Purification and properties of insulin receptors from rat liver membranes

Expression and purification of functional insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 holoreceptors from mammalian cells

The insulin receptor (IR) and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) are receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) involved in the regulation of many important cellular processes. The current proposed models of activation are derived from structural studies using soluble extracellular domains and cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase domains. Preparations of full length IR and IGF1R have been hampered by the need for unconventional affinity chromatography resins and/or harsh eluting conditions. Here, we present a purification protocol to obtain full-length, detergent solubilized IR and IGF1R at quantities suitable for biochemical and structural characterization. We screened a panel of 24 structurally diverse detergents for optimal ligand activation. The receptors purified in n-dodecyl-β-D-maltoside showed ligand-stimulated autophosphorylation and kinase activity, suggesting an intact transmembrane signaling mechanism. This convenient purification protocol can be used to produce high quantities of IR, IGF1R, or other RTKs, and can be adapted for other challenging membrane proteins.

Affinity Chromatography of Native and Recombinant Proteins from Receptors for Insulin and IGF-I to Recombinant Single Chain Antibodies

Affinity chromatography is an efficient method to isolate proteins by taking advantage of their affinities for specific molecules such as substrates, inhibitors, antigens, ligands, antibodies, and other interacting molecules, including subunits. Nowadays, we take the effectiveness and excellence of this technology for granted. This essay will mainly cover the use of affinity chromatography based on my experience.

Hyperinsulinemia is Associated with Increased Soluble Insulin Receptors Release from Hepatocytes

It has been generally assumed that insulin circulates freely in blood. However it can also interact with plasma proteins. Insulin receptors are located in the membrane of target cells and consist of an alpha and beta subunits with a tyrosine kinase cytoplasmic domain. The ectodomain, called soluble insulin receptor (SIR) has been found elevated in patients with diabetes mellitus. We explored if insulin binds to SIRs in circulation under physiological conditions and hypothesize that this SIR may be released by hepatocytes in response to high insulin concentrations. The presence of SIR in rat and human plasmas and the culture medium of hepatocytes was explored using Western blot analysis. A purification protocol was performed to isolated SIR using affinity, gel filtration, and ion exchange chromatographies. A modified reverse hemolytic plaque assay was used to measure SIR release from cultured hepatocytes. Incubation with 1 nmol l(-1) insulin induces the release of the insulin receptor ectodomains from normal rat hepatocytes. This effect can be partially prevented by blocking protease activity. Furthermore, plasma levels of SIR were higher in a model of metabolic syndrome, where rats are hyperinsulinemic. We also found increased SIR levels in hyperinsulinemic humans. SIR may be an important regulator of the amount of free insulin in circulation. In hyperinsulinemia, the amount of this soluble receptor increases and this could lead to higher amounts of insulin bound to this receptor, rather than free insulin, which is the biologically active form of the hormone. This observation could enlighten the mechanisms of insulin resistance.

The effect of pea albumin 1F on glucose metabolism in mice

Pea albumin 1F (PA1F), a plant peptide isolated from pea seeds, can dramatically increase blood glucose concentration by subcutaneous injection with a dosage of 5 or 10 microg/g (body weight) in normal and type II diabetic mice (KK/upj-Ay). The voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC-1) has been identified as the PA1F binding protein from mice pancreatic cell membrane, which may be involved in the regulation of enhancing blood glucose in response to PA1F binding. The results clearly show that peptide-signaling molecules from plants can affect mammalian physiological functions, especially, in association with glucose metabolism.

Insulin receptors and insulin receptor antibodies: structure-function relationships

The insulin receptor has been purified by affinity chromatography and studied by affinity-labelling techniques. It appears to be a disulphide-linked heterotetramer, (alpha beta)2, composed of two copies of a 135,000 Mr subunit (alpha), and two copies of a 90,000 Mr subunit (beta). Beta is readily proteolysed to generate a 45,000 Mr fragment (beta 1). Alpha, beta and beta 1 all contain sialic acid and are, therefore, probably all exposed on the external surface of the membrane. Although alpha is predominantly labelled in affinity-labelling studies, beta and beta 1 can also be labelled. Therefore, alpha, beta and beta 1 are all in proximity to the insulin-binding site and may contain part of the binding site. Antibodies have been prepared against the intact, purified receptor and against the isolated alpha subunit. Both antibodies directly interact with the insulin receptor as indicated by their ability to immunoprecipitate the receptor. Neither antibody, however, directly competes with insulin binding. Therefore, they are probably directed against regions of the receptor distinct from the insulin-binding site. In spite of this, these antibodies have a wide range of insulin-like activities.

Purification and characterization of a feline hepatic insulin receptor

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the functional characteristics of a highly purified soluble liver insulin receptor in cats.

SAMPLE POPULATION

Frozen livers from domestic cats were obtained commercially.

