Insulin receptor substrate-2 binds to the insulin receptor through its phosphotyrosine-binding domain and through a newly identified domain comprising amino acids 591-786

Distinct recruitment and function of Gab1 and Gab2 in Met receptor-mediated epithelial morphogenesis

The Gab family of docking proteins (Gab1 and Gab2) are phosphorylated in response to various cytokines and growth factors. Gab1 acts to diversify the signal downstream from the Met receptor tyrosine kinase through the recruitment of multiple signaling proteins, and is essential for epithelial morphogenesis. To determine whether Gab1 and Gab2 are functionally redundant, we have examined the role of Gab2 in epithelial cells. Both Gab1 and Gab2 are expressed in epithelial cells and localize to cell-cell junctions. However, whereas overexpression of Gab1 promotes a morphogenic response, the overexpression of Gab2 fails to induce this response. We show that Gab2 recruitment to the Met receptor is dependent on the Grb2 adapter protein. In contrast, Gab1 recruitment to Met is both Grb2 dependent and Grb2 independent. The latter requires a novel amino acid sequence present in the Met-binding domain of Gab1 but not Gab2. Mutation of these residues in Gab1 impairs both association with the Met receptor and the ability of Gab1 to promote a morphogenic response, whereas their insertion into Gab2 increases Gab2 association with Met, but does not confer on Gab2 the ability to promote epithelial morphogenesis. We propose that the Grb2-independent recruitment of Gab proteins to Met is necessary but not sufficient to promote epithelial morphogenesis.

The type 2 vascular endothelial growth factor receptor recruits insulin receptor substrate-1 in its signalling pathway

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) isoforms exert their biological effects through receptors that possess intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity. Whether VEGF binding to its receptors recruits insulin receptor substrate (IRS) family of docking proteins to the receptor is not known. Following incubation of mouse kidney proximal tubular epithelial cells with VEGF, we observed an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins, including one of approximately 200 kDa, suggesting possible regulation of phosphorylation of IRS proteins. VEGF augmented tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 in kidney epithelial cells and rat heart endothelial cells in a time-dependent manner. In the epithelial cells, association of IRS-1 with type 2 VEGF receptor was promoted by VEGF. VEGF also increased association of IRS-1 with the p85 regulatory subunit of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase), and PI 3-kinase activity in IRS-1 immunoprecipitates was increased in VEGF-treated cells. Incubation of epithelial cells with antisense IRS-1 oligonucleotide, but not sense oligonucleotide, reduced expression of the protein and VEGF-induced PI 3-kinase activity in IRS-1 immunoprecipitates. Additionally, VEGF-induced protein synthesis was also impaired by antisense but not sense IRS-1 oligonucleotide. These data provide the first evidence that binding of VEGF to its type 2 receptor promotes association of IRS-1 with the receptor complex. This association may account for some of the increase in VEGF-induced PI 3-kinase activity, and the increase in de novo protein synthesis seen in renal epithelial cells.

Positive and negative regulatory role of insulin receptor substrate 1 and 2 (IRS-1 and IRS-2) serine/threonine phosphorylation

Insulin receptor substrates (IRS) 1 and 2 are phosphorylated on serine/threonine (Ser/Thr) residues in quiescent cells (basal phosphorylation), and phosphorylation on both Ser/Thr and tyrosine residues is increased upon insulin stimulation. To determine whether basal Ser/Thr phosphorylation of IRS proteins influences insulin receptor catalyzed tyrosine phosphorylation, recombinant FLAG epitope-tagged IRS-1 (F-IRS-1) and IRS-2 (F-IRS-2) were expressed, purified, and subjected to both dephosphorylation and hyperphosphorylation prior to phosphorylation by the insulin receptor kinase. As expected, hyperphosphorylation of F-IRS-1 and F-IRS-2 by GSK3beta decreased their subsequent phosphorylation on tyrosine residues by the insulin receptor. Surprisingly, however, dephosphorylation of the basal Ser/Thr phosphorylation sites impaired subsequent phosphorylation on tyrosine, suggesting that basal Ser/Thr phosphorylation of F-IRS-1 and F-IRS-2 plays a positive role in phosphorylation by the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase. Dephosphorylation of basal Ser/Thr sites on F-IRS-1 also significantly reduced tyrosine phosphorylation by the IGF-1 receptor. However, dephosphorylation of F-IRS-2 significantly increased phosphorylation by the IGF-1 receptor, suggesting that basal phosphorylation of IRS-2 has divergent effects on its interaction with the insulin and IGF-1 receptors. Phosphorylation of endogenous IRS-1 and IRS-2 from 3T3-L1 adipocytes was modulated in a similar manner. IRS-1 and IRS-2 from serum-fed cells were hyperphosphorylated, and dephosphorylation induced either by serum deprivation or by alkaline phosphatase treatment after immunoprecipitation led to an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation by the insulin receptor. Dephosphorylation of IRS-1 and IRS-2 immunoprecipitated from serum-deprived cells, however, resulted in inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation by the insulin receptor. These data suggest that Ser/Thr phosphorylation can have both a positive and a negative regulatory role on tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 and IRS-2 by insulin and IGF-1 receptors.

Role of the insulin receptor substrate 1 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling pathway in insulin-induced expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c and glucokinase genes in rat hepatocytes

The mechanism by which insulin induces the expression of the sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) and glucokinase genes was investigated in cultured rat hepatocytes. Overexpression of an NH(2)-terminal fragment of IRS-1 that contains the pleckstrin homology and phosphotyrosine binding domains (insulin receptor substrate-1 NH(2)-terminal fragment [IRS-1N]) inhibited insulin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 as well as the association of IRS-1 with phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase activity, whereas the tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-2 and its association with PI 3-kinase activity were slightly enhanced. The equivalent fragment of IRS-2 (IRS-2N) prevented insulin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of both IRS-1 and IRS-2, although that of IRS-1 was inhibited more efficiently. The insulin-induced increases in the abundance of SREBP-1c and glucokinase mRNAs, both of which were sensitive to a dominant-negative mutant of PI 3-kinase, were blocked in cells in which the insulin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 was inhibited by IRS-1N or IRS-2N. A dominant-negative mutant of Akt enhanced insulin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 (but not that of IRS-2) and its association with PI 3-kinase activity, suggesting that Akt contributes to negative feedback regulation of IRS-1. The Akt mutant also promoted the effects of insulin on the accumulation of SREBP-1c and glucokinase mRNAs. These results suggest that the IRS-1-PI 3-kinase pathway is essential for insulin-induced expression of SREBP-1c and glucokinase genes.

Distinct recruitment and function of Gab1 and Gab2 in Met receptor-mediated epithelial morphogenesis

The Gab family of docking proteins (Gab1 and Gab2) are phosphorylated in response to various cytokines and growth factors. Gab1 acts to diversify the signal downstream from the Met receptor tyrosine kinase through the recruitment of multiple signaling proteins, and is essential for epithelial morphogenesis. To determine whether Gab1 and Gab2 are functionally redundant, we have examined the role of Gab2 in epithelial cells. Both Gab1 and Gab2 are expressed in epithelial cells and localize to cell-cell junctions. However, whereas overexpression of Gab1 promotes a morphogenic response, the overexpression of Gab2 fails to induce this response. We show that Gab2 recruitment to the Met receptor is dependent on the Grb2 adapter protein. In contrast, Gab1 recruitment to Met is both Grb2 dependent and Grb2 independent. The latter requires a novel amino acid sequence present in the Met-binding domain of Gab1 but not Gab2. Mutation of these residues in Gab1 impairs both association with the Met receptor and the ability of Gab1 to promote a morphogenic response, whereas their insertion into Gab2 increases Gab2 association with Met, but does not confer on Gab2 the ability to promote epithelial morphogenesis. We propose that the Grb2-independent recruitment of Gab proteins to Met is necessary but not sufficient to promote epithelial morphogenesis.

