AMP kinase regulation of sugar transport in brain capillary endothelial cells during acute metabolic stress

AMP-dependent kinase (AMPK) and GLUT1-mediated sugar transport in blood-brain barrier endothelial cells are activated during acute cellular metabolic stress. Using murine brain microvasculature endothelium bEnd.3 cells, we show that AMPK phosphorylation and stimulation of 3-O-methylglucose transport by the AMPK agonist AICAR are inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by the AMPK antagonist Compound C. AMPK α1- or AMPK α2-knockdown by RNA interference or AMPK inhibition by Compound C reduces AMPK phosphorylation and 3-O-methylglucose transport stimulation induced by cellular glucose-depletion, by potassium cyanide (KCN), or by carbonyl cyanide-p-trifluoromethoxy-phenylhydrazone (FCCP). Cell surface biotinylation studies reveal that plasma membrane GLUT1 levels are increased two- to threefold by cellular glucose depletion, AICAR or KCN treatment, and that these increases are prevented by Compound C and by AMPK α1- or α2-knockdown. These results support the hypothesis that AMPK activation in blood-brain barrier-derived endothelial cells directs the trafficking of GLUT1 intracellular pools to the plasma membrane, thereby increasing endothelial sugar transport capacity.