Identification of receptors for insulin-like growth factor II in two insulin-like growth factor II producing cell lines

Molecular interactions of the IGF system

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system is a complex network of two soluble ligands; several cell surface transmembrane receptors and six soluble high-affinity binding-proteins. The IGF system is essential for normal embryonic and postnatal growth, and plays an important role in the function of a healthy immune system, lymphopoiesis, myogenesis and bone growth among other physiological functions. Deregulation of the IGF system leads to stimulation of cancer cell growth and survival. In order to manipulate the IGF system in the treatment of certain disorders, we must understand the protein-protein interactions at a molecular level. The complex molecular interactions of the ligands and receptors of the IGF system underlie all the biological actions mentioned above and will be the focus of this review.

Effects of insulin-like growth factor I and II on DNA synthesis and proliferation in primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes

We compared the effects of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and II (IGF-II) on DNA synthesis and proliferation and investigated various signal transduction mechanisms involved in insulin-like growth factor-induced mitogenesis in primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes. IGF-I stimulated hepatocyte DNA synthesis and proliferation with an EC50 of 75 ng/ml within 4 h of culture. These effects were sensitive to the IGF-I concentration and cell density. Hepatocyte proliferation induced by IGF-I was potentiated by metaproterenol (10(-6) M) as well as by 8-bromo-cAMP, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA; 10(-8) M) and was inhibited by U-73122 (1-(-[[17beta-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-triene-17-yl]amino]hexyl]-+ ++1Hpyrrol-2,5-dione)), genistein, wortmannin, PD98059 (2'-amino-3'-methoxyflavone) and rapamycin. The IGF-I effect was independent of pertussis toxin (100 ng/ml). IGF-II also dose dependently stimulated hepatocyte DNA synthesis and proliferation with an EC50 of 0.75 ng/ml within 4 h of culture. However, these effects were not dependent on the initial plating density. The stimulatory effects of IGF-II were potentiated by UK-14304 (5-bromo-6-[2-imidazolin-2-ylamino]-quinoxaline) (10(-5) M) and inhibited by phenylephrine, PMA, metaproterenol, 8-bromo-cAMP, PD98059, rapamycin, and pertussis toxin. The IGF-II effects were not affected by genistein, U-73122, and wortmannin. These results suggest that IGF-I and IGF-II rapidly stimulate the DNA synthesis and proliferation of adult rat hepatocytes by separate mechanisms.

Mannose-6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor-II receptor is a receptor for retinoic acid

Retinoic acid (RA) exerts diverse biological effects in the control of cell growth in embryogenesis and oncogenesis. These effects of RA are thought to be mediated by the nuclear retinoid receptors. Mannose-6-phosphate (M6P)/insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) receptor is a multifunctional membrane glycoprotein that is known to bind both M6P and IGF-II and function primarily in the binding and trafficking of lysosomal enzymes, the activation of transforming growth factor-beta, and the degradation of IGF-II. M6P/IGF-II receptor has recently been implicated in fetal development and carcinogenesis. Despite the functional similarities between RA and the M6P/IGF-II receptor, no direct biochemical link has been established. Here, we show that the M6P/IGF-II receptor also binds RA with high affinity at a site that is distinct from those for M6P and IGF-II, as identified by a photoaffinity labeling technique. We also show that the binding of RA to the M6P/IGF-II receptor enhances the primary functions of this receptor. The biological consequence of the interaction appears to be the suppression of cell proliferation and/or induction of apoptosis. These findings suggest that the M6P/IGF-II receptor mediates a RA response pathway that is important in cell growth regulation. This discovery of the interaction of RA with the M6P/IGF-II receptor may have important implications for our understanding of the roles of RA and the M6P/IGF-II receptor in development, carcinogenesis, and lysosomal enzyme-related diseases.

Human mononuclear phagocytes express the insulin-like growth factor-II/mannose-6-phosphate receptor

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-II/mannose-6-phosphate (M6P) receptor, which targets acid hydrolases to lysosomes, is a multifunctional protein with separate binding sites for IGF-II and M6P. The purpose of this study was to determine if alveolar macrophages (AM) and their precursor cells, blood monocytes, expressed this receptor. AM expressed IGF-II/M6P receptors as detected by [125]IGF-II surface binding that was not reduced by recombinant IGF-I or IGF-I receptor monoclonal antibody (alpha IR3). Surface binding was also detected on blood monocytes and could be upregulated approximately 4-fold by incubation with lipopolysaccharide. There were no differences in surface binding by AM lavaged from individuals with asbestos exposure or from normal volunteers. Using the polymerase chain reaction and reverse transcriptase to reverse-transcribe mRNA from mononuclear phagocytes, specific IGF-II/M6P receptor cDNA was amplified and detected by agarose gel electrophoresis from both AM and blood monocytes. The IGF-II/M6P receptor has an intracellular transport role in many cells cycling from the cell surface to the cytoplasm, or binding to phosphorylated acid hydrolases in the Golgi and transporting them to an acidic prelysosomal site where they dissociate and fuse to the lysosomes and IGF-II/M6P recycles to the trans-Golgi. These functions may be particularly important in asbestosis and other interstitial lung diseases where AM are activated, intracellular lysosomes are a prominent morphologic feature, and acid hydrolases are found in recovered lavage fluid.