PROCEDURES

The feline hepatic insulin receptor was purified from Triton X-100 solubilized plasma membranes by the use of several chromatography matrices, including affinity chromatography on an insulin-Sepharose matrix.

RESULTS

The receptor, although not homogeneous, was purified 3,000-fold. Two silver-stained protein bands were identified following sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) with molecular weight of 134,000 and 97,000, which are similar to insulin receptors isolated from other animals. This isolated receptor had steady-state insulin binding by 40 minutes at 24 C. Optimal insulin binding occurred at pH 7.8 and with 150 mM NaCl. Under these conditions, a curvilinear Scatchard plot was obtained with the isolated receptor. Using a 2 binding-site model, the feline insulin receptor had a high-affinity low-capacity site with a dissociation constant (KD; nM) of 3 and a low-affinity high-capacity site with a K(D) of 1,180. The receptor also had tyrosine kinase activity toward an exogenous substrate that was stimulated by insulin and protamine.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Many of the reported characteristics of the liver insulin receptor in cats are similar to those for the receptor isolated from other animals and tissues, although some differences exist. These similarities suggest that characterization of the feline insulin receptor is important to understanding insulin resistance in cats with diabetes as well as in humans with diabetes.

Solubilization and characterization of high affinity follicle-stimulating hormone receptors from porcine granulosa cells

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-receptors were solubilized from immature porcine ovarian granulosa cells with retention of high affinity 125I-porcine FSH-binding activity. The optimal concentration of Triton X-100 for solubilization was 0.5% (w/v), and the optimal cellular protein concentration 25 mg/ml. Glycerol (30%) increased recovery of solubilized receptor. 125I-pFSH-binding affinity ranged from 4 x 10(10) M-1 to 8 x 10(10) M-1 in either the absence or presence of glycerol. 125I-pFSH-binding capacity was 5 fmol/mg protein in the absence of glycerol and 58 fmol/mg protein in the presence of glycerol as determined by equilibrium saturation binding analysis. By gel permeation chromatography, the apparent size of the 125I-pFSH-receptor complex was 462 kDa in the absence of glycerol and 762 kDa in the presence of glycerol. Ligand blotting of solubilized receptor yielded a single species with an apparent molecular weight of 200 kDa under nonreducing conditions and a single species with an apparent molecular weight of 60 kDa under reducing conditions. These studies indicated that high affinity FSH-binding activity can be solubilized from membranes of immature porcine granulosa.

The cellular and physiological actions of insulin in the central nervous system

Insulin is a peptide hormone involved in the regulation of glucose homeostasis. Its synthesis and function in the peripheral tissues have been extensively studied and well understood. In contrast, demonstration of insulin in the brain has raised questions concerning its origin and physiological significance. In spite of extensive studies, the source of insulin present in the brain has not yet been conclusively identified. Evidence exists in support of both peripheral and central origins of this hormone in the brain. Recognized physiological effects of insulin in the central nervous system (CNS) include regulation of food intake, control of glucose uptake and trophic actions on neuronal and glial cells. These actions of insulin are mediated by insulin receptor resembling closely that in peripheral tissues and coupled with tyrosine kinase signal transduction pathway. In this review we will discuss theories concerning the origin of insulin in the CNS. In addition, we will present current information on both cellular and physiological effects of this hormone in the brain.

A cytosolic protein tyrosine kinase in rat adipocytes

Previous studies suggested that insulin receptor tyrosine kinase (IRTK) is the sole tyrosine kinase in rat adipocytes. We now report that this cell type also contains a cytosolic soluble protein tyrosine kinase (CytPTK) which is not related to IRTK. The enzyme phosphorylated PolyGlu4Tyr with high efficiency at a rate of 20 +/- 2 pmol PTyr/20 micrograms PolyGlu4Tyr/20 min/micrograms cytosolic protein. Upon gel filtration chromatography the enzyme activity was eluted as a single peak corresponding to a molecular mass of 53 +/- 3 kDa. Unlike IRTK, CytPTK activity was supported by Co2+ rather than by Mn2+, and it was not inactivated by N-ethylmaleimide. The enzyme was extremely sensitive to inhibition by staurosporine (ID50 = 3 nM) as opposed to IRTK (ID50 = 8 microM). In addition, CytPTK (but not IRTK) was largely activated by vanadate ions. Agents which affect the serine/threonine phosphorylation state of cell proteins did not alter CytPTK activity when subjected to intact adepocytes. In a cell-free system CytPTK activity was largely reduced by pretreatment with immobilized alkaline phosphatase at physiological pH. The possibility that CytPTK participates in insulin-independent regulation of glucose metabolism is suggested.

