TAS1R3 is dually required for GTPase signaling in human islet β-cells and skeletal muscle cells

Background: The taste receptor type 1 member 3 (TAS1R3), a G protein coupled receptor, is required for whole body glucose homeostasis. However, the molecular mechanism of TAS1R3 function in islet β-cells and skeletal muscle to control glucose homeostasis remains unknown. Objective: We questioned whether activation of endogenous TAS1R3 in human islets or clonal human β-cells or human skeletal muscle cells are necessary for glucose stimulated insulin secretion and insulin stimulated glucose uptake respectively via activation of small GTPases. Methods and Results: We found that pharmacological TAS1R3 inhibition (lactisole) in human islets and a human β-cell line diminished glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, attenuated Src family tyrosine kinase signaling, and small GTPase Cdc42 activation. In human skeletal muscle cell lines, lactisole treatment reduced insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, and impaired small GTPase Rac1-dependent non-canonical insulin signaling. We excluded the requirement for the G protein Gαq/11 in TAS1R3 signaling by using the Gαq/11-specific YM-254890 inhibitor in β-cells and skeletal muscle. Notably, the significant reduction of TAS1R3 mRNA and protein levels in human type 2 diabetes pancreatic islets and skeletal muscle, reductions which could be replicated in otherwise healthy cells exposed to diabetogenic stimuli, indicates that the TAS1R3 deficit may be a consequence of diabetogenic stimuli. Conclusion: Overall, our results suggest that TAS1R3 plays an essential role in GTPase signaling in islet β-cells and human skeletal muscle cells, adding to the growing list of proteins that play a vital role in multiple tissues as therapeutic targets in type 2 diabetes.