Pdx1 restores beta cell function in Irs2 knockout mice

The homeodomain transcription factor Pdx1 is required for pancreas development, including the differentiation and function of beta cells. Mutations in Pdx1 or upstream hepatocyte nuclear factors cause autosomal forms of early-onset diabetes (maturity-onset diabetes of the young [MODY]). In mice, the Irs2 branch of the insulin/Igf signaling system mediates peripheral insulin action and pancreatic beta cell growth and function. To investigate whether beta cell failure in Irs2(-/-) mice might be related to dysfunction of MODY-related transcription factors, we measured the expression of Pdx1 in islets from young Irs2(-/-) mice. Before the onset of diabetes, Pdx1 was reduced in islets from Irs2(-/-) mice, whereas it was expressed normally in islets from wild-type or Irs1(-/-) mice, which do not develop diabetes. Whereas male Irs2(-/-)Pdx1(+/+) mice developed diabetes between 8 and 10 weeks of age, haploinsufficiency for Pdx1 caused diabetes in newborn Irs2(-/-) mice. By contrast, transgenic expression of Pdx1 restored beta cell mass and function in Irs2(-/-) mice and promoted glucose tolerance throughout life, as these mice survived for at least 20 months without diabetes. Our results suggest that dysregulation of Pdx1 might represent a common link between ordinary type 2 diabetes and MODY.

Signalling through IGF-I and insulin receptors: where is the specificity?

Receptor tyrosine kinases of the insulin-insulin-like growth factor (IGF) family promote growth and mediate metabolic signals. Despite their extensive structural homology, genetic evidence indicates that their physiological functions are distinct. Nevertheless, there is limited evidence from cell culture systems suggesting that their signalling capabilities differ. Thus, it remains unclear whether the different physiological roles of insulin and IGF-I receptors result from intrinsic differences in their abilities to activate distinct signalling pathways, or arise from extrinsic differences, such as tissue distribution, relative abundance and developmental regulation.

Specificity of interleukin-2 receptor gamma chain superfamily cytokines is mediated by insulin receptor substrate-dependent pathway

Interleukins 9 (IL-9) and 4 are cytokines within the IL-2 receptor gamma chain (IL-2R gamma) superfamily that possess similar and unique biological functions. The signaling mechanisms, which may determine cytokine specificity and redundancy, are not well understood. IRS proteins are tyrosine-phosphorylated following IL-9 and IL-4 stimulation, a process in part mediated by JAK tyrosine kinases (Yin, T. G., Keller, S. R., Quelle, F. W., Witthuhn, B. A., Tsang, M. L., Lienhard, G. E., Ihle, J. N., and Yang, Y. C. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 20497--20502). In the present study, we used 32D cells stably transfected with insulin receptor (32D(IR)), which do not express any IRS proteins, as a model system to study the requirement of different structural domains of IRS proteins in IL-9- and IL-4-mediated functions. Overexpression of IRS-1 and IRS-2, but not IRS-4, induced proliferation of 32D(IR) cells in response to IL-9. The pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of IRS proteins is required for IRS-mediated proliferation stimulated by IL-9. The phosphotyrosine binding and Shc and IRS-1 NPXY binding domains are interchangeable for IRS to transduce the proliferative effect of IL-4. Therefore, the PH domain plays different roles in coupling IRS proteins to activated IL-9 and IL-4 receptors. The role of IRS proteins in determining cytokine specificity was corroborated by their ability to interact with different downstream signaling molecules. Although phosphatidylinositol 3' -kinase (PI3K) and Grb-2 interact with tyrosine-phosphorylated IRS proteins, Shp-2 only binds to IRS proteins following IL-4, but not IL-9, stimulation. Although PI3K activity is necessary for the IRS-1/2-mediated proliferative effect of IL-9 and IL-4, Akt activation is only required for cell proliferation induced by IL-4, but not IL-9. These data suggest that IRS-dependent signaling pathways work by recruiting different signaling molecules to determine specificity of IL-2R gamma superfamily cytokines.

Increased insulin sensitivity in IGF-I receptor--deficient brown adipocytes

Immortalized brown adipocyte cell lines have been generated from fetuses of mice deficient in the insulin-like growth factor I receptor gene (IGF-IR(-/-)), as well as from fetuses of wild-type mice (IGF-IR(+/+)). These cell lines maintained the expression of adipogenic- and thermogenic-differentiation markers and show a multilocular fat droplets phenotype. IGF-IR(-/-) brown adipocytes lacked IGF-IR protein expression; insulin receptor (IR) expression remained unchanged as compared with wild-type cells. Insulin-induced tyrosine autophosphorylation of the IR beta-chain was augmented in IGF-IR--deficient cells. Upon insulin stimulation, tyrosine phosphorylation of (insulin receptor substrate-1) IRS-1 was much higher in IGF-IR(-/-) brown adipocytes, although IRS-1 protein content was reduced. In contrast, tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-2 decreased in IGF-IR--deficient cells; its protein content was unchanged as compared with wild-type cells. Downstream, the association IRS-1/growth factor receptor binding protein-2 (Grb-2) was augmented in the IGF-IR(-/-) brown adipocyte cell line. However, SHC expression and SHC tyrosine phosphorylation and its association with Grb-2 were unaltered in response to insulin in IGF-IR--deficient brown adipocytes. These cells also showed an enhanced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase (MEK1/2) and p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) upon insulin stimulation. In addition, the lack of IGF-IR in brown adipocytes resulted in a higher mitogenic response (DNA synthesis, cell number, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression) to insulin than wild-type cells. Finally, cells lacking IGF-IR showed a much lower association between IR or IRS-1 and phosphotyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) and also a decreased PTP1B activity upon insulin stimulation. However, PTP1B/Grb-2 association remained unchanged in both cell types, regardless of insulin stimulation. Data presented here provide strong evidence that IGF-IR--deficient brown adipocytes show an increased insulin sensitivity via IRS-1/Grb-2/MAPK, resulting in an increased mitogenesis in response to insulin.

Surfing the insulin signaling web

The diverse biological actions of insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) are initiated by binding of the polypeptides to their respective cell surface tyrosine kinase receptors. These activated receptors phosphorylate a series of endogenous substrates on tyrosine, amongst which the insulin receptor substrate (IRS) proteins are the best characterized. Their phosphotyrosine-containing motifs become binding sites for Src homology 2 (SH2) domains on proteins such as SH2 domain-containing protein-tyrosine-phosphatase (SHP)-2/Syp, growth factor receptor bound-2 protein, (Grb-2), and phosphatidyl inositol 3 kinase (PI3 kinase), which participate in activation of specific signaling cascades. However, the IRS molecules are not only platforms for signaling molecules, they also orchestrate the generation of signal specificity, integration of signals induced by several extracellular stimuli, and signal termination and modulation. An extensive review is beyond the scope of the present article, which will be centered on our own contribution and reflect our biases.