Insulin receptor is phosphorylated in response to treatment of HepG2 cells with insulin-like growth factor I

1. Binding of insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) to HepG2 cells was analysed with regard to competition by both insulin and IGF-I. At concentrations of insulin that caused maximal phosphorylation of the insulin receptor, virtually no displacement of IGF-I binding was observed. Similarly, at concentrations of IGF-I that caused maximal phosphorylation of the IGF-I receptor, no displacement of insulin binding was observed. 2. When the phosphorylation of both receptors was examined individually by using specific monoclonal antibodies to immunoprecipitate the receptors, phosphorylation of the insulin receptor was found to increase on both serine and tyrosine residues in cells treated with 100 ng of IGF-I/ml. In contrast, no increased phosphorylation of IGF-I receptor was observed in cells treated with 100 ng of insulin/ml. 3. The increase in phosphorylation of insulin receptor in response to IGF-I correlated with the dose-response of IGF-I-stimulated phosphorylation of the IGF-I receptor. 4. The IGF-I-stimulated phosphorylation of the insulin receptor could be blocked by preincubation with a monoclonal antibody that blocks IGF-I binding to the IGF-I receptor.

Purification of the membrane protein enzyme lipoamidase by affinity chromatography

Lipoamidase, a membrane glycoprotein enzyme, was purified from brain membrane by means of various affinity columns. A column with immobilized Arg-Phe-NH2 was found to be the most effective. After loading the crude material of the membrane, and extensive washing of the column with sodium chloride (0.3 M) solution, the enzyme activity was eluted by a solution containing 1% of nonionic detergent (Nonidet P-40). The fractions containing the lipoamidase activity were analyzed by SDS-PAGE, and a single protein band detected in this fraction. On the other hand, lipoyl-affinity columns with various resins were not effective in enzyme purification. Single step chromatography on the Arg-Phe-NH2 column enriched the membrane enzyme lipoamidase by 40-fold. The mechanism by which this affinity resin effectively enriches the enzyme remains to be elucidated.

The insulin receptor: structure and function

Promising progress in understanding the molecular basis of insulin action has been achieved by demonstrating that the insulin receptor is an insulin-sensitive tyrosine kinase. Here we discuss the structure of this receptor kinase and compare it with receptors for related growth factors. We review the known modes to regulate the receptor kinase activity, either through its autophosphorylation (on tyrosine residues) or through its phosphorylation by other kinases (on serine and threonine residues). We discuss the role of the receptor kinase activity in hormone signal transduction in light of results indicating a reduced kinase activity in insulin-resistant states. Finally, studies to identify natural substrates for the insulin receptor kinase are presented. The possible physiological role of these phosphorylated substrates in mediating insulin action is evaluated.

Proteolytic activity in the insulin receptor

When a highly purified preparation of rat liver insulin receptor is incubated with trypsin, the receptor develops hydrolytic activity towards N alpha-benzoyl-L-arginine ethyl ester, N alpha-p-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester, and N alpha-benzoyl-DL-arginine-p-nitroanilide, (compounds which are synthetic substrates of trypsin). The activity toward N alpha-benzoyl-DL-arginine-p-nitroanilide is inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor but not by N alpha-p-tosyl-L-lysil chloromethyl ketone. These data are consistent with the presence of proteolytic activity in the insulin receptor specific for the bonds whose carbonyl functions are provided by arginine but not by lysine. Furthermore we found that the esterase activity toward N alpha-benzoyl-L-arginine ethyl ester in the presence of trypsin is enhanced by insulin, and that the concentration of insulin that produced the half maximum stimulation is of the same magnitude as the dissociation constant for the soluble receptor. These data suggest that the insulin receptor is a zymogen, activated by trypsin, and based on its specific activity, may be the protease which releases a peptide chemical mediator of intracellular action of insulin.

Distinct receptors for insulin-like growth factor I in rat renal glomeruli and tubules

Purified preparations of renal glomeruli and tubules were obtained by a procedure involving perfusion of rat kidneys with magnetic iron oxide particles to selectively separate the iron-containing glomeruli from the nonmagnetic tubules. Detergent-soluble extracts of both renal glomerular and tubular membranes showed high-affinity, specific binding of 125I-labeled insulin-like growth factor I (125I-IGF-I), whereas degradation of this peptide hormone was minimal during a 90-min incubation at 22 degrees C in the presence of 2.5 mM EDTA and 5 mM N-ethylmaleimide. The affinity of these receptors for IGF-I appeared identical in the two types of renal tissue, since 50% inhibition of 125I-IGF-I binding to both glomerular and tubular tissue occurred in the presence of approximately 3 x 10(-9) M unlabeled IGF-I. In contrast, insulin was much less effective at blocking 125I-IGF-I binding to either tissue, with 1 x 10(-6) M insulin required to produce 50% inhibition of binding. Relative to 125I-IGF-I binding, 125I-insulin binding to glomerular and tubular tissue was significantly lower per milligram protein. 125I-IGF-I was specifically cross-linked to a glomerular receptor subunit that migrated as two discrete bands with relative molecular weight (Mr) of 140,000-150,000 on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels in the presence of 40 mM dithiothreitol. In contrast, 125I-IGF-I was cross-linked to a tubular receptor subunit that migrated as two discrete bands but at a slightly different position, with Mr of 120,000-140,000.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Separation and characterization of three insulin receptor species that differ in subunit composition

