ERK1/2 inhibition prevents contraction-induced increase in plasma membrane FAT/CD36 content and FA uptake in rodent muscle

Aim: The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signalling in the contraction-induced increase in muscle FA uptake. Methods: Male Wistar rats (n = 41) were randomly assigned to either a resting or stimulated group. Within each group, animals were randomly assigned to receive PD-98059, an inhibitor of MAP/ERK kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2), a kinase upstream of ERK1/2 and perfused with 550 mu M palmitate, [C-14]palmitate, 7 mM glucose, and no insulin. In the stimulated group, electrical stimulation (ES) of supramaximal trains of 100 ms was delivered every 2 s for 20 min. Results: ERK1/2 phosphorylation was increased by 50% (P < 0.05) during ES but the contraction-induced increase was prevented by the addition of PD-98059. Glucose uptake increased by 3.6-fold (P < 0.05) from rest to ES in muscle perfused without PD-98059 and was not affected by the addition of PD-98059 either at rest (P > 0.05) or during ES (P > 0.05). For a matched palmitate delivery, ES increased palmitate uptake by 35% (P < 0.05). PD-98059 had no effect on palmitate uptake at rest but completely abolished the increase in palmitate uptake during ES. Plasma membrane FAT/CD36 protein content was increased by 38% during ES (P < 0.05) but the contraction-induced increase was prevented by the addition of PD-98059. AMPK activity was increased by ES (P < 0.05) but was unaffected by PD-98059. Conclusion: These results show for the first time that the increase in FA uptake and in plasma membrane FAT/CD36 protein content is mediated, at least in part, by the ERK1/2 signalling pathway during muscle contraction.