Evidence against a role for insulin-like growth factor II in the autonomous growth of rat 18,54-SF cells

The 18,54-SF rat cell line multiplies in serum-free medium and has been reported to produce insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) and to possess IGF-II/mannose 6-phosphate (Man-6-P) receptors, raising the possibility of autocrine growth stimulation by IGF-II acting through this receptor. When serum-free medium was changed every 24 h the 18,54-SF cells multiplied at the same rate as when the medium was not changed. An antibody (No. 3637) which blocks the binding of IGF-II to the IGF-II/Man-6-P receptor did not decrease or increase the growth rate of the 18,54-SF cells when medium was changed every 24 h. When the medium was changed every 12 h the rate of accumulation of cells in the culture was decreased. Addition of IGF-I or IGF-II at 10, 50, and 100 ng/ml every 12 h did not correct this decrease in cell number. When the medium was replaced every 12 h, cells in the periphery of the cultures gradually became nonviable as assessed by trypan blue uptake. However, the percentage of cells synthesizing DNA in the center of the cultures (approximately 50% during a 3 h pulse with tritiated thymidine) was the same whether the medium was changed every 12 h or left unchanged. Addition of IGF-I or IGF-II to the fresh medium change every 12 h did not increase the percentage of cells synthesizing DNA.

Autonomy in tumor cell proliferation

Autonomous replication of tumor cells seems to be an essential factor in the definition of the malignant tumor itself, although tumor cell proliferation is, in general, controlled by the host response including immunological reactions and microenvironment. The cause of the autonomy can hypothetically be classified into four categories as follow: (a) auto- and paracrine growth stimulation; (b) growth factor receptor abnormalities; (c) abnormal signal transduction; (d) self-incitement of 'initiator-replicon' system in DNA replication. These intracellular mechanisms may play important roles in the autonomy as shown in autocrine growth factors from the data obtained in protein-free cell culture. Hypothetically, negative regulation systems on the initiator-replicon may play roles of cell replication in multicellular organisms. Oncogene products and growth factors may affect this regulation system.

Presence of insulinlike growth factor receptors and lack of insulin receptors on fetal bovine smooth muscle cells

Previous investigations have demonstrated specific receptors and associated mitogenic actions for insulin and insulinlike growth factors I and II (IGF-I and II) in postnatal bovine aortic smooth muscle. Using fetal tissue we have observed different patterns of binding and action for these peptides. Smooth muscle cells isolated from near-term fetal bovine aortae were studied in early passage. Specific receptors for both IGF-I and IGF-II were identified. Specific binding averaged 5.7%/2.5 X 10(5) cells for IGF-I, and 16.2% for IGF-II, and 0.3% for insulin. High affinity Kd for both IGF receptors were nanomolar. IGF-II was fivefold less potent than IGF-I in displacing IGF-I binding. IGF-I showed no affinity for the IGF-II receptor. Insulin, at physiologic concentrations, was incapable of displacing either IGF-I or IGF-II binding. Cellular incorporation of [methyl-3H]thymidine was stimulated at the lowest dose of IGF-I tested, 0.5 ng/ml. IGF-II showed no effect up to 100 ng/ml, after which a sharp increase in incorporation was noted. Insulin had a similar effect only at concentrations greater than 0.5 micrograms/ml, with a maximal response noted at 5 to 10 micrograms/ml. Our results indicate that fetal bovine aortic smooth muscle cells have an abundance of IGF receptors but lack specific insulin receptors. In addition, IGF-II binding levels are three times higher than for IGF-I. These results are consistent with observations in other species, in which a predominance of IGF over insulin receptors has been demonstrated in fetal tissue, and provide further evidence for a role for the IGFs in embryonic cellular metabolism.