Partially purified human placental insulin receptor preparations give rise to three distinct insulin-binding peaks when eluted from a Mono Q high-performance liquid chromatography anion-exchange column. We analyzed the basis for this phenomenon by affinity cross-linking of insulin to each peak, followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. We find that the three insulin-binding peaks represent different molecular weight complexes with the following subunit composition: (alpha beta)2, (alpha beta)(alpha beta'), and (alpha beta')2, where beta' represents a proteolytically derived fragment of the beta subunit. This analysis of subunit composition was confirmed by silver staining of affinity-purified insulin receptor following resolution of the forms on a Mono Q column as described previously. We have characterized the three isolated insulin receptor forms with regard to ligand binding by LIGAND and Scatchard analysis. We also measured insulin-stimulatable autophosphorylation and exogenous kinase activity directed toward poly(Glu/Tyr) (4:1). The three forms of the insulin receptor exhibit similar KD's for insulin binding to the high- and low-affinity sites. The (alpha beta)2 and (alpha beta)(alpha beta') forms of the insulin receptor display superimposable curvilinear Scatchard plots. In contrast, only the intact holoreceptor (alpha beta)2 form demonstrates insulin-stimulatable autophosphorylation and exogenous kinase activity. The (alpha beta)(alpha beta') form has reduced basal kinase activity which was not increased by prior incubation with insulin. The (alpha beta')2 form lacks a kinase domain and consequently demonstrated no kinase activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Purification and autophosphorylation of insulin receptors from rat skeletal muscle

Insulin receptors of rat skeletal muscle were purified by first extracting a plasma membrane-enriched pellet obtained from a muscle homogenate with Triton X-100, followed by WGA-Sepharose and insulin-Sepharose affinity chromatography. Routinely, 4-5 micrograms of purified receptor were obtained from 15 g of tissue. The purified receptors are composed of two major polypeptides with molecular weights of 130,000 and 95,000, respectively. The binding of [125I]insulin by the purified receptors was analyzed by a Scatchard plot. There are at least two binding components. The high-affinity component, with an apparent association constant (Ka) of 2.0 X 10(9) M-1, comprises 10% of the total insulin binding sites; while the low-affinity component, with a Ka value of 1.4 X 10(8) M-1, represents 90% of the binding sites. Assuming the insulin receptor to have a molecular weight of 300,000, the receptor binds 1.7 mol of insulin per mol at saturation. Insulin is capable of stimulating the autophosphorylation of the beta-subunit of the muscle insulin receptor (Mr 95,000) by 5-10-fold. The stoichiometry of this phosphorylation reaction was determined as 0.8 phosphate per insulin binding site after a 10 min incubation with 100 nM insulin. In a previous report, I showed that the insulin stimulation of glucose transport in diaphragms from neonatal rats was small, even although the diaphragms had normal levels of insulin receptors and glucose transporters (Wang, C. (1985). Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82, 3621-3625). To determine whether or not receptor autophosphorylation might be related to this insensitivity to insulin, the level of receptor phosphorylation was quantitated in diaphragms from rats at different stages of development. Autophosphorylation remains unchanged from birth to 21 days of age, suggesting that the lower insulin-stimulated glucose uptake by diaphragms at early stages of postnatal development as compared to that by diaphragms of older rats, is not due to a difference in receptor kinase.

Characterization of affinity-purified type I insulin-like growth factor receptor from human placenta

The binding affinities of type I IGF receptor, purified to near homogeneity from human placental membranes, were characterized. For this receptor preparation, free of type II IGF receptor and essentially free of insulin receptor, dissociation constants of Kd = 0.05 nM for IGF I and of Kd = 0.2 nM for IGF II (linear Scatchard plots) were determined. Competitive binding studies indicated a cross-reactivity of approximately 40% for IGF II to the type I IGF receptor.

Insulin receptors: structure and function

The recent characterization of the human insulin receptor structure and its intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity represent major advances in our understanding of the mechanism of insulin action. It is reasonable to think that the insulin-induced autophosphorylation and activation of its receptor kinase represent an important event in the action of insulin on cell metabolism and growth. The fundamental research reviewed may be followed by the discovery of molecular receptor defects in clinical syndromes of insulin resistance.

