Glycogen content and contraction regulate glycogen synthase phosphorylation and affinity for UDP-glucose in rat skeletal muscles

Glycogen content and contraction strongly regulate glycogen synthase (GS) activity, and the aim of the present study was to explore their effects and interaction on GS phosphorylation and kinetic properties. Glycogen content in rat epitrochlearis muscles was manipulated in vivo. After manipulation, incubated muscles with normal glycogen [NG; 210.9 ± 7.1 mmol/kg dry weight (dw)], low glycogen (LG; 108.1 ± 4.5 mmol/ kg dw), and high glycogen (HG; 482.7 ± 42.1 mmol/kg dw) were contracted or rested before the studies of GS kinetic properties and GS phosphorylation (using phospho-specific antibodies). LG decreased and HG increased GS K_m for UDP-glucose (LG: 0.27 ± 0.02 < NG: 0.71 ± 0.06 < HG: 1.11 ± 0.12 mM; P < 0.001). In addition, GS fractional activity inversely correlated with glycogen content (R = -0.70; P < 0.001; n = 44). Contraction decreased K_m for UDP-glucose (LG: 0.14 ± 0.01 = NG: 0.16 ± 0.01 < HG: 0.33 ± 0.03 mM; P < 0.001) and increased GS fractional activity, and these effects were observed independently of glycogen content. In rested muscles, GS Ser⁶⁴¹ and Ser⁷ phosphorylation was decreased in LG and increased in HG compared with NG. GSK-3β Ser⁹ and AMPKα Thr¹⁷² phosphorylation was not modulated by glycogen content in rested muscles. Contraction decreased phosphorylation of GS Ser⁶⁴¹ at all glycogen contents. However, contraction increased GS Ser⁷ phosphorylation even though GS was strongly activated. In conclusion, glycogen content regulates GS affinity for UDP-glucose and low affinity for UDP-glucose in muscles with high glycogen content may reduce glycogen accumulation. Contraction increases GS affinity for UDP-glucose independently of glycogen content and creates a unique phosphorylation pattern.