Crk family adaptors-signalling complex formation and biological roles

Crk family adaptors are widely expressed and mediate the timely formation of signal transduction protein complexes upon a variety of extracellular stimuli, including various growth and differentiation factors. Selective formation of multi-protein complexes by the Crk and Crk-like (CRKL) proteins depends on specific motifs recognized by their SH2 and SH3 domains. In the case of the first SH3 domains [SH3(1)] a P-x-x-P-x-K motif is crucial for highly selective binding, while the SH2 domains prefer motifs which conform to the consensus pY-x-x-P. Crk family proteins are involved in the relocalization and activation of several different effector proteins which include guanine nucleotide releasing proteins like C3G, protein kinases of the Abl- and GCK-families and small GTPases like Rap1 and Rac. Crk-type proteins have been found not only in vertebrates but also in flies and nematodes. Major insight into the function of Crk within organisms came from the genetic model organism C. elegans, where the Crk-homologue CED-2 regulates cell engulfment and phagocytosis. Other biological outcomes of the Crk-activated signal transduction cascades include the modulation of cell adhesion, cell migration and immune cell responses. Crk family adaptors also appear to play a role in mediating the action of human oncogenes like the leukaemia-inducing Bcr-Abl protein. This review summarizes some key findings and highlights recent insights and open questions.

Defects of the insulin receptor substrate (IRS) system in human metabolic disorders

Insulin receptor substrate (IRS) molecules are key mediators in insulin signaling and play a central role in maintaining basic cellular functions such as growth, survival, and metabolism. They act as docking proteins between the insulin receptor and a complex network of intracellular signaling molecules containing Src homology 2 (SH2) domains. Four members (IRS-1, IRS-2, IRS-3, IRS-4) of this family have been identified that differ as to tissue distribution, subcellular localization, developmental expression, binding to the insulin receptor, and interaction with SH2 domain-containing proteins. Results from targeted disruption of the IRS genes in mice have provided important clues to the functional differences among these related molecules, suggesting they play different and specific roles in vivo. The available data are consistent with the notion that IRS-1 and IRS-2 are not functionally interchangeable in tissues that are responsible for glucose production (liver), glucose uptake (skeletal muscle and adipose tissue), and insulin production (pancreatic beta cells). In fact, IRS-1 appears to have its major role in skeletal muscle whereas IRS-2 appears to regulate hepatic insulin action as well as pancreatic beta cell development and survival. By contrast, IRS-3 and IRS-4 genes appear to play a redundant role in the IRS signaling system. Defects in muscle IRS-1 expression and function have been reported in insulin-resistant states such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Several polymorphisms in the IRS genes have been identified, but only the Gly-->Arg972 substitution of IRS-1, interacting with environmental factors, seems to have a pathogenic role in the development of type 2 diabetes. In contrast, polymorphisms of the other IRS genes do not appear to contribute to type 2 diabetes.

Effect of receptor phosphorylation on the binding between IRS-1 and IGF-1R as revealed by surface plasmon resonance biosensor

A receptor binding assay based on the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor technique was developed to study the interaction between insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) and its intracellular substrate protein insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1). The sensor surface was modified with anti-IGF-1R (alpha-subunit) monoclonal antibodies for the capturing of the receptor-containing membrane fragments from cell lysates. The IGF-1R was successfully immobilized on the sensor surface with binding capability for its intracellular substrates. SPR measurements showed that the tyrosine phosphorylation of IGF-1R induced by its extracellular ligand insulin-like growth factor-1 caused the receptor to bind with IRS-1 10 times faster than the unactivated receptor. As a result, the affinity constants of IRS-1 to phosphorylated and unphosphorylated IGF-1R were (8.06+/-5.18)x10(9) M(-1) and (9.81+/-4.61)x10(8) M(-1), respectively.

Molecular mechanism of insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus: role of the insulin receptor variant forms

Type 2 diabetes is a heterogeneous and polygenic disorder resulting from interaction of genetic factors with environmental influences. Numerous candidate genes for insulin signaling proteins have been screened, but no single major susceptibility gene for type 2 diabetes has been identified. Due to its pivotal role in insulin action, the insulin receptor was considered a plausible candidate gene. The insulin receptor exists in two isoforms differing by the absence (Ex11(-)) or presence (Ex11(+)) of a 12 amino acid sequence in the COOH-terminus of the alpha-subunit, as a consequence of alternative splicing of exon 11. The Ex11(-) binds insulin with two-fold higher affinity than the Ex11(+). This difference is paralleled by a decreased sensitivity for metabolic actions of insulin. Some, but not all, studies have reported that expression of the low-affinity Ex11(+) is increased in target tissues from type 2 diabetic patients, thus suggesting that alterations in abundance of the two isoforms might contribute to insulin resistance. Insulin and type 1 IGF receptors have been shown to form hybrid receptors in tissues co-expressing both molecules. Hybrid receptors bind IGF-I, but not insulin, with high affinity, and behave as IGF-I holoreceptors, rather than insulin receptors, in terms of receptor autophosphorylation, and hormone internalization. It has been shown that the abundance of hybrid receptors is increased in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue from type 2 diabetic patients, and is negatively correlated with in vivo insulin sensitivity. Mutations in the insulin receptor gene have been identified in studies which examined an appropriately sized population of patients with type 2 diabetes. The prevalence of mutations in the insulin receptor gene ranged from 0.4%-7.8%. This review will focus on the structural and functional heterogeneity of the insulin receptor, and will discuss the pathogenetic role of insulin receptor variant forms and polymorphisms in the development of the common form of type 2 diabetes.

Insulin induces suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 tyrosine phosphorylation through janus-activated kinase

Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins were originally described as cytokine-induced molecules involved in negative feedback loops. We have shown that SOCS-3 is also a component of the insulin signaling network (). Indeed, insulin leads to SOCS-3 expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Once produced, SOCS-3 binds to phosphorylated tyrosine 960 of the insulin receptor and inhibits insulin signaling. Now we show that in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and in transfected COS-7 cells insulin leads to SOCS-3 tyrosine phosphorylation. This phosphorylation takes place on Tyr(204) and is dependent upon a functional SOCS-3 SH2 domain. Purified insulin receptor directly phosphorylates SOCS-3. However, in intact cells, a mutant of the insulin receptor, IRY960F, unable to bind SOCS-3, was as efficient as the wild type insulin receptor to phosphorylate SOCS-3. Importantly, IRY960F is as potent as the wild type insulin receptor to activate janus-activated kinase (Jak) 1 and Jak2. Furthermore, expression of a dominant negative form of Jak2 inhibits insulin-induced SOCS-3 tyrosine phosphorylation. As transfected Jaks have been shown to cause SOCS-3 phosphorylation, we propose that insulin induces SOCS-3 phosphorylation through Jak activation. Our data indicate that SOCS-3 belongs to a class of tyrosine-phosphorylated insulin signaling molecules, the phosphorylation of which is not dependent upon a direct coupling with the insulin receptor but relies on the Jaks.

Insulin stimulates PKCzeta -mediated phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1). A self-attenuated mechanism to negatively regulate the function of IRS proteins

Incubation of rat hepatoma Fao cells with insulin leads to a transient rise in Tyr phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate (IRS) proteins. This is followed by elevation in their P-Ser/Thr content, and their dissociation from the insulin receptor (IR). Wortmannin, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, abolished the increase in the P-Ser/Thr content of IRS-1, its dissociation from the IR, and the decrease in its P-Tyr content following 60 min of insulin treatment, indicating that the Ser kinases that negatively regulate IRS-1 function are downstream effectors of PI3K. PKCzeta fulfills this criterion, being an insulin-activated downstream effector of PI3K. Overexpression of PKCzeta in Fao cells, by infection of the cells with adenovirus-based PKCzeta construct, had no effect on its own, but it accelerated the rate of insulin-stimulated dissociation of IR.IRS-1 complexes and the rate of Tyr dephosphorylation of IRS-1. The insulin-stimulated negative regulatory role of PKCzeta was specific and could not be mimic by infecting Fao cells with adenoviral constructs encoding for PKC alpha, delta, or eta. Because the reduction in P-Tyr content of IRS-1 was accompanied by a reduced association of IRS-1 with p85, the regulatory subunit of PI3K, it suggests that this negative regulatory process induced by PKCzeta, has a built-in attenuation signal. Hence, insulin triggers a sequential cascade in which PI3K-mediated activation of PKCzeta inhibits IRS-1 functions, reduces complex formation between IRS-1 and PI3K, and inhibits further activation of PKCzeta itself. These findings implicate PKCzeta as a key element in a multistep negative feedback control mechanism of IRS-1 functions.

The insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 pleckstrin homology domain functions in downstream signaling

The pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of the insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) plays a role in directing this molecule to the insulin receptor, thereby regulating its tyrosine phosphorylation. In this work, the role of the PH domain in subsequent signaling was studied by constructing constitutively active forms of IRS-1 in which the inter-SH2 domain of the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase was fused to portions of the IRS-1 molecule. Chimeric molecules containing the PH domain were found to activate the downstream response of stimulating the Ser/Thr kinase Akt. A chimera containing point mutations in the PH domain that abolished the ability of this domain to bind phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate prevented these molecules from activating Akt. These mutations also decreased by about 70% the amount of the constructs present in a particulate fraction of the cells. These results indicate that the PH domain of IRS-1, in addition to directing this protein to the receptor for tyrosine phosphorylation, functions in the ability of this molecule to stimulate subsequent responses. Thus, compromising the function of the PH domain, e.g. in insulin-resistant states, could decrease both the ability of IRS-1 to be tyrosine phosphorylated by the insulin receptor and to link to subsequent downstream targets.

Recent advances in our understanding of insulin action and insulin resistance

Insulin signaling at the target tissue results in a large array of biological outcomes. These events are essential for normal growth and development and for normal homeostasis of glucose, fat, and protein metabolism. Elucidating the intracellular events after activation of the IR has been the primary focus of a large number of investigators for decades, and for excellent reasons. Understanding the signaling pathways involved in insulin action could lead to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of insulin resistance associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes, and identifying key molecules and processes could lead to newer and more effective therapeutic agents for treating these common disorders.

This review summarizes our previous understanding of how insulin acts and outlines some recent developments in our understanding of insulin action and insulin resistance at the cellular level, beginning with a discussion on the discovery of evolutionarily conserved molecules of the insulin signaling pathways. This article will also provide a summary of a few in vitro and cellular models of insulin resistance and a description of some new paradigms in the cellular mechanisms of insulin action.

This review will not attempt to be all-inclusive; for a more comprehensive understanding, readers are referred to more complete reviews on insulin action (1–5).

IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation reflects insulin-induced metabolic and mitogenic responses in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes

We determined the involvement of Tyr-1158 within the regulatory loop of the insulin receptor (IR) in the generation of insulin-specific responses in situ. For this purpose chimeric receptors with an epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor extracellular domain and an IR cytoplasmic domain (EIR) were constructed, which allow activation of the cytoplasmic IR domain without activation of endogenous wt-IRs. Tyr-1158 of the chimera EIR was exchanged for Phe, creating a mutant chimeric receptor (EIR-Y1158F). Chimeric receptors were expressed in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes, which do not show insulin-specific responses upon EGF stimulation. We found that pre-adipocytes expressing EIR-Y1158F were impaired in their ability to stimulate glycogen synthesis and DNA synthesis upon maximal stimulation with EGF. EIR-Y1158F was impaired in its ability to phosphorylate insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 and induce downstream signals of IRS-1 phosphorylation, such as the association of IRS-1 with phosphatidyl-inositol-3'-kinase and the activation of protein kinase B (Akt). In contrast with the phosphorylation of IRS-1, the phosphorylation of IRS-2 and extracellular regulated protein kinase-1/-2 was normal in EIR-Y1158F expressing cells. These observations suggest that the level of IRS-1 phosphorylation rather than the level of IRS-2 phosphorylation mediates insulin-induced glycogen synthesis and DNA synthesis in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes.

IRS-1 and IRS-2 are recruited by TrkA receptor and oncogenic TRK-T1

TRK-T1 oncogene is generated by the rearrangement of the NGF receptor TrkA with TPR. This gives rise to the constitutive tyrosine autophosphorylation and activation of the kinase. To study TRK-T1 oncogenic signaling and compare it to that induced by the genuine receptor TrkA, we investigated the involvement of IRS-1, a docking protein implicated in mitogenic signaling induced by several growth factors, in TRK-T1 and TrkA signaling. Here, we show that IRS-1 and IRS-2 are phosphorylated on tyrosine in presence of both TRK-T1 and the activated TrkA receptor. These tyrosine phosphorylations lead to IRS-1- and IRS-2-induced recruitment of p85PI3K, SHP-2, and Grb2 and increase in PI 3-kinase activity associated with IRS-1. Furthermore, we found that TRK-T1 is able to activate c-fos serum responsive element in cooperation with IRS-1 and IRS-2. We observed that TRK-T1 stimulates DNA synthesis in wild-type fibroblasts but not in IRS-1(-/-) mouse embryo fibroblasts. Yeast two-hybrid system experiments showed the occurrence of direct interaction between TRK and IRS molecules, which suggests involvement of different modes of interactions. On the whole, our results suggest that IRS-1 and IRS-2 could be substrates of TRK-T1 and TrkA, and hence could participate in their signal generation.

Cloning and characterization of PHIP, a novel insulin receptor substrate-1 pleckstrin homology domain interacting protein

Insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) protein is a major substrate of the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase and is essential for transducing many of the biological effects of insulin including mitogenesis, gene expression, and glucose transport. The N terminus of IRS-1 contains a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain that is critical for recognition and subsequent phosphorylation of IRS-1 by the activated insulin receptor. Here we report the isolation of a novel protein, PHIP (PH-interacting protein), which selectively binds to the PH domain of IRS-1 in vitro and stably associates with IRS-1 in vivo. Importantly, mutants of the IRS-1 PH domain that disrupt the PH fold fail to bind to PHIP. Anti-phosphotyrosine immunoblots of PHIP revealed no discernible insulin receptor-regulated phosphorylation, suggesting that PHIP is not itself a substrate of the insulin receptor. In contrast to full-length PHIP, overexpression of the PH-binding region of PHIP has a pronounced inhibitory effect on insulin-induced IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation levels. Furthermore, expression of this dominant-negative PHIP mutant leads to a marked attenuation of insulin-stimulated mitogen-activated protein kinase activity. We conclude that PHIP represents a novel protein ligand of the IRS-1 PH domain that may serve to link IRS-1 to the insulin receptor.

Insulin receptor substrate (IRS) transduction system: distinct and overlapping signaling potential

Insulin receptor substrate (IRS) proteins play a central role in maintaining basic cellular functions such as growth and metabolism. They act as an interface between multiple growth factor receptors possessing tyrosine kinase activity, such as the insulin receptor, and a complex network of intracellular signalling molecules containing Src homology 2 (SH2) domains. Four members (IRS-1, IRS-2, IRS-3, IRS-4) of this family have been identified which differ in their subcellular distribution and interaction with SH2 domain proteins. In addition, differential IRS tissue- and developmental-specific expression patterns may contribute to specificity in their signaling potential.

