1. Biosynthesis and Secretion of Irisin
Irisin is mainly secreted from skeletal muscles. However, immunohistochemical studies have shown that it is also found in the pancreas, testes, liver, and stomach
[1]. Irisin secretion and synthesis are induced by exercise and PGC1α
[2]. PGC1-α (Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) coactivator 1-α)is a multispecific coactivator of transcription, which is competent in multiple gene regulation in response to the nutritional and the physiological signals in tissues such as brown adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and heart and liver tissue
[3]. As irisin is an exercise-induced myokine, the circulating level of irisin increases in individuals engaged in exercise-induced activities and progressively decreases in those who are sedentary and less active
[4]. Prolonged exercise increases PGC1α expression mainly in the skeletal muscles and heart and improves various metabolic parameters, including AMPK(Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase) activation, PGC1α phosphorylation, insulin sensitivity and signaling, and FNDC5 production, followed by the cleavage of FNDC5 to secrete irisin
[4][5].
A comparative study on irisin has shown 100% identity between murine and human irisin sequences)
[6]. Conversely, it has been found that in the human FNDC5 gene, there is an unusual ATA start codon
[7] which was previously identified as a null mutation, and it has been suggested that in humans, this mutation would prevent irisin production and release in the blood
[8]. However, in humans, FNDC5 made from the ATA-FNDC5 sequence was detected, proving that it is not a pseudogene
[8]; however, it was suggested to be in the category of genes that have lost their protein-coding ability
[9]. Moreover, it has already been proven that human irisin is mainly translated from its non-canonical start codon
[7].
There was also a concern about the lack of specificity in anti-irisin antibodies
[10]. There were contradictory remarks on the existence of irisin by experimental evidence, but many sensitive approaches—including ELISA assays and quantitative mass spectrometry— have been employed successfully to confirm irisin’s identity and to measure the circulating level of irisin in humans
[7][11][12][13]. Lee et al. employed mass spectrometry for the determination of the identity of FNDC5-immunoreactive bands detectable in human serum
[11]. The mass spectrometry analysis identified a unique peptide mapped to the known sequence of irisin, which validated the immunoblot identification of circulating irisin in humans
[11]. Later, another study employing mass spectrometry identified and quantitated human irisin in plasma
[7]. Human irisin was identified and quantitated in plasma using mass spectrometry with control peptides enriched with heavy stable isotopes as internal standards.
[7]. In line with this, it was demonstrated that cold exposure increases circulating irisin levels in humans, suggesting that exercise-induced irisin could have evolved from shivering-related muscle contraction
[11]. Recently, Colaianni et al. detected decreased serum irisin levels in patients with age-related bone diseases in comparison to healthy subjects
[14]. Moreover, many studies have confirmed that circulating irisin levels in the body are affected by several factors, such as diet, metabolic diseases, and other pathological disorders
[1][15][16]. These data support the claim that irisin does exist and is regulated by exercise.
2. Structural Features and Signaling Pathways
Irisin is a portion of the cell membrane protein known as FNDC5
[3]. FNDC5 consists of a signal peptide, a fibronectin III domain, and a C-terminal domain. FNDC5 comprises 209 amino acid residues, having a signal sequence of 29 amino acids at the N-terminal end, followed by a 94-amino-acid residue fibronectin III (FNIII) 2 domains (irisin domain), a linking peptide comprising 28 amino acid residues, a 19-amino-acid residue transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic domain consisting of 39 amino acid residues. The biochemical and crystallographic studies have shown that irisin exists as a homodimer, with the continuous β-sheet interactions forming the core of the dimer. The crystal structure of irisin revealed that it contains a fold which is similar to FNIII proteins. The first study which reported the crystal data of irisin shows that irisin structure is homologous to FNIII domains, as it consists of an N-terminal domain (residues 30–123) along with a C-terminal tail composed of residues 124–140 which is mostly disordered
[17]. Although all of the FNIII domains have limited homology and share only 15–20% sequence identity, their structures have surprisingly similar folds, comprising a β-sandwich with four β-strands on one side and three on the other
[17]. Unlike other FNIII structures, irisin constitutes a continuous inter-subunit β-sheet dimer, which has an essential implication for receptor activation and signaling. The core of the irisin dimer is formed by continuous β-sheet interactions and 10 backbone hydrogen-bonds between the two interacting four-stranded β-sheets. Hence, the irisin structure unveils the first instance of a continuous β-sheet dimer made between two FNIII domains. Irisin is a 112-amino-acid peptide that includes the 94-amino-acid residue extracellular FNIII domain, cleaved from the C-terminal end of FNDC5.
Figure 1 depicts the schematic representation of the structure of FNDC5 and the formation of irisin through its proteolytic cleavage.
Figure 1. Schematic representation of FNDC5 structure and formation of irisin.