Purification of the type I insulin-like growth factor receptor from human placenta

The type I IGF receptor from human placental membranes was purified to near homogeneity by affinity chromatography on IGF I-Sepharose. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the affinity purified type I IGF receptor demonstrated a high molecular weight protein with Mr greater than or equal to 300,000 under non-reducing conditions. After reduction with 2-mercaptoethanol two protein bands were found of Mr = 125,000 and 95,000, representing the alpha- and beta-subunits of the receptor molecule, respectively. A co-purification of the insulin receptor through the IGF I-affinity column could be avoided by a preincubation step with insulin.

Protein kinase activity of the insulin receptor

The insulin receptor is an integral membrane glycoprotein (Mr approximately 300,000) composed of two alpha-subunits (Mr approximately 130,000) and two beta-subunits (Mr approximately 95,000) linked by disulphide bonds. This oligomeric structure divides the receptor into two functional domains such that alpha-subunits bind insulin and beta-subunits possess tyrosine kinase activity. The amino acid sequence deduced from cDNA of the single polypeptide chain precursor of human placental insulin receptor revealed that alpha- and beta-subunits consist of 735 and 620 residues, respectively. The alpha-subunit is hydrophilic, disulphide-bonded, glycosylated and probably extracellular. The beta-subunit consists of a short extracellular region which links the alpha-subunit through disulphide bridges, a hydrophobic transmembrane region and a longer cytoplasmic region which is structurally homologous with other tyrosine kinases like the src oncogene product and EGF receptor kinases. The cellular function of insulin receptors is dual: transmembrane signalling and endocytosis of hormone. The binding of insulin to its receptor on the cell membrane induces transfer of signal from extracellular to cytoplasmic receptor domains leading to activation of cell metabolism and growth. In addition, hormone-receptor complexes are internalized leading to intracellular proteolysis of insulin, whereas receptors are recycled to the membrane. These phenomena are kinetically well-characterized, but their molecular mechanisms remain obscure. Insulin receptor in different tissues and animal species are homologous in their structure and function, but show also significant differences regarding size of alpha-subunits, binding kinetics, insulin specificity and receptor-mediated degradation. We suggest that this heterogeneity of receptors may be linked to the diversity in insulin effects on metabolism and growth in various cell types. The purified insulin receptor phosphorylates its own beta-subunit and exogenous protein and peptide substrates on tyrosine residues, a reaction which is insulin-sensitive, Mn2+-dependent and specific for ATP. Tyrosine phosphorylation of the beta-subunit activates receptor kinase activity, and dephosphorylation with alkaline phosphatase deactivates the kinase. In intact cells or impure receptor preparations, a serine kinase is also activated by insulin. The cellular role of two kinase activities associated with the insulin receptor is not known, but we propose that the tyrosine- and serine-specific kinases mediate insulin actions on metabolism and growth either through dual-signalling or sequential pathways.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Homogeneous bivalent insulin receptor: purification using insulin coupled to 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole activated-agarose

A novel affinity gel, consisting of insulin coupled to 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole-activated agarose (CDI-agarose), was used to purify insulin receptors from human placenta to homogeneity. This affinity gel is reproducibly prepared and is reported to have a number of advantages over the standard cyanogen bromide activated supports, such as ease and simplicity of coupling and minimal ligand leakage and non-specific binding. Insulin receptors in Triton X-100-solubilized microsomal membranes were purified 2,000-fold by sequential affinity chromatography on wheat germ lectin-agarose and insulin-CDI-activated agarose. They have one of the highest specific insulin-binding capacities (6 nmol/mg protein) reported and can be calculated to have a binding valence of two on the basis that the molecular weight of the oligomeric receptor is 300-350,000.

Post-translational processing and activation of insulin and EGF proreceptors

We have investigated the role of glycosylation on the post-translational processing of the insulin, and EGF proreceptor polypeptides. Following translation of the insulin proreceptor, by 3T3-L1 adipocytes, about 1.5 h are required for its conversion into active receptor; an additional 1.5 h are needed for the active receptor to reach the plasma membrane. During this 3-hour period the proreceptor undergoes a complex series of processing events, glycosylation being an essential processing step. Thus, treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with tunicamycin caused the loss of cellular insulin binding activity and the accumulation of an inactive aglyco-proreceptor. Similarly, it was demonstrated in human A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells that the initial EGF-proreceptor (160 kDa) translation product undergoes a slow (t 1/2 = 30 min) processing step by which ligand (EGF) binding activity was acquired. It was shown that N-linked core oligosaccharide addition is essential for this critical processing step and the acquisition of EGF binding activity. This was found not to require the conversion of high mannose chains to complex chains which have been capped with fucose and sialic acid. Possible explanations for this activation in terms of translocation of intermediates and/or formation of disulfide bonds are discussed. To investigate post-translational processing of normal insulin proreceptor and the role of glycosylation in active receptor formation, metabolic labeling experiments were conducted. The first 35S-methionine-labeled intermediate detected is a 190 kDa polypeptide (proreceptor) which is rapidly (t 1/2 = 15 min) processed into a 210 kDa species. Both polypeptides contain N-linked core oligosaccharide chains, but in the latter case these chains appear to contain terminal N-acetylglucosamine. The 210 kDa precursor is converted slowly (t 1/2 = 2 h) by proteolytic processing into a 125 kDa (alpha') and 83 kDa (beta') species. Immediately prior to insertion into the plasma membrane, 3 h after its synthesis, the alpha' and beta' precursors are converted to mature receptor comprised of alpha-(135 kDa) and beta-(95 kDa) subunits. The 125 kDa alpha'- and 83 kDa beta'-subunit precursors are endoglycosidase H-sensitive and their oligosaccharide chains do not contain terminal sialic acid. Just prior to insertion into the plasma membrane the alpha' and beta' precursors are sialylated, apparently in the Golgi apparatus, giving rise to the 135 kDa alpha and 95 kDa beta receptor subunits and become Endo H-resistant and neuraminidase-sensitive. A proposed sequence of post-translational processing events for the insulin proreceptor is shown in Figure 10.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Purification of the catalytically active phosphorylated form of insulin receptor kinase by affinity chromatography with O-phosphotyrosyl-binding antibodies