Essential role of insulin receptor substrate-2 in insulin stimulation of Glut4 translocation and glucose uptake in brown adipocytes

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor I signals are mediated via phosphorylation of a family of insulin receptor substrate (IRS) proteins, which may serve both complementary and overlapping functions in the cell. To study the metabolic effects of these proteins in more detail, we established brown adipocyte cell lines from wild type and various IRS knockout (KO) animals and characterized insulin action in these cells in vitro. Preadipocytes derived from both wild type and IRS-2 KO mice could be fully differentiated into mature brown adipocytes. In differentiated IRS-2 KO adipocytes, insulin-induced glucose uptake was decreased by 50% compared with their wild type counterparts. This was the result of a decrease in insulin-stimulated Glut4 translocation to the plasma membrane. This decrease in insulin-induced glucose uptake could be partially reconstituted in these cells by retrovirus-mediated re-expression of IRS-2, but not overexpression of IRS-1. Insulin signaling studies revealed a total loss of IRS-2-associated phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase activity and a reduction in phosphotyrosine-associated PI 3-kinase by 30% (p < 0.05) in the KO cells. The phosphorylation and activity of Akt, a major downstream effector of PI 3-kinase, as well as Akt-dependent phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3 and p70S6 kinase were not affected by the lack of IRS-2; however, there was a decrease in insulin stimulation of Akt associated with the plasma membrane. These results provide evidence for a critical role of IRS-2 as a mediator of insulin-stimulated Glut4 translocation and glucose uptake in adipocytes. This occurs without effects in differentiation, total activation of Akt and its downstream effectors, but may be caused by alterations in compartmentalization of these downstream signals.

Insulin receptor substrate polymorphisms and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Insulin receptor substrate (IRS) molecules are key mediators in insulin signalling and play a central role in maintaining basic cellular functions, such as growth, survival and metabolism. They act as docking proteins for the insulin receptor and a complex network of intracellular signalling molecules containing Src homology 2 (SH2) domains. Four members (IRS-1, IRS-2, IRS-3 and IRS-4) of this family have been identified that differ in tissue distribution, subcellular localisation, developmental expression, binding to the insulin receptor and interaction with SH2 domain-containing proteins. Results from targeted disruption of the IRS genes in mice have provided important clues as to the functional differences among these related molecules and suggest that they play very different roles in vivo. The available data are consistent with the notion that both IRS-1 and IRS-2 are important for insulin action and glucose homeostasis in vivo, whereas IRS-and IRS-4 appear to play a redundant role in the IRS signalling system. Considering their key role in both insulin action and insulin secretion, IRS-1 and IRS-2 molecules have been considered plausible candidate genes involved in the pathogenesis of Type 2 diabetes. Several polymorphisms in the IRS genes have been identified, but only the Gly --> Arg72 substitution of IRS-1, acting with environmental factors, seems to have a pathogenic role in the development of Type 2 diabetes. In contrast, polymorphisms of the other IRS genes do not appear to contribute to Type 2 diabetes.

SOCS-3 is an insulin-induced negative regulator of insulin signaling

The SOCS proteins are induced by several cytokines and are involved in negative feedback loops. Here we demonstrate that in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, insulin, a hormone whose receptor does not belong to the cytokine receptor family, induces SOCS-3 expression but not CIS or SOCS-2. Using transfection of COS-7 cells, we show that insulin induction of SOCS-3 is enhanced upon Stat5B expression. Moreover, Stat5B from insulin-stimulated cells binds directly to a Stat element present in the SOCS-3 promoter. Once induced, SOCS-3 inhibits insulin activation of Stat5B without modifying the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity. Two pieces of evidence suggest that this negative regulation likely results from competition between SOCS-3 and Stat5B binding to the same insulin receptor motif. First, using a yeast two-hybrid system, we show that SOCS-3 binds to the insulin receptor at phosphotyrosine 960, which is precisely where Stat5B binds. Second, using confocal microscopy, we show that insulin induces translocation of SOCS-3 from an intracellular compartment to the cell membrane, leading to colocalization of SOCS-3 with the insulin receptor. This colocalization is dependent upon phosphorylation of insulin receptor tyrosine 960. Indeed, in cells expressing an insulin receptor mutant in which tyrosine 960 has been mutated to phenylalanine, insulin does not modify the cellular localization of SOCS-3. We have thus revealed an insulin target gene of which the expression is potentiated upon Stat5B activation. By inhibiting insulin-stimulated Stat5B, SOCS-3 appears to function as a negative regulator of insulin signaling.

Signalling through the insulin receptor

The insulin receptor substrates function at the heart of the insulin signalling network. It has recently become apparent that the intracellular localisation of these molecules is regulated in a precise manner that is critical for both the generation and the termination of the insulin signal. Some insulin receptor substrate isoforms appear to be associated with an insoluble matrix that resembles the cytoskeleton. When inappropriately dissociated from this matrix the signalling network collapses concomitant with loss of insulin sensitivity.

Direct interaction of nerve growth factor receptor, TrkA, with non-receptor tyrosine kinase, c-Abl, through the activation loop

The nerve growth factor receptor, TrkA, is essential for the survival and differentiation of neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems. To understand the molecular principles underlying this differentiation step, we employed a yeast two-hybrid screening protocol using human TrkA as bait. We isolated c-Abl as a TrkA-interacting protein, in addition to known proteins such as phospholipase Cgamma and SH2-B. This interaction was confirmed by an in vitro binding assay using glutathione S-tranferase-Abl fusion protein. Furthermore, we show here that c-Abl binds to phosphotyrosine residue(s) in the kinase activation loop of TrkA.

In vivo functional analysis of the daughter of sevenless protein in receptor tyrosine kinase signaling

One mechanism used by receptor tyrosine kinases to relay a signal to different downstream effector molecules is to use adaptor proteins that provide docking sites for a variety of proteins. The daughter of sevenless (dos) gene was isolated in a genetic screen for components acting downstream of the Sevenless (Sev) receptor tyrosine kinase. Dos contains a N-terminally located PH domain and several tyrosine residues within consensus binding sites for a number of SH2 domain containing proteins. The structural features of Dos and experiments demonstrating tyrosine phosphorylation of Dos upon Sev activation suggested that Dos belongs to the family of multisite adaptor proteins that include the Insulin Receptor Substrate (IRS) proteins, Gab1, and Gab2. Here, we studied the structural requirements for Dos function in receptor tyrosine kinase mediated signaling processes by expressing mutated dos transgenes in the fly. We show that mutant Dos proteins lacking the putative binding sites for the SH2 domains of Shc, PhospholipaseC-gamma (PLC-gamma) and the regulatory subunit of Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-K) can substitute the loss of endogenous Dos function during development. In contrast, tyrosine 801, corresponding to a predicted Corkscrew (Csw) tyrosine phosphatase SH2 domain binding site, is essential for Dos function. Furthermore, we assayed whether the Pleckstrin homology (PH) domain is required for Dos function and localization. Evidence is provided that deletion or mutation of the PH domain interferes with the function but not with localization of the Dos protein. The Dos PH domain can be replaced by the Gab1 PH domain but not by a heterologous membrane anchor, suggesting a specific function of the PH domain in regulating signal transduction.

beta(3)-adrenergic stimulation differentially inhibits insulin signaling and decreases insulin-induced glucose uptake in brown adipocytes

Activity of the sympathetic nervous system is an important factor involved in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and associated metabolic and vascular abnormalities. In this study, we investigate the molecular basis of cross-talk between beta(3)-adrenergic and insulin signaling systems in mouse brown adipocytes immortalized by SV40 T infection. Insulin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), and IRS-2 was reduced by prestimulation of beta(3)-adrenergic receptors (CL316243). Similarly, insulin-induced IRS-1-associated and phosphotyrosine-associated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) activity, but not IRS-2-associated PI 3-kinase activity, was reduced by beta(3)-adrenergic prestimulation. Furthermore, insulin-stimulated activation of Akt, but not mitogen-activated protein kinase, was diminished. Insulin-induced glucose uptake was completely inhibited by beta(3)-adrenergic prestimulation. These effects appear to be protein kinase A-dependent. Furthermore inhibition of protein kinase C restored the beta(3)-receptor-mediated reductions in insulin-induced IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation and IRS-1-associated PI 3-kinase activity. Together, these findings indicate cross-talk between adrenergic and insulin signaling pathways. This interaction is protein kinase A-dependent and, at least in part, protein kinase C-dependent, and could play an important role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance associated with sympathetic overactivity and regulation of brown fat metabolism.

