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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.03.10.710920

ACE2 associates with insulin-responsive GLUT4 dynamics in adipocytes

Fukushima, T.·Moriyama, N.·Sato, H.·Nishi, H.·Gould, G. W.·Kanzaki, M.
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Abstract

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is expressed in adipocytes, yet the mechanisms regulating its intracellular trafficking remain unclear. Here, we investigated whether ACE2 trafficking is coordinated with insulin-responsive vesicle dynamics mediated by the glucose transporter GLUT4 in 3T3L1 adipocytes. Subcellular localization analyses revealed that adipocyte differentiation promotes partial incorporation of ACE2 into insulin-responsive GLUT4-associated vesicular compartments, whereas ACE2 displayed a diffuse distribution in fibroblasts lacking a mature GLUT4 trafficking system. Reconstitution of insulin-responsive GLUT4 vesicle formation through exogenous expression of Sortilin and AS160 in fibroblasts was sufficient to partially recruit ACE2 into perinuclear GLUT4-positive compartments, indicating dependence on canonical GLUT4 vesicle machinery. NanoBiT assays demonstrated a regulated association between ACE2 and GLUT4 that was modestly enhanced by acute insulin stimulation but reduced following prolonged insulin exposure. Insulin stimulation also produced a slight increase in ACE2 surface exposure, while association with GLUT4 was accompanied by reduced ACE2 shedding, suggesting that recruitment into distinct trafficking routes may alter ACE2 accessibility to shedding machinery in adipocytes. Structural modeling further suggested that ACE2 and GLUT4 can form a membrane-compatible complex. Together, these findings indicate that ACE2 trafficking is coordinated with insulin-responsive GLUT4 vesicle dynamics, revealing a previously unrecognized association between metabolic signaling and ACE2 cellular dynamics in adipocytes, with potential implications for metabolic dysfunction and ACE2-associated disease processes.

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Fukushima, T., Moriyama, N., Sato, H., Nishi, H., Gould, G. W., Kanzaki, M.. 2026-03-11. ACE2 associates with insulin-responsive GLUT4 dynamics in adipocytes. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.03.10.710920

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