Insulinlike growth factor II expression and oval cell proliferation associated with hepatocarcinogenesis in woodchuck hepatitis virus carriers

Insulinlike growth factor II (IGF-II) is a highly mitogenic fetal growth factor suspected of regulating the growth of a wide spectrum of tissues via an autocrine or paracrine mode of action or both. High steady-state levels of IGF-II RNA were detected in 45% of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) arising from woodchuck livers with persistent woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) infection. Analysis of WHV RNA in the same HCCs revealed that HCCs with high levels of IGF-II RNA contained low or undetectable levels of WHV RNA and HCCs with low levels of IGF-II RNA contained high levels of WHV RNA. Integrated WHV DNA was present in HCCs from both groups, but viral DNA replicating forms were present, predominantly in HCCs with low levels of IGF-II. Several IGF-II RNAs, the most prominent of which were poly(A) species of approximately 3.75 and 1.1 to 1.3 kilobases, were detected only in precancerous nodules and HCCs. Levels of IGF-II were elevated two- to three-fold in the serum of woodchucks with chronic active hepatitis preceding the occurrence of HCC. Proliferation of a population of oval cells, which arise from portal tract regions in the liver, preceded the development of HCC and was a prominent feature of livers from which tumors with high levels of IGF-II occurred. The HCCs tended to have distinct histological features according to their growth factor status. Tumors with low levels of IGF-II were generally highly differentiated acinar-trabecular HCCs, whereas tumors with high levels of IGF-II were more anaplastic, with regions of fibrosis and fatty accumulation. A model to relate the pathology of WHV infection to oval cell proliferation and IGF-II expression in the development of these heterogeneous HCCs is presented.

Evidence that type II insulin-like growth factor receptor is coupled to calcium gating system

In competent Balb/c 3T3 cells primed with epidermal growth factor (primed competent cells), insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) stimulated calcium influx in a concentration dependent manner with the ED50 of 450 pM. When receptor-bound [125I]IGF-II was cross-linked by use of disuccinimidyl suberate, a 240 K-Da protein was radiolabeled. Excess amount of unlabeled IGF-II inhibited the affinity-labeling of the 240 K-Da protein. To further examine whether IGF-II stimulates calcium influx by acting on the type II IGF receptor, we employed polyclonal antibody raised against rat type II IGF receptor, R-II-PABl. This antibody immunoprecipitated the type II IGF receptor and inhibited IGF-II binding in Balb/c 3T3 cell membrane without affecting IGF-I binding. In primed competent cells, R-II-PABl elicited an agonistic action in stimulating [3H]thymidine incorporation. Under the same condition, R-II-PABl elicited a marked stimulation of calcium influx. These results suggest that, in Balb/c 3T3 cells, 1) relatively low concentrations of IGF-II act mainly on the type II IGF receptor; 2) the type II IGF receptor is coupled to a calcium gating system; and 3) binding of a ligand to the type II IGF receptor leads to the stimulation of DNA synthesis.

Insulin-like growth factor II receptor as a multifunctional binding protein

The primary structure of human insulin-like growth factor II receptor, predicted from the complementary DNA sequence, reveals a transmembrane receptor molecule with a large extracellular domain made up of fifteen repeat sequences and a small region homologous to the collagen-binding domain of fibronectin. The structural and biochemical features of the IGF-II receptor appear identical to those of the cation-independent mannose-6-phosphate receptor.

Effect of an anti-insulin-like growth factor I receptor antibody on insulin-like growth factor II stimulation of DNA synthesis in human fibroblasts

To investigate the role of insulin-like growth factor II in the control of DNA synthesis in human fibroblasts, dose-response curves for insulin-like growth factor I and II stimulation of [3H]thymidine incorporation were compared in the absence and presence of alpha IR-3, a highly specific monoclonal antibody directed against the type I insulin-like growth factor receptor. Specific binding of [125I]insulin-like growth factor I to human fibroblast monolayer cultures was inhibited 60-70% in the presence of alpha IR-3. alpha IR-3 had no effect on [125I]insulin-like growth factor II binding to human fibroblasts. However, alpha IR-3 inhibited both insulin-like growth factor I and II stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation. These data indicate that the type II insulin-like growth factor receptor does not function as a transducer of insulin-like growth factor II's mitogenic effect in human fibroblasts.

Purification of the insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) receptor from an IGF-II-producing cell line, and generation of an antibody which both immunoprecipitates and blocks the type 2 IGF receptor

18,54-SF cells, which secrete rat insulin-like growth factor II (rIGF-II), have abundant type 2 IGF receptors. We have purified the type 2 receptor from these cells by solubilization of crude membranes in Triton X-100, followed by chromatography on agarose-immobilized rIGF-II. A partially purified receptor preparation, obtained by chromatography of solubilized membranes over wheat germ agglutinin, was used to immunize a rabbit. The antibody generated both immunoprecipitates the type 2 receptor, and specifically inhibits IGF-II binding to a variety of rat tissues, including 18,54-SF cells, BRL-3A cells and placenta. The presence of abundant type 2 receptors on an rIGF-II-secreting cell line is consistent with an autocrine role for IGF-II in select cells.