Multiple in vivo tyrosine phosphorylation sites in EphB receptors

Autophosphorylation regulates the function of receptor tyrosine kinases. To dissect the mechanism by which Eph receptors transmit signals, we have developed an approach using matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry to map systematically their in vivo tyrosine phosphorylation sites. With this approach, phosphorylated peptides from receptors digested with various endoproteinases were selectively isolated on immobilized anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies and analyzed directly by MALDI mass spectrometry. Multiple in vivo tyrosine phosphorylation sites were identified in the juxtamembrane region, kinase domain, and carboxy-terminal tail of EphB2 and EphB5, and found to be remarkably conserved between these EphB receptors. A number of these sites were also identified as in vitro autophosphorylation sites of EphB5 by phosphopeptide mapping using two-dimensional chromatography. Only two in vitro tyrosine phosphorylation sites had previously been directly identified for Eph receptors. Our data further indicate that in vivo EphB2 and EphB5 are also extensively phosphorylated on serine and threonine residues. Because phosphorylation at each site can affect receptor signaling properties, the multiple phosphorylation sites identified here for the EphB receptors suggest a complex regulation of their functions, presumably achieved by autophosphorylation as well as phosphorylation by other kinases. In addition, we show that MALDI mass spectrometry can be used to determine the binding sites for Src homology 2 (SH2) domains by identifying the EphB2 phosphopeptides that bind to the SH2 domain of the Src kinase.

Differences in signaling properties of the cytoplasmic domains of the insulin receptor and insulin-like growth factor receptor in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Insulin and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) elicit distinct but overlapping biological effects in vivo. To investigate whether differences in intrinsic signaling capacity of receptors contribute to biological specificity, we constructed chimeric receptors containing the extracellular portion of the neurotrophin receptor TrkC fused to the intracellular portion of the insulin or IGF-I receptors. Chimeras were stably expressed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes at levels comparable to endogenous insulin receptors and were efficiently activated by neurotrophin-3. The wild-type insulin receptor chimera mediated approximately 2-fold greater phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), association of IRS-1 with phosphoinositide 3-kinase, stimulation of glucose uptake, and GLUT4 translocation, compared with the IGF-I receptor chimera. In contrast, the IGF-I receptor chimera mediated more effective Shc phosphorylation, association of Shc with Grb2, and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase compared with the insulin receptor chimera. The two receptors elicited similar activation of protein kinase B, p70S6 kinase, and glycogen synthesis. We conclude that the insulin receptor mediates some aspects of metabolic signaling in adipocytes more effectively than the IGF-I receptor, as a consequence of more efficient phosphorylation of IRS-1 and greater recruitment/activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase.

Phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) by protein kinase B positively regulates IRS-1 function

Incubation of cells with insulin leads to a transient rise in Tyr phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate (IRS) proteins, accompanied by elevation in their Ser(P)/Thr(P) content and their dissociation from the insulin receptor (IR). Wortmannin, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor, selectively prevented the increase in Ser(P)/Thr(P) content of IRS-1, its dissociation from IR, and the decrease in its Tyr(P) content following 60 min of insulin treatment. Four conserved phosphorylation sites within the phosphotyrosine binding/SAIN domains of IRS-1 and IRS-2 served as in vitro substrates for protein kinase B (PKB), a Ser/Thr kinase downstream of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Furthermore, PKB and IRS-1 formed stable complexes in vivo, and overexpression of PKB enhanced Ser phosphorylation of IRS-1. Overexpression of PKB did not affect the acute Tyr phosphorylation of IRS-1; however, it significantly attenuated its rate of Tyr dephosphorylation following 60 min of treatment with insulin. Accordingly, overexpression of IRS-1(4A), lacking the four potential PKB phosphorylation sites, markedly enhanced the rate of Tyr dephosphorylation of IRS-1, while inclusion of vanadate reversed this effect. These results implicate a wortmannin-sensitive Ser/Thr kinase, different from PKB, as the kinase that phosphorylates IRS-1 and acts as the feedback control regulator that turns off insulin signals by inducting the dissociation of IRS proteins from IR. In contrast, insulin-stimulated PKB-mediated phosphorylation of Ser residues within the phosphotyrosine binding/SAIN domain of IRS-1 protects IRS-1 from the rapid action of protein-tyrosine phosphatases and enables it to maintain its Tyr-phosphorylated active conformation. These findings implicate PKB as a positive regulator of IRS-1 functions.

Imidapril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, improves insulin sensitivity by enhancing signal transduction via insulin receptor substrate proteins and improving vascular resistance in the Zucker fatty rat

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are antihypertensive agents, that inhibit the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, resulting in smooth-muscle relaxation and a reduction of vascular resistance. Recently, it has been suggested that ACE inhibitors improve insulin resistance in diabetic patients. To investigate the effect of an ACE inhibitor on insulin sensitivity, insulin signaling, and circulation, imidapril was administered orally or intraduodenally to Zucker fatty rats. Oral administration of imidapril improved insulin sensitivity based on the results of an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and a decrease in urinary glucose secretion. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) activity associated with hepatic insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) in the insulin-stimulated condition was significantly enhanced 110% without a significant alteration in tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 in the imidapril-treated group. In muscle, IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation and PI 3-kinase activity associated with IRS-1 in the insulin-stimulated condition were enhanced 70% and 20%, respectively, in the imidapril-treated group. In contrast, an alteration of the IRS-2 pathway was observed only in liver; a significant insulin-induced increase in the IRS-2-associated PI 3-kinase over the basal level was observed in the imidapril-treated group but not in the control. In addition, treatment with imidapril was shown to significantly reduce blood pressure and increase blood flow in the liver and muscle. These results suggest that the ACE inhibitor imidapril may improve insulin sensitivity not only by acting directly on the insulin signaling pathway but also by increasing blood flow in tissues via normalization of vascular resistance, a major cause of hypertension.

The function of PTB domain proteins

Phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domains have been identified in a large number of proteins. In proteins like Shc and IRS-1, the PTB domain binds in a phosphotyrosine-dependent fashion to peptides that form a b turn. In these proteins, PTB domains play an important role in signal transduction by growth factor receptors. However, in several other proteins, the PTB domains have been found to participate in phosphotyrosine-independent interactions. The X11 family of proteins contains a PTB domain that binds peptides in a phosphotyrosine-independent fashion. The homologue of X11 in C. elegans is the lin-10 gene, a gene crucial for receptor targeting to the basolateral surface of body wall epithelia. The X11/Lin-10 proteins are found in a complex with two other proteins, Lin-2 and Lin-7, which have also been implicated in basolateral targeting in worm epithelia. This protein complex is also likely to be important in the targeting of cell surface proteins in mammalian neurons and epithelia. The ability of the PTB domain to bind peptides in a phosphotyrosine-dependent and -independent fashion allows this domain to be involved in diverse cellular functions.