Glycosylation is a very common post-translational modification of proteins where the attachment of carbohydrates leads to greater heterogeneity in the structure of glycans. Oligosaccharides influence the protein’s physicochemical properties, which are essential to obtain accurate protein conformation and protect against proteolysis, and are also essential for their biological function in diverse metabolic processes
[18]. There are two N-glycosylation sites in irisin at the Asn-7 and Asn-52 positions
[19]. The molecular weight of FNDC5 proteins ranges from 20 to 32 kDa, depending on the number and structure of glycan moiety attached to the molecule of protein during the process of post-translational modification
[1]. Deglycosylation lowers the molecular weight of irisin to 12–15 kDa
[20]. In some studies, it is shown that post-translational modification, for example, N-glycosylation, has an important role in irisin activity. Both glycosylated and nonglycosylated forms of irisin have been used
[21] and further research is required to determine the glycosylation pattern and effects of the glycosylation of irisin in various physiological conditions.
There are several intracellular signaling pathways through which FNDC5/irisin elicits its biological functions. The major pathways through which irisin exert its action in white adipocytes browning, neural differentiation, and osteoblast proliferation, are MAPK(Mitogen-activated protein kinase) signaling pathways. In addition to this, there are some other signaling cascades such as the AMPK pathway, PI3K(Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase)/AKT, and STAT3( Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3)/Snail pathway, which mediate some other important functions of FNDC5/Irisin
[22].
Major functions which the
fndc5/irisin gene elicits in the body are mediated by p38 and ERK1/2 signaling. WAT (White adipose tissue) browning is induced by irisin through p38 and ERK. It was shown both in vivo and in vitro that recombinant irisin treatment increases levels of phosphorylated p38 as well as phosphorylated ERK, which in turn results in the upregulation of the UCP1(Uncoupling protein 1) expression level
[19]. Irisin through p38 MAPK and ERK1/2(Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2) signaling is not only responsible for the browning of WAT but also induces neural cell differentiation, osteocyte proliferation, glucose uptake by the muscles, and a reduction in insulin resistance
[22]. The main physiological effects which irisin shows through MAPK signaling pathways are depicted in
Figure 2. AMPK and PI3K/AKT pathways mediate the effect of irisin in proliferation, anti-inflammatory, and anti-metastatic activities. A report showed that irisin enhances the proliferation of H19-7 cells through STAT3 signaling instead of AMPK and/or ERK, so it can be inferred that irisin exerts its neuroprotective effect partly through STAT3 signaling
[22]. It was demonstrated that irisin treatment activates the AMPK pathway and downregulates the mTOR(Mammalian target of rapamycin) pathway, thereby suppressing pancreatic cancer cell growth, and thus inhibits the epithelial–mesenchyme transition (EMT) of pancreatic cancer cells
[23]. Irisin has also been shown to mediate its effect through the PI3/AKT pathway in lung cancers. A study showed that irisin can reduce the expression of the EMT marker and inhibits the Snail expression via PI3K/AKT pathway, thereby inhibiting the invasion, migration, and proliferation of lung cancer cells
[24]. Irisin has also been found to stimulate the cAMP( Cyclic adenosine 3, 5- monophosphate)/PKA/CREB( cAMP response element binding) pathway, thereby regulating neuronal plasticity and preventing memory impairment
[25]. It was demonstrated that irisin can inhibit adipogenesis through activation of the Wnt expression and following the repression of transcription factors
[26]. In
Figure 3, the role of irisin has been shown in different physiological conditions through pathways other than MAPK signaling.
Figure 2. Schematic representation of physiological roles of Fndc5/irisin through MAPK signaling pathways.
Figure 3. Schematic representation of physiological activities of Fndc5/irisin through pathways other than MAP Kinase signaling.
3. Irisin Receptor
At present, the receptor for irisin has not been fully identified; however, Kim et al. suggested that the αV family of integrin receptors are likely irisin receptors in thermogenic fats and osteocytes
[27]. Quantitative proteomic analysis in MLO-Y4 osteocytes showed that irisin binds efficiently to the integrin β1-α1 heterodimers. The protein–protein binding assay was performed to check the binding affinity between irisin and several integrin complexes
[27]. It was found that most integrin complexes, including integrin β1-α1, showed significant binding with irisin; however, αV/β5 integrins showed the highest binding affinity. HDX-MS also demonstrated that irisin binds to αV/β5 integrins which allow the mapping of binding motifs on irisin and integrin complexes. Further, it was demonstrated that a very low concentration (10 pM) of irisin treatment resulted in the activation of the classic integrin signaling pathway in MLO-Y4 osteocytes
[27]. Moreover, it was revealed that when the αV integrins are chemically inhibited, the signaling and function of irisin in osteocytes and fat cells are blocked
[27]. Taken together, all these data suggest that although no specific receptor of irisin has been identified yet, it exerts its action via αV/β5 integrins in bone and fat tissues. Conversely, these specific effects of irisin via interaction with αV/β5 are not completely understood in vivo, either due to the ability of αV/β5 to interact with other ligands, or the binding affinity of irisin with other integrin complexes
[28]. Although αV/β5 integrins have been shown as irisin receptors in some tissues, there is also a possibility of other receptors both within and outside of the integrin family.