The catalytically active, tyrosyl-phosphorylated form of insulin receptor kinase was isolated from human placenta by a procedure which exploits the propensity for the intact alpha 2 beta 2 form of insulin receptor to undergo insulin-promoted autophosphorylation at tyrosyl residues and concomitant activation as a tyrosyl kinase. Purification of tyrosyl-phosphorylated insulin receptor was effected by adsorption on and elution (with a hapten) from a column of O-phosphotyrosyl-binding antibody immobilized on protein A-Sepharose (Ab-protein A). The starting material for the purification process was protein which had been solubilized from placental membranes and purified by chromatography on immobilized wheat germ agglutinin. After chromatography on Ab-protein A to remove preexisting O-phosphotyrosyl-containing proteins, the fraction which did not adsorb to the Ab-protein A column was incubated with insulin and briefly treated with ATP so as to maximize selective autophosphorylation of insulin receptor. This material was then subjected to chromatography on Ab-protein A. Although the amount of the intact alpha 2 beta 2 form of insulin receptor present in the starting material was only a small fraction of the protein (approximately 0.2%) and only approximately 20% of the insulin-binding forms of the receptor present, it was eluted (with 10 mM p-nitrophenyl phosphate) from the column in greater than or equal to 80% purity. Chromatography on Ab-protein A appears to have an advantage over the alternative affinity chromatographic procedures which utilize immobilized insulin or antiinsulin receptor antibody to adsorb insulin receptor, since these procedures do not resolve the intact alpha 2 beta 2 form of insulin receptor from the nicked insulin-binding forms of the receptor which do not undergo insulin promoted autophosphorylation.

Control of cell locomotion: perturbation with an antibody directed against specific glycoproteins

A murine monoclonal antibody, SLOW-1, was selected, which inhibits the locomotion of chick embryo fibroblasts (the immunizing cells) in tissue culture. The antibody, an IgM, cross-reacts in locomotion assays with a number of tumor and untransformed cells, and on fixed and permeabilized cells binds 1-5 X 10(5) target sites with an affinity of 10(-8) M. The antigen can be extracted from cells with isotonic buffers containing EGTA, binds to Concanavalin A, and when analyzed on SDS gels by immunoblotting, two major antigenic glycoproteins are detected at 57 kd (isoelectric point, 5.1) and at 44 kd (isoelectric point, 5.4). The antigenic site involves galactosyl or mannosyl residues, or both, within a complex, N-linked carbohydrate tree. The possible contribution of the SLOW-1 antigen to a common control system of locomotion operating over the cell surface is discussed.

Receptor affinity chromatography

Insulin receptor was purified in high yield from cultured 3T3-L1 mouse adipocytes using the bifunctional ligand N alpha B1-(biotinyl-epsilon-aminocaproyl)insulin in conjunction with avidin-Sepharose CL-4B. This ligand is 100% competent as insulin and 60% competent as biotin, as measured by competitive binding assays. The procedure requires preliminary removal of biotin-containing proteins on "native" avidin-Sepharose CL-4B. This matrix shows nearly the same biotin-binding characteristics as uncoupled avidin and can be regenerated by washing with 0.02 N HCl, causing only a minor loss of nonexchangeable biotin-binding sites. Insulin receptor is isolated by formation of a complex between the bifunctional ligand and the receptor, and then adsorption to "monomeric" avidin-Sepharose via the biotin moiety. This affinity matrix binds [14C]biotin with a Kd approximately equal to 0.2 microM and has exchangeable/nonexchangeable biotin binding sites in the ratio 9:1. Displacement of homogeneous insulin receptor is achieved by the addition of biotin; the elution is time-dependent, suggesting that it is accomplished by the prevention of rebinding.