Differential modulation of the tyrosine phosphorylation state of the insulin receptor by IRS (insulin receptor subunit) proteins

In response to insulin, tyrosine kinase activity of the insulin receptor is stimulated, leading to autophosphorylation and tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins including insulin receptor subunit (IRS)-1, IRS-2, and Shc. Phosphorylation of these proteins leads to activation of downstream events that mediate insulin action. Insulin receptor kinase activity is requisite for the biological effects of insulin, and understanding regulation of insulin receptor phosphorylation and kinase activity is essential to understanding insulin action. Receptor tyrosine kinase activity may be altered by direct changes in tyrosine kinase activity, itself, or by dephosphorylation of the insulin receptor by protein-tyrosine phosphatases. After 1 min of insulin stimulation, the insulin receptor was tyrosine phosphorylated 8-fold more and Shc was phosphorylated 50% less in 32D cells containing both IRS-1 and insulin receptors (32D/IR+IRS-1) than in 32D cells containing only insulin receptors (32D/IR), insulin receptors and IRS-2 (32D/IR+IRS-2), or insulin receptors and a form of IRS-1 that cannot be phosphorylated on tyrosine residues (32D/IR+IRS-1F18). Therefore, IRS-1 and IRS-2 appeared to have different effects on insulin receptor phosphorylation and downstream signaling. Preincubation of cells with pervanadate greatly decreased protein-tyrosine phosphatase activity in all four cell lines. After pervanadate treatment, tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptors in insulin-treated 32D/IR, 32D/ IR+IRS-2, and 32D/IR+IRS-1F18 cells was markedly increased, but pervanadate had no effect on insulin receptor phosphorylation in 32D/IR+IRS-1 cells. The presence of tyrosine-phosphorylated IRS-1 appears to increase insulin receptor tyrosine phosphorylation and potentially tyrosine kinase activity via inhibition of protein-tyrosine phosphatase(s). This effect of IRS-1 on insulin receptor phosphorylation is unique to IRS-1, as IRS-2 had no effect on insulin receptor tyrosine phosphorylation. Therefore, IRS-1 and IRS-2 appear to function differently in their effects on signaling downstream of the insulin receptor. IRS-1 may play a major role in regulating insulin receptor phosphorylation and enhancing downstream signaling after insulin stimulation.

Irs-2 coordinates Igf-1 receptor-mediated beta-cell development and peripheral insulin signalling

Insulin receptor substrates (Irs proteins) mediate the pleiotropic effects of insulin and Igf-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1), including regulation of glucose homeostasis and cell growth and survival. We intercrossed mice heterozygous for two null alleles (Irs1+/- and Irs2+/-) and investigated growth and glucose metabolism in mice with viable genotypes. Our experiments revealed that Irs-1 and Irs-2 are critical for embryonic and post-natal growth, with Irs-1 having the predominant role. By contrast, both Irs-1 and Irs-2 function in peripheral carbohydrate metabolism, but Irs-2 has the major role in beta-cell development and compensation for peripheral insulin resistance. To establish a role for the Igf-1 receptor in beta-cells, we intercrossed mice heterozygous for null alleles of Igf1r and Irs2. Our results reveal that Igf-1 receptors promote beta-cell development and survival through the Irs-2 signalling pathway. Thus, Irs-2 integrates the effects of insulin in peripheral target tissues with Igf-1 in pancreatic beta-cells to maintain glucose homeostasis.

Insulin signalling: metabolic pathways and mechanisms for specificity

Biological actions of insulin are mediated by the insulin receptor, a member of a large family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK). Signal transduction by the insulin receptor follows a paradigm for RTK signalling. Many intracellular signalling molecules contain multiple modular domains that mediate protein-protein interactions and participate in the formation of signalling complexes. Phosphorylation cascades are also a prominent feature of RTK signalling. Distal pathways are difficult to dissect because branching paths emerge from downstream effectors and several upstream inputs converge upon single branch points. Thus, insulin action is determined by complicated signalling networks rather than simple linear pathways. Interestingly, many signalling molecules downstream from the insulin receptor are also activated by a plethora of RTKs. Therefore, mechanisms that generate specificity are required. In this review we discuss recent advances in the elucidation of specific metabolic insulin signalling pathways related to glucose transport, one of the most distinctive biological actions of insulin. We also present examples of potential mechanisms underlying specificity in insulin signalling including interactions between multiple branching pathways, subcellular compartmentalization, tissue-specific expression of key effectors and modulation of signal frequency and amplitude.

Interaction of insulin receptor substrate 3 with insulin receptor, insulin receptor-related receptor, insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor, and downstream signaling proteins

Insulin receptor substrates (IRS) mediate biological actions of insulin, growth factors, and cytokines. All four mammalian IRS proteins contain pleckstrin homology (PH) and phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domains at their N termini. However, the molecules diverge in their C-terminal sequences. IRS3 is considerably shorter than IRS1, IRS2, and IRS4, and is predicted to interact with a distinct group of downstream signaling molecules. In the present study, we investigated interactions of IRS3 with various signaling molecules. The PTB domain of mIRS3 is necessary and sufficient for binding to the juxtamembrane NPXpY motif of the insulin receptor in the yeast two-hybrid system. This interaction is stronger if the PH domain or the C-terminal phosphorylation domain is retained in the construct. As determined in a modified yeast two-hybrid system, mIRS3 bound strongly to the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Although high affinity interaction required the presence of at least two of the four YXXM motifs in mIRS3, there was not a requirement for specific YXXM motifs. mIRS3 also bound to SHP2, Grb2, Nck, and Shc, but less strongly than to p85. Studies in COS-7 cells demonstrated that deletion of either the PH or the PTB domain abolished insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of mIRS3. Insulin stimulation promoted the association of mIRS3 with p85, SHP2, Nck, and Shc. Despite weak association between mIRS3 and Grb2, this interaction was not increased by insulin, and may not be mediated by the SH2 domain of Grb2. Thus, in contrast to other IRS proteins, mIRS3 appears to have greater specificity for activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway rather than the Grb2/Ras pathway.

Mutation of tyrosine 960 within the insulin receptor juxtamembrane domain impairs glucose transport but does not inhibit ligand-mediated phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-2 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

CSF-1 is equipotent to insulin in its ability to stimulate 2-[3H]deoxyglucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes expressing the colony stimulating factor-1 receptor/insulin receptor chimera (CSF1R/IR). However, CSF-1-stimulated glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis is reduced by 50% in comparison to insulin in 3T3-L1 cells expressing a CSF1R/IR mutated at Tyr960 (CSF1R/IRA960). CSF-1-treated adipocytes expressing the CSF1R/IRA960 were impaired in their ability to phosphorylate insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) but not in their ability to phosphorylate IRS-2. Immunoprecipitation of IRS proteins followed by Western blotting revealed that the intact CSF1R/IR co-precipitates with IRS-2 from CSF-1-treated cells. In contrast, the CSF1R/IRA960 co-precipitates poorly with IRS-2. These observations suggest that Tyr960 is important for interaction of the insulin receptor cytoplasmic domain with IRS-2, but it is not essential to the ability of the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase to use IRS-2 as a substrate. These observations also suggest that in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-2 by the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase is not sufficient for maximal stimulation of receptor-regulated glucose transport or glycogen synthesis.

Differential role of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 and IRS-2 in L6 skeletal muscle cells expressing the Arg1152 --> Gln insulin receptor

In L6 muscle cells expressing the Arg1152 --> Gln insulin receptor (Mut), basal tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 was increased by 35% compared with wild-type cells (WT). Upon exposure to insulin, IRS-1 phosphorylation increased by 12-fold in both the Mut and WT cells. IRS-2 was constitutively phosphorylated in Mut cells and not further phosphorylated by insulin. The maximal phosphorylation of IRS-2 in basal Mut cells was paralleled by a 4-fold increased binding of the kinase regulatory loop binding domain of IRS-2 to the Arg1152 --> Gln receptor. Grb2 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase association to IRS-1 and IRS-2 reflected the phosphorylation levels of the two IRSs. Mitogen-activated protein kinase activation and [3H]thymidine incorporation closely correlated with IRS-1 phosphorylation in Mut and WT cells, while glycogen synthesis and synthase activity correlated with IRS-2 phosphorylation. The Arg1152 --> Gln mutant did not signal Shc phosphorylation or Shc-Grb2 association in intact L6 cells, while binding Shc in a yeast two-hybrid system and phosphorylating Shc in vitro. Thus, IRS-2 appears to mediate insulin regulation of glucose storage in Mut cells, while insulin-stimulated mitogenesis correlates with the activation of the IRS-1/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in these cells. IRS-1 and Shc-mediated mitogenesis may be redundant in muscle cells.

The IRS-signalling system: a network of docking proteins that mediate insulin action

New molecules discovered during the past ten years have created a rational framework to understand signalling transduction by a broad range of growth factors and cytokines, including insulin. Insulin action is initiated through the insulin receptor, a transmembrane glycoprotein with intrinsic protein tyrosine kinase activity. The tyrosine kinase mediates the insulin response through tyrosine phosphorylation of various cellular substrates, in particular the IRS-proteins. During insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation, the IRS-proteins mediate a broad biological response by binding and activating various enzymes or adapter molecules. Although we are far from a complete understanding of the insulin signalling system and its failure, enough pieces of the puzzle are falling into place that mechanism-based solutions to insulin resistance encountered with type II diabetes may soon be attainable.

The IRS-signalling system: a network of docking proteins that mediate insulin action

New molecules discovered during the past ten years have created a rational framework to understand signalling transduction by a broad range of growth factors and cytokines, including insulin. Insulin action is initiated through the insulin receptor, a transmembrane glycoprotein with intrinsic protein tyrosine kinase activity. The tyrosine kinase mediates the insulin response through tyrosine phosphorylation of various cellular substrates, in particular the IRS-proteins. During insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation, the IRS-proteins mediate a broad biological response by binding and activating various enzymes or adapter molecules. Although we are far from a complete understanding of the insulin signalling system and its failure, enough pieces of the puzzle are falling into place that mechanism-based solutions to insulin resistance encountered with type II diabetes may soon be attainable.

Different subcellular distribution and regulation of expression of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-3 from those of IRS-1 and IRS-2

Adipocytes contain three major substrate proteins of the insulin receptor, termed IRS-1, IRS-2, and IRS-3. We demonstrated that IRS-1 and IRS-2 are located mainly in the low density microsome (LDM) fraction and are tyrosine phosphorylated in response to insulin stimulation, leading to phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase activation. In contrast, IRS-3 is located mainly in the plasma membrane (PM) fraction and contributes to PI 3-kinase activation in the PM fraction. The different cellular localizations of IRS proteins may account for the mechanism of insulin resistance induced by a high fat diet, considering that PI 3-kinase activation in the LDM fraction is reportedly essential for the translocation of GLUT4 in adipocytes. High fat feeding in rats increased both protein and mRNA levels of IRS-3 but decreased those of IRS-1 and IRS-2 in epididymal adipocytes. As a result, selective impairment of insulin-induced PI 3-kinase activation was observed in the LDM fraction, whereas PI 3-kinase activation was conserved in the PM fraction. This is the first report showing that different IRS proteins function in different subcellular compartments, which may contribute to determining the insulin sensitivity in adipocytes.

Mutations in the Activation Loop Tyrosines of Protein Tyrosine Kinase Syk Abrogate Intracellular Signaling But Not Kinase Activity

The protein tyrosine kinase Syk plays a pivotal role in mediating the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI)-induced degranulation of mast cells. To examine the mechanism of Syk regulation, the two tyrosine residues at 519 and 520 in the putative activation loop of rat Syk were mutated to phenylalanine either singly or in combination. The various mutants were expressed in a Syk-negative variant of the RBL-2H3 (rat basophilic leukemia 2H3) mast cell line. In these transfected cell lines, mutant Syk did show increased tyrosine phosphorylation in vivo and increased enzymatic activity in vitro after FcεRI aggregation. There were conformational changes detected by an Ab when the wild-type and mutant Syk were either tyrosine phosphorylated or bound to tyrosine-phosphorylated immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif peptides. However, these mutant Syk were incapable of transducing FcεRI signaling. In cells in which the expression level of mutant Syk was similar to that of the wild-type Syk, FcεRI cross-linking induced no increase in cellular protein tyrosine phosphorylation, no increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C-γ2 and mitogen-activated protein kinase, and no histamine release. Overexpression of Y519F or Y520F Syk mutants partially reconstituted the signaling pathways. These results indicate that these tyrosines in the putative activation loop are not essential for the enzymatic activity of Syk or for the conformational changes induced by binding of tyrosine-phosphorylated immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif peptides. However, these tyrosines are necessary for Syk-mediated propagation of FcεRI signaling.

Identification of the rat adapter Grb14 as an inhibitor of insulin actions

We cloned by interaction with the beta-subunit of the insulin receptor the rat variant of the human adapter Grb14 (rGrb14). rGrb14 is specifically expressed in rat insulin-sensitive tissues and in the brain. The binding of rGrb14 to insulin receptors is insulin-dependent in vivo in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells overexpressing both proteins and importantly, in rat liver expressing physiological levels of proteins. However, rGrb14 is not a substrate of the tyrosine kinase of the receptor. In the two-hybrid system, two domains of rGrb14 can mediate the interaction with insulin receptors: the Src homology 2 (SH2) domain and a region between the PH and SH2 domains that we named PIR (for phosphorylated insulin receptor-interacting region). In vitro interaction assays using deletion mutants of rGrb14 show that the PIR, but not the SH2 domain, is able to coprecipitate insulin receptors, suggesting that the PIR is the major binding domain of rGrb14. The interaction between rGrb14 and the insulin receptors is almost abolished by mutating tyrosine residue Tyr1150 or Tyr1151 of the receptor. The overexpression of rGrb14 in CHO-IR cells decreases insulin stimulation of both DNA and glycogen synthesis. These effects are accompanied by a decrease in insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1, but insulin receptor autophosphorylation is unaltered. These findings suggest that rGrb14 could be a new downstream signaling component of the insulin-mediated pathways.

Evidence that IRS-2 phosphorylation is required for insulin action in hepatocytes

Insulin receptor substrates (IRSs) are tyrosine-phosphorylated following stimulation with insulin, insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), and interleukins. A key question is whether different IRSs play different roles to mediate insulin's metabolic and growth-promoting effects. In a novel system of insulin receptor-deficient hepatocytes, insulin fails to (i) stimulate glucose phosphorylation, (ii) enhance glycogen synthesis, (iii) suppress glucose production, and (iv) promote mitogenesis. However, insulin's ability to induce IRS-1 and gab-1 phosphorylation and binding to phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase is unaffected, by virtue of the compensatory actions of IGF-1 receptors. In contrast, phosphorylation of IRS-2 and generation of IRS-2/PI 3-kinase complexes are markedly reduced. Thus, absence of insulin receptors selectively reduces IRS-2, but not IRS-1 phosphorylation, and the impairment of IRS-2 activation is associated with lack of insulin effects. To address whether phosphorylation of additional IRSs is also affected, we analyzed phosphotyrosine-containing proteins in PI 3-kinase immunoprecipitates from insulin-treated cells. However, these experiments indicate that IRS-1 and IRS-2 are the main PI 3-kinase-bound proteins in hepatocytes. These data identify IRS-2 as the main effector of both the metabolic and growth-promoting actions of insulin through PI 3-kinase in hepatocytes, and IRS-1 as the main substrate mediating the mitogenic actions of IGF-1 receptors.