TRAF6-mediated ubiquitination of AKT1 in the nucleus occurs in a β-arrestin2-dependent manner upon insulin stimulation

Akt, also known as protein kinase B (PKB), serves as a crucial regulator of numerous biological functions, including cell growth, metabolism, and tumorigenesis. Increasing evidence suggests that the kinase activity of Akt is regulated via ubiquitination by various E3 ligase Enzymes in response to different stimuli. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying insulin-induced Akt ubiquitination are not yet fully understood. Here, we show that activation of the Insulin Receptor (IR) leads to enhanced ubiquitination of Akt1 at K8 and K14 residues, facilitated by the cytosolic E3 ubiquitin ligase Enzyme, TRAF6. Further investigation using Akt1 mutants with modified nucleocytoplasmic shuttling properties reveals that TRAF6-mediated Akt1 ubiquitination occurs within the nucleus in a β-Arr2-dependent manner. The nuclear entry of TRAF6 depends on importin β1, while β-Arr2 regulates this process by facilitating the interaction between TRAF6 and importin β1. Additionally, the ubiquitination of Akt1 is essential for its translocation to the activated IR on the plasma membrane, where it plays a functional role in recruiting GLUT4 and facilitating glucose uptake. This study uncovers the cellular components and processes involved in insulin-induced ubiquitination and activation of Akt1, providing insights and detailed strategies for manipulating Akt1.

Activation; Insulin signaling; Protein kinase B1 (AKT1); TRAF6; Ubiquitination.