis shapes ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMN) regulation of glucostasis in vivo. Glucose transporter-2 (GLUT2), a plasma membrane glucose sensor, controls hypothalamic primary astrocyte culture glycogen metabolism in vitro. In vivo gene silencing tools and single-cell laser-catapult-microdissection/multiplex qPCR techniques were used here to examine whether GLUT2 governs dorsomedial (VMNdm) and/or ventrolateral (VMNvl) VMN astrocyte metabolic sensor and glycogen metabolic enzyme gene profiles. GLUT2 gene knockdown diminished astrocyte GLUT2 mRNA in both VMN divisions. Hypoglycemia caused GLUT2 siRNA-reversible up-regulation of this gene profile in the VMNdm, but down-regulated VMNvl astrocyte GLUT2 transcription. GLUT2 augmented baseline VMNdm and VMNvl astrocyte glucokinase (GCK) gene expression, but increased (VMNdm) or reduced (VMNvl) GCK transcription during hypoglycemia. GLUT2 imposed opposite control, namely stimulation versus inhibition of VMNdm or VMNvl astrocyte 5’-AMP-activated protein kinase-alpha 1 and -alpha 2 gene expression, respectively. GLUT2 stimulated astrocyte glycogen synthase (GS) gene expression in each VMN division. GLUT2 inhibited transcription of the AMP-sensitive glycogen phosphorylase (GP) isoform GP-brain type (GPbb) in each site, yet diminished (VMNdm) or augmented (VMNvl) astrocyte GP-muscle type (GPmm) mRNA. GLUT2 enhanced VMNdm and VMNvl glycogen accumulation during euglycemia, and curbed hypoglycemia-associated VMNdm glycogen depletion. Results show that VMN astrocytes exhibit opposite, division-specific GLUT2 transcriptional responsiveness to hypoglycemia. Data document divergent GLUT2 control of GCK, AMPK catalytic subunit, and GPmm gene profiles in VMNdm versus VMNvl astrocytes. Ongoing studies seek to determine how differential GLUT2 regulation of glucose and energy sensor function and glycogenolysis in each VMN location may affect local neuron responses to hypoglycemia.