Posttranslational processing of the insulin proreceptor

Following translation of the insulin proreceptor by 3T3-L1 adipocytes, about 1.5 hours is required for its conversion into active receptor; an additional 1.5 hours is needed for the active receptor to reach the plasma membrane. During this 3-hour period the proreceptor undergoes a complex series of processing events, glycosylation being an essential processing step. Thus, treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with tunicamycin causes the depletion of cellular insulin binding activity and the accumulation of an inactive aglyco proreceptor. To investigate posttranslational processing of normal proreceptor and the role of glycosylation in active receptor formation, metabolic labeling experiments were conducted. The first 35S-labeled intermediate detected is a 190-kDa polypeptide (proreceptor) which is rapidly (t1/2 = 15 minutes) processed into a 210-kDa species. Both polypeptides contain N-linked core oligosaccharide chains, but in the latter case these chains appear to contain terminal N-acetylglucosamine. The 210-kDa precursor is converted slowly (t1/2 = 2 hours) by proteolytic processing into a 125-kDa (alpha') and 83-kDa (beta') species. Immediately prior to insertion into the plasma membrane, 3 hours after its synthesis, the alpha' and beta' precursors are converted to mature receptor composed of alpha (135 kDa) and beta (95 kDa) subunits. The 125-kDa alpha' and 83-kDa beta' precursors are endoglycosidase H-sensitive and their oligosaccharide chains do not contain terminal sialic acid. Just prior to insertion into the plasma membrane the alpha' and beta' precursors are sialylated, giving rise to the 135-kDa alpha and 95-kDa beta receptor subunits and becoming Endo H resistant and neuraminidase sensitive. In the presence of tunicamycin, a 180-kDa aglyco receptor polypeptide accumulates which is not further processed and does not reach the cell surface. It is concluded that N-linked oligosaccharide chains on the proreceptor are required either for its intracellular translocation to the proteolytic cleavage site or for its identification as a target of the cleavage enzyme. Thus, glycosylation of the insulin proreceptor is crucial for proper processing and formation of functional receptor.

Avidin-biotin affinity chromatography: application to the isolation of human placental insulin receptor

The ligand N alpha, B1-(6-biotinylamido)hexanoyl-insulin was attached noncovalently to Sepharose 4B immobilized succinoylavidin to form an insulin-affinity resin. This resin was used to isolate highly purified insulin receptor from human placental tissue by a four step process involving (i) preparation of a crude membrane fraction, (ii) solubilization with Triton X-100, (iii) wheat germ agglutinin purification, and (iv) insulin-affinity chromatography. NaDodSO4/PAGE of the purified 125I-labeled receptor under nonreducing conditions showed the presence of a major component with an approximate molecular weight of 350,000 and a minor component with a molecular weight of approximately equal to 166,000. Based on the assumption that the degree of labeling is comparable in both components, the material corresponding to the Mr 350,000 peak represents approximately equal to 94% of the receptor preparation as determined by scanning the autoradiograms. The specific insulin binding capacity of the preparation is 18 +/- 6 micrograms of 125I-labeled insulin per mg of protein as determined by the polyethylene glycol assay and analyzed by Scatchard plot. Insulin binding activity was stable at 4 degrees C and pH 7.6 for at least 12 weeks but was destroyed by freezing and thawing. The availability of highly purified receptor afforded the opportunity to explore its precipitability by polyethylene glycol under assay conditions. Whereas trichloroacetic acid precipitated 95% of the 125I-labeled receptor, polyethylene glycol precipitated only 30%. If the specific activity of the receptor is corrected for incomplete precipitability by polyethylene glycol, the apparent specific binding would be 3.5 +/- 1.2 mol of insulin per mol of receptor. These results are in disagreement with the current receptor model, which postulates that 1 mol of receptor (Mr, 350,000) binds 2 mol of insulin. Clearly, the problems associated with the method available for determining insulin binding are sufficiently serious to preclude their use in determining receptor valence.

Lectin-mediated binding of liposome-inserted membrane proteins to red blood cells. A method to detect binding of antibodies to purified rat histocompatibility antigen or binding of insulin to the insulin receptor

Partially purified membrane proteins such as the rat RT-1 histocompatibility antigen or the insulin receptor of porcine liver were inserted into liposomes. These liposomes then bound efficiently to Con A-coated red blood cells. After attachment of the liposomes to the cells, cell-liposome conjugates could be separated from free liposomes by centrifugation. Binding of FITC-labeled specific antibodies or insulin to membrane proteins inserted into the liposomes could then be analyzed with a cell flow cytofluorometer. The amount of RT-1 antigen that became associated with the cells depended on the composition and concentration of phospholipids during liposome formation. No association of RT-1 antigen to the cells was obtained in the presence of 50 mM alpha-methyl mannoside. The technique allows detection of micrograms amounts of the histocompatibility antigen associated with the red blood cells. It was possible to detect binding of insulin to cells to which approximately 9 ng (3 X 10(-14) mol) insulin receptor/10(6) cells had been attached. This amount of membrane protein was close to the detection limit of the method.

