Evolution of the insulin gene superfamily. Sequence of a preproinsulin-like growth factor cDNA from the Atlantic hagfish

The IGFs and their binding proteins in murine development

Recent observations suggest that the diverse actions of the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are the result of interactions of the various components that make up the IGF system. The components of this system include IGF-I and -II and their variants, the type 1 and 2 IGF receptors and the insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs). Various components of the IGF system are expressed in the developing mouse embryo and the adjacent tissues of the reproductive tract in which the embryo develops. Thus there is the potential for paracrine interactions between the maternal and fetal tissues. Transcripts for the IGF receptors, IGF-I and IGF-II, have been demonstrated in the periimplantation mouse embryo. While there are now data from gene ablation experiments indicating that IGF-II is important in embryogenesis, the role of other components of the IGF system such as the IGFBPs remains unclear. The data accumulated so far are largely empirical, and there is as yet little compelling evidence that maternal IGFs derived from oviduct or uterine fluid and maternal tissues are necessary for normal fetal development. We have started to develop transgenic mice lines overexpressing IGFBPs to attempt to address the role of these binding proteins in fetal development.

Hormonal influences on in vitro [(35)S]-sulfate uptake by gill arches from the goldfish (Carassius auratus L.)

A bioassay for insulin-like growth factor (IGF), based on the in vitro incorporation of [(35)S]-sulfate into gill arch tissue was used to study the hormonal regulation of proteoglycan synthesis in the goldfish (Carassius auratus). [(35)S]-sulfate incorporation into gill arch tissue was found to be time-dependent with maximal uptake occurring by 48h, suggesting that proteoglycan synthesis in this tissue was maintained for at least 48h in vitro. The addition of human recombinant IGF-I (IGF-I) to the incubation medium was found to significantly stimulate [(35)S]-sulfate uptake into the gill arches, whereas bovine growth hormone (GH) was without effect. Porcine insulin was also stimulatory, but results indicate that the effects of porcine insulin and IGF-I may be mediated by a single receptor system. Finally, arches from hypophysectomized fish were significantly less responsive to IGF-I than were arches from sham-operated fish. Furthermore, administration of ovine GH in vivo appeared to increase subsequent responsiveness in vitro. Together, these results provide evidence that the growth-promoting actions of GH in the goldfish may be mediated, at least in part, by a peptide related in structure to mammalian IGF-I.

Occurrence of members of the insulin superfamily in central nervous system and digestive tract of protochordates

Antisera specific for mammalian insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and mammalian insulin and the double immunofluorescence technique were used for this study. IGF-1-like-immunoreactivity was localized in entero-endocrine cells in the gastro-intestinal tract of the protochordates Ciona intestinalis and Branchiostoma lanceolatum. Some of the specimens also showed IGF-1-like-immunoreactive (-IR) perikarya and fibers in the central nervous system. Whilst in rat endocrine pancreas, IGF-1-IR and insulin-IR occurred in different cell populations, in Ciona and Branchiostoma the vast majority of entero-endocrine cells and central neurons were IGF-1-like- +insulin-IR. A minor portion exhibited IGF-1-like-IR alone. For further characterization of the IGF-1-like-IR material, in Ciona intestinalis, peptides related to IGF-1 were identified by radioimmunoassay and gel chromatography. In accordance with the immunohistochemical results, IGF-I-like-IR was detected both in cerebral ganglion and in gastro-intestinal tract. Using acid gel chromatography, in Ciona gastro-intestinal tract the IGF-1-like-IR was found to occur in two peaks, with apparent molecular weights of approximately 16 kDa and 3 kDa. Absorption studies with insulin- and IGF-related peptides, with crude extracts and the peak material obtained after gel chromatography, indicated that the IGF-1-like peptides in Ciona are different from mammalian insulin and IGF-1. The findings are in accordance with the presence of a common insulin/IGF precursor molecule in protochordates.

Identification of IGF-1 receptors in primitive vertebrates

This is the first report of the existence of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) receptors in three representatives of lower vertebrates: the osteichtyes, chondrichtyes and cyclostomi. Competitive binding studies and affinity labelling of brain membranes from Cottus scorpius (sea scorpion), Raja clavata (ray) and Myxine glutinosa (atlantic hagfish) identified a mammalian type 1 or IGF-1 receptor by its binding specificity and the molecular size of its alpha-subunit. IGF-1 and IGF-2 are almost equally potent in displacing receptor-bound 125I-IGF-1 or 125I-IGF-2, and the proteins labeled with both tracers have a molecular size of 100,000-120,000 under reducing conditions. There was no evidence for the presence of a mammalian type 2 or IGF-2/mannose 6-phosphate receptor in brains of Cottus, Raja or Myxine. In all three species the binding of 125I-IGF-1 and 125I-IGF-2 was significantly higher in brain compared with liver and gastrointestinal tract, and the IGF-1 receptor could only be identified with certainty in Raja liver. It is concluded that the brain of three lower vertebrates express mammalian IGF-1 receptors, whereas IGF-2-mannose 6-phosphate receptors could not be detected.

Peptides related to insulin-like growth factor 1 in the gastro-entero-pancreatic system of bony and cartilaginous fish

Evidence for the presence of peptides, related to insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) has been obtained in serum and various organs of representatives of osteichthyes and chondrichthyes, i.e., the bony fish Myoxocephalus (Cottus) scorpius and the cartilaginous fish Raja clavata. The peptides were identified by means of gel chromatography and an IGF-1 radioimmunoassay. IGF-1-like immunoreactivity was detected in three different apparent molecular mass forms, i.e., 17 kDa, 6 kDa and 4 kDa, the occurrence of which seemed to depend on the species. When the same antiserum was used immunohistochemically, IGF-1-like immunoreactivity was observed in endocrine cells of the open type in the intestinal mucosal epithelium. These cells exhibited distinct and species-specific distribution patterns. Endocrine cells of the pancreas as well as epithelial cells of the pancreatic duct also showed IGF-1-like immunoreactivity. Occasionally, IGF-1-like immunoreactivity was observed also in interstitial cells. The distribution patterns and densities of the IGF-like immunoreactive cells correlated with the results obtained by radioimmunoassay of the crude extracts. Absorption studies indicated that the IGF-1-like peptides observed differ from mammalian and submammalian insulins as well as from mammalian IGF-1.

Structure, evolution, expression and regulation of insulin-like growth factors I and II

Insulin-like growth factors (IGF) I and II are chemically-related single-chain peptides with diverse actions on cellular growth and metabolism. This review will focus on recent information pertinent to the biochemical and molecular biological aspects of these peptides. Three areas will be examined: The structure of the two IGF molecules and their precursors will be analyzed; the complicated anatomy of the IGF genes and their mRNAs will be described; and the multiple ways in which the expression of IGF-I and IGF-II can be regulated will be discussed. Gaps in our understanding of these peptides will be highlighted in the context of opportunities for further investigation in this field.