Insulin receptor is an insulin-dependent tyrosine protein kinase: copurification of insulin-binding activity and protein kinase activity to homogeneity from human placenta

The insulin-binding activity and insulin-dependent tyrosine protein kinase activity of the insulin receptor have been purified 2000-fold to homogeneity from human placental membranes. The purified receptor has one high-affinity binding site for insulin per mol of receptor. Its Vmax for phosphorylating angiotensin is 80 nmol of phosphate per min per mg of protein at 23 degrees C. The procedure used to purify the receptor includes chromatography on wheat germ agglutinin-agarose and on insulin-Sepharose. The purified receptor was eluted from insulin-Sepharose with 0.5 M NaCl and 1 mM dithiothreitol at pH 5.5. The addition of dithiothreitol was essential for recovery of the protein kinase. A silver-stained gel of the reduced purified receptor showed two major bands, Mr 95,000 (beta subunit) and Mr 135,000 (alpha subunit). The component of Mr 95,000 comigrated with the autophosphorylated beta subunit of the receptor. The latter was phosphorylated exclusively on tyrosine residues by an intramolecular process. In the presence of insulin, approximately 2 mol of phosphate was incorporated per mol of beta subunit. Two major beta subunit tryptic phosphopeptides were resolved by high-pressure liquid chromatography after autophosphorylation of the purified receptor in the presence or absence of insulin. It is concluded that the insulin binding and the insulin-dependent protein kinase are intrinsic components of the same oligomer since (i) they copurify to homogeneity, (ii) the purified receptor protein kinase is immunoprecipitated by polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to the human insulin receptor, and (iii) phosphorylation of the beta subunit of the receptor occurs by an intramolecular reaction.

Covalent labelling of the lutropin binding site. Evidence for a single Mr 90000 sialoglycopolypeptide

Membrane-associated sialoglycopolypeptides of rat ovaries were oxidized with NaIO4, reduced with NaB3H4 and solubilized with Triton X-100. The solubilized proteins carrying the 3H label were subjected to affinity chromatography on human choriogonadotropin coupled to agarose. Polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulphate followed by fluorography revealed a single component of apparent Mr 90000. This component was abolished when ovaries saturated with choriogonadotropin were used as starting material. The above result is identical to that obtained previously by conventional detection methods [ Metsikk ö & Rajaniemi (1982) Biochem. J. 208, 309-316] and indicates that the 3H-labelled lutropin/choriogonadotropin sialoglycopolypeptide was observed. The affinity-purified 3H-labelled protein co-eluted with the choriogonadotropin-binding activity solubilized with Triton X-100 from rat ovarian particles, showed a Stokes' radius of 6.2 nm and sedimented as a single band with a sedimentation coefficient of 5.1 S. The sedimentation coefficient of this 3H-labelled protein was not significantly altered when boiled in 1% sodium dodecyl sulphate, indicating that non-covalently associated subunits were not present. The 3H-labelled protein cosedimented with the choriogonadotropin-binding activity solubilized with Triton X-100 from rat ovary. When 125I-choriogonadotropin-receptor complex was covalently crosslinked with glutaraldehyde, an Mr 130000 component was produced as detected by sodium dodecyl sulphate gel electrophoresis. This component was extracted from the polyacrylamide gel and subjected to sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation in 0.1% Triton X-100. A single band sedimenting at the position of the 125I-choriogonadotropin-receptor complex solubilized from a prelabelled ovary was observed, exhibiting a sedimentation coefficient of 6.5S. These data suggest that the lutropin-binding site is a single sialoglycopolypeptide of Mr 90000, which binds one molecule of hormone resulting in an apparent Mr 130000 complex. The large Stokes' radius (6.2 nm) of the binding site is accounted for by bound detergent.

Pure beta-adrenergic receptor: the single polypeptide confers catecholamine responsiveness to adenylate cyclase

The beta-adrenergic receptor binding subunits from frog erythrocytes, hamster lung and guinea pig lung have been purified to apparent homogeneity and in all cases reside on a single polypeptide. Insertion of the pure receptors into phospholipid vesicles and subsequent fusion of these vesicles with a receptor-deficient cell conveys beta-adrenergic responsiveness to the adenylate cyclase system of the acceptor cell. Such responsiveness is linearly dependent on the amount of receptor used in the fusion experiments and is independent of the receptor source. Moreover, this responsiveness displays appropriate beta-adrenergic specificity. These results indicate that the beta-adrenergic receptor polypeptide contains both the ligand binding site and the site responsible for mediating stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity, presumably via interaction with the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein.