Defective internalization of insulin and its receptor in cells expressing mutated insulin receptors lacking kinase activity

Insulin Receptor Trafficking: Consequences for Insulin Sensitivity and Diabetes

Insulin receptor (INSR) has been extensively studied in the area of cell proliferation and energy metabolism. Impaired INSR activities lead to insulin resistance, the key factor in the pathology of metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The mainstream opinion is that insulin resistance begins at a post-receptor level. The role of INSR activities and trafficking in insulin resistance pathogenesis has been largely ignored. Ligand-activated INSR is internalized and trafficked to early endosome (EE), where INSR is dephosphorylated and sorted. INSR can be subsequently conducted to lysosome for degradation or recycled back to the plasma membrane. The metabolic fate of INSR in cellular events implies the profound influence of INSR on insulin signaling pathways. Disruption of INSR-coupled activities has been identified in a wide range of insulin resistance-related diseases such as T2DM. Accumulating evidence suggests that alterations in INSR trafficking may lead to severe insulin resistance. However, there is very little understanding of how altered INSR activities undermine complex signaling pathways to the development of insulin resistance and T2DM. Here, we focus this review on summarizing previous findings on the molecular pathways of INSR trafficking in normal and diseased states. Through this review, we provide insights into the mechanistic role of INSR intracellular processes and activities in the development of insulin resistance and diabetes.

Expression of apolipoprotein M and its association with adiponectin in an obese mouse model

The aim of the present study was to explore the association between apolipoprotein M (ApoM) and adiponectin, and the underlying mechanism, via observation of ApoM expression in an obese mouse model. For in vivo experiments, mice were randomly distributed into four groups: Control group, obese group, obese group treated with adiponectin, and normal group treated with adiponectin. Body weight, plasma adiponectin, blood glucose and fasting insulin were measured and visceral adipose tissue was weighed at the end of the experiment. ApoM and transcription factor forkhead box A2 (Foxa2) mRNA expression in the mouse liver was evaluated and the protein level of ApoM detected. For in vitro experiments, an insulin-resistant (IR) hepatic cell model was established by inducing the HepG2 cell line with a high concentration of insulin. Following treatment with adiponectin, changes in ApoM and Foxa2 mRNA expression and ApoM protein expression were evaluated in the control and IR HepG2 cells. Results demonstrated that compared with the control group, body weight, visceral adipose tissue weight, blood glucose, fasting insulin and insulin-resistance index (HOMA-IR) were significantly increased in the obese group, whilst plasma adiponectin, ApoM mRNA expression, Foxa2 mRNA expression and ApoM protein in the mouse liver were all significantly decreased. Following intervention with adiponectin in obese mice, blood glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR were significantly decreased, whilst plasma adiponectin, ApoM mRNA expression, Foxa2 mRNA expression and ApoM protein were all significantly increased. However, no significant difference was observed in visceral adipose tissue weight following the intervention of adiponectin in obese mice. In vitro, in the absence of intervention, ApoM and Foxa2 mRNA expression and ApoM protein expression were significantly lower in IR HepG2 cells compared with HepG2 cells. Following intervention with adiponectin on IR HepG2 cells, ApoM and Foxa2 mRNA expression and ApoM protein expression were significantly increased. However, the intervention did not have any effect on HepG2 cells. In conclusion, intervention with adiponectin elevated ApoM mRNA expression, potentially via relieving IR and upregulating Foxa2 mRNA expression.

CEACAM1 in Liver Injury, Metabolic and Immune Regulation

Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that is expressed on epithelial, endothelial and immune cells. CEACAM1 is a differentiation antigen involved in the maintenance of epithelial polarity that is induced during hepatocyte differentiation and liver regeneration. CEACAM1 regulates insulin sensitivity by promoting hepatic insulin clearance, and controls liver tolerance and mucosal immunity. Obese insulin-resistant humans with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease manifest loss of hepatic CEACAM1. In mice, deletion or functional inactivation of CEACAM1 impairs insulin clearance and compromises metabolic homeostasis which initiates the development of obesity and hepatic steatosis and fibrosis with other features of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and adipogenesis in white adipose depot. This is followed by inflammation and endothelial and cardiovascular dysfunctions. In obstructive and inflammatory liver diseases, soluble CEACAM1 is shed into human bile where it can serve as an indicator of liver disease. On immune cells, CEACAM1 acts as an immune checkpoint regulator, and deletion of Ceacam1 gene in mice causes exacerbation of inflammation and hyperactivation of myeloid cells and lymphocytes. Hence, hepatic CEACAM1 resides at the central hub of immune and metabolic homeostasis in both humans and mice. This review focuses on the regulatory role of CEACAM1 in liver and biliary tract architecture in health and disease, and on its metabolic role and function as an immune checkpoint regulator of hepatic inflammation.

The early effect of sunitinib on insulin clearance in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma

AIMS

In patients with diabetes treated with sunitinib symptomatic hypoglycaemia has been reported. To explore the mechanism of this adverse effect we performed a prospective study to investigate the effect of sunitinib on insulin concentration, insulin clearance and insulin sensitivity.

METHODS

We studied the early effects of sunitinib on insulin sensitivity and insulin clearance with a hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp (insulin infusion rate 60 mU m−2 min−1; steady-state 90–120 min) in patients with renal cell carcinoma before and 1 week after the start of sunitinib 50 mg day−1. Insulin sensitivity index (SI) was defined as steady-state glucose disposal divided by the steady-state plasma insulin.

RESULTS

Ten patients (one with diabetes, treated with metformin) were included in the study protocol. Steady-state insulin concentrations during the clamp increased after 1 week of sunitinib (from 128.9 ± 9.0 mU l−1 to 170.8 ± 12.8 mU l−1, P < 0.05; 95% CI on difference − 64.3, −19.6). The calculated insulin sensitivity index decreased from 0.22 ± 0.04 before to 0.18 ± 0.02 μmol kg−1 min−1 per mU l−1 insulin (P < 0.05; 95% CI on difference 0.07, 0.08). As the insulin infusion rate was similar for both clamps, the increased steady-state insulin concentration indicates reduced insulin clearance.

CONCLUSION

Sunitinib affects insulin clearance which could possibly lead to overexposure to insulin in patients using insulin or insulin-secretion stimulating agents.

Differential endocytosis and signaling dynamics of insulin receptor variants IR-A and IR-B

Insulin signaling comprises a complex cascade of events, playing a key role in the regulation of glucose metabolism and cellular growth. Impaired response to insulin is the hallmark of diabetes, whereas upregulated insulin activity occurs in many cancers. Two splice variants of the insulin receptor (IR) exist in mammals: IR-A, lacking exon 11, and full-length IR-B. Although considerable biochemical data exist on insulin binding and downstream signaling, little is known about the dynamics of the IR itself. We created functional IR transgenes fused with visible fluorescent proteins for use in combination with biotinamido-caproyl insulin and streptavidin quantum dots. Using confocal and structured illumination microscopy, we visualized the endocytosis of both isoforms in living and fixed cells and demonstrated a higher rate of endocytosis of IR-A than IR-B. These differences correlated with higher and sustained activation of IR-A in response to insulin and with distinctive ERK1/2 activation profiles and gene transcription regulation. In addition, cells expressing IR-B showed higher AKT phosphorylation after insulin stimulation than cells expressing IR-A. Taken together, these results suggest that IR signaling is dependent on localization; internalized IRs regulate mitogenic activity, whereas metabolic balance signaling occurs at the cell membrane.

Cross-regulation of cytokine signalling: pro-inflammatory cytokines restrict IL-6 signalling through receptor internalisation and degradation

The inflammatory response involves a complex interplay of different cytokines which act in an auto- or paracrine manner to induce the so-called acute phase response. Cytokines are known to crosstalk on multiple levels, for instance by regulating the mRNA stability of targeted cytokines through activation of the p38-MAPK pathway. In our study we discovered a new mechanism that answers the long-standing question how pro-inflammatory cytokines and environmental stress restrict immediate signalling of interleukin (IL)-6-type cytokines. We show that p38, activated by IL-1β, TNFα or environmental stress, impairs IL-6-induced JAK/STAT signalling through phosphorylation of the common cytokine receptor subunit gp130 and its subsequent internalisation and degradation. We identify MK2 as the kinase that phosphorylates serine 782 in the cytoplasmic part of gp130. Consequently, inhibition of p38 or MK2, deletion of MK2 or mutation of crucial amino acids within the MK2 target site or the di-leucine internalisation motif blocks receptor depletion and restores IL-6-dependent STAT activation as well as gene induction. Hence, a novel negative crosstalk mechanism for cytokine signalling is described, where cytokine receptor turnover is regulated in trans by pro-inflammatory cytokines and stress stimuli to coordinate the inflammatory response.

Regulation of complex formation of POB1/epsin/adaptor protein complex 2 by mitotic phosphorylation

RalBP1 and POB1, the downstream molecules of small GTP-binding protein Ral, are involved in receptor-mediated endocytosis together with Epsin and Eps15. The regulation of assembly of the complex of these proteins was examined. RalBP1, POB1, Epsin, and Eps15 formed a complex with alpha-adaptin of AP-2 in Chinese hamster ovary cells, but the formation was reduced in mitotic phase. RalBP1, POB1, Epsin, and Eps15 were all phosphorylated in mitotic phase. The phosphorylated forms of POB1 and Epsin were recognized by the antibody MPM2, which is known to detect mitotic phosphoproteins. POB1 and Epsin were phosphorylated by p34(cdc2) kinase in vitro. Their phosphorylation sites (Ser(411) of POB1 and Ser(357) of Epsin) were determined. Phosphorylated Epsin and Epsin(S357D) formed a complex with alpha-adaptin less efficiently than wild type Epsin. Although the EH domain of POB1 bound directly to Epsin, phosphorylation of Epsin inhibited the binding. Furthermore, Epsin(S357D) but not Epsin(S357A) lost the effect of Epsin on the insulin-dependent endocytosis. These results suggest that phosphorylation of Epsin in mitotic phase inhibits receptor-mediated endocytosis by disassembly of its complex with POB1 and alpha-adaptin.

Epsin binds to the EH domain of POB1 and regulates receptor-mediated endocytosis

POB1 has been identified as a RalBP1-binding protein and has the Eps15 homology (EH) domain. The EH domain-containing proteins have been suggested to be involved in clathrin-dependent endocytosis. To clarify the function of POB1, we purified a protein which binds to the EH domain of POB1 from bovine brain cytosol and identified it as Epsin, which is known to bind to the EH domain of Eps15. Epsin has three Asn-Pro-Phe (NPF) motifs in the C-terminal region, which are known to form the core sequence for the binding to the EH domain. The EH domain of POB1 interacted directly with the region containing the NPF motifs of Epsin. Expression of Epsin in CHO-IR cells inhibited internalization of insulin although it affected neither insulin-binding nor autophosphorylation activities of the insulin receptor. Taken together with the observations that Epsin is involved in internalization of the receptors for epidermal growth factor and transferrin, these results suggest that Epsin is a binding partner of POB1 and their binding regulates receptor-mediated endocytosis.

Evidence that downregulation of the M-CSF receptor is not dependent upon receptor kinase activity

The downregulation of tyrosine kinase receptors attenuates signalling and is thought to be dependent upon intrinsic receptor kinase activity, largely because down-regulation is inhibited by a kinase-inactivating mutation of an invariant lysine residue of the receptors for EGF, insulin, M-CSF and PDGF. We confirmed that this mutation inhibited the degradation of the M-CSF receptor. However, two different kinase inactivating mutations of the invariant amino acids Gly 591 and Glu 633 did not prevent M-CSF-induced receptor degradation, so demonstrating that receptor kinase activity is not essential for this process. Three other kinase-inactivating mutations were found to cause constitutive receptor degradation in the absence of M-CSF, most probably by disrupting the structure of the activating loop of the kinase domain. It is known that extensive movement of the A-loop is necessary for kinase activation and is normally induced by ligand-binding. It is therefore suggested that some aspect or consequence of the change in structure of the A-loop caused by ligand binding also activates receptor downregulation, so ensuring that downregulation is coupled to but is not necessarily dependent upon receptor kinase activity.

Cytoplasmic and nuclear cytokine receptor complexes

Much of our understanding on how hormones and cytokines transmit their message into the cell is based on the receptor activation at the plasma membrane. Many experimental in vitro models have established the paradigm for cytokine action based upon such activation of their cell surface receptor. The signaling from the plasma membrane activated cytokine receptor is driven to the nucleus by a rapid ricochet of protein phosphorylation, ultimately integrated as a differentiative, proliferative, or transcriptional message. The Janus kinase (JAK)--signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) pathway that was first thought to be cytokine receptor specific now appears to be activated by other noncytokine receptors. Also, evidence is accumulating showing that cytokines modulate the signal transduction machinery of the tyrosine kinase receptors and that of the heterotrimeric guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding protein-coupled receptors. Thus cytokine receptor signaling has become much more complex than originally hypothesized, challenging the established model of specificity of the action of a given cytokine. This review is focused on another level of complexity emerging within cytokine receptor superfamily signaling. Over the past 10 years, data from different laboratories have shown that cytokines and their receptors localize to intracellular compartments including the nucleus, and, in some cases, biological responses have been correlated with this unexpected location, raising the possibility that cytokines act as their own messenger through inter-actions with nuclear proteins. Thus, the interplay between cytokine receptor engagement and cellular signaling turns out to be more dynamic than originally suspected. The mechanisms and regulations of intracellular translocation of the cytokines, their receptors, and their signaling proteins are discussed in the context that such compartmentalization provides some of the specificity of the responses mediated by each cytokine.

Cell adhesion properties and effects on receptor-mediated insulin endocytosis are independent properties of pp120, a substrate of the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase

pp120 undergoes phosphorylation by the tyrosine kinase of the insulin, not the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), receptor. Moreover, pp120 stimulates receptor-mediated insulin, but not IGF-1, endocytosis, suggesting that pp120 phosphorylation underlies its effect on insulin endocytosis. pp120 phosphorylation also underlies its bile acid transport and tumor suppression functions. In addition to depending on the intracellular tail, the cell adhesion property of pp120 depends on Arg98 in the N-terminal IgV-like ectoplasmic domain. To investigate whether this domain mediates the effect of pp120 on insulin endocytosis, we mutated Arg98 to Ala and examined whether this mutation altered pp120 phosphorylation and its effect on ligand endocytosis in transfected NIH 3T3 cells. This mutation did not modify either pp120 phosphorylation or its effect on receptor-mediated ligand endocytosis. These findings support the hypothesis that stimulation of insulin endocytosis by pp120 is not mediated by Arg98 in the N-terminal IgV-like ectoplasmic domain of pp120.

Constitutive internalization and association with adaptor protein-2 of the interleukin-6 signal transducer gp130

The transmembrane protein gp130 is the common signalling receptor subunit for the interleukin-6 (IL-6)-type cytokines. It has recently been shown that the cytoplasmic domain of gp130 contains a dileucine internalization motif and that endocytosis of gp130 occurs signal-independent. Here, we have studied whether gp130 itself undergoes constitutive internalization or whether its endocytosis is stimulated by formation of the IL-6/IL-6R/gp130 complex. Using two different assays, we found that gp130 is internalized independent from IL-6/IL-6R stimulation. In addition, we show that gp130 is constitutively associated with the cell surface adaptor complex AP-2. Our findings strongly suggest endocytosis of gp130 to be constitutive.

Insulin degradation: progress and potential

Insulin degradation is a regulated process that plays a role in controlling insulin action by removing and inactivating the hormone. Abnormalities in insulin clearance and degradation are present in various pathological conditions including type 2 diabetes and obesity and may be important in producing clinical problems. The uptake, processing, and degradation of insulin by cells is a complex process with multiple intracellular pathways. Most evidence supports IDE as the primary degradative mechanism, but other systems (PDI, lysosomes, and other enzymes) undoubtedly contribute to insulin metabolism. Recent studies support a multifunctional role for IDE, as an intracellular binding, regulatory, and degradative protein. IDE increases proteasome and steroid hormone receptor activity, and this activation is reversed by insulin. This raises the possibility of a direct intracellular interaction of insulin with IDE that could modulate protein and fat metabolism. The recent findings would place intracellular insulin-IDE interaction into the insulin signal transduction pathway for mediating the intermediate effects of insulin on fat and protein turnover.

Insulin stimulates pp120 endocytosis in cells co-expressing insulin receptors

pp120, a substrate of the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase, is a plasma membrane glycoprotein that is expressed in the hepatocyte as two spliced isoforms differing by the presence (full-length) or absence (truncated) of most of the intracellular domain including all phosphorylation sites. Co-expression of full-length pp120, but not its phosphorylation-defective isoforms, increased receptor-mediated insulin endocytosis and degradation in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. We, herein, examined whether internalization of pp120 is required to mediate its effect on insulin endocytosis. The amount of full-length pp120 expressed at the cell surface membrane, as measured by biotin labeling, markedly decreased in response to insulin only when insulin receptors were co-expressed. In contrast, when phosphorylation-defective pp120 mutants were co-expressed, the amount of pp120 expressed at the cell surface did not decrease in response to insulin. Indirect immunofluorescence analysis revealed that upon insulin treatment of cells co-expressing insulin receptors, full-length, but not truncated, pp120 co-localized with alpha-adaptin in the adaptor protein complex that anchors endocytosed proteins to clathrin-coated pits. This suggests that full-length pp120 is part of a complex of proteins required for receptor-mediated insulin endocytosis and that formation of this complex is regulated by insulin-induced pp120 phosphorylation by the receptor tyrosine kinase. In vitro GST binding assays and co-immunoprecipitation experiments in intact cells further revealed that pp120 did not bind directly to the insulin receptor and that its association with the receptor may be mediated by other cellular proteins.

Effect of pp120 on receptor-mediated insulin endocytosis is regulated by the juxtamembrane domain of the insulin receptor

pp120, a substrate of the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase, does not undergo ligand-stimulated phosphorylation by the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) receptor. However, replacement of the C-terminal domain of the IGF-1 receptor beta-subunit with the corresponding segment of the insulin receptor restored pp120 phosphorylation by the chimeric receptor. Since pp120 stimulates receptor-mediated insulin endocytosis when it is phosphorylated, we examined whether pp120 regulates IGF-1 receptor endocytosis in transfected NIH 3T3 cells. pp120 failed to alter IGF-1 receptor endocytosis via either wild-type or chimeric IGF-1 receptors. Thus, the effect of pp120 on hormone endocytosis is specific to insulin, and the C-terminal domain of the beta-subunit of the insulin receptor does not regulate the effect of pp120 on insulin endocytosis. Mutation of Tyr960 in the juxtamembrane domain of the insulin receptor abolished the effect of pp120 to stimulate receptor endocytosis, without affecting pp120 phosphorylation by the insulin receptor. These findings suggest that pp120 interacts with two separate domains of the insulin receptor as follows: a C-terminal domain required for pp120 phosphorylation and a juxtamembrane domain required for internalization. We propose that the interaction of pp120 with the juxtamembrane domain is indirect and requires one or more substrates that bind to Tyr960 in the insulin receptor.

Differential effect of pp120 on insulin endocytosis by two variant insulin receptor isoforms

The insulin receptor is expressed as two variably spliced isoforms that differ by the absence (isoform A) or presence (isoform B) of a 12-amino acid sequence encoded by exon 11 at the carboxy terminus of the alpha-subunit. Coexpression of the A isoform and pp120, a substrate of the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase, in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts increased receptor A-mediated insulin endocytosis and degradation by two- to threefold compared with cells expressing receptors alone. Because B is the predominant isoform in the liver and binds insulin with lower affinity than A, we have examined the effect of pp120 on receptor B-mediated endocytosis. In contrast to isoform A, the effect of pp120 on isoform B-mediated insulin internalization and degradation in stably transfected NIH 3T3 cells was minimal.

Annexin II is a novel player in insulin signal transduction. Possible association between annexin II phosphorylation and insulin receptor internalization

Annexin II is a Ca2+-, phospholipid-, and actin- binding protein that was implicated in the regulation of vesicular traffic and endosome fusion. It is a known substrate for protein kinases including the platelet-derived growth factor receptor, src protein-tyrosine kinase, and protein kinase C. In the present study we investigated the possible involvement of annexin II in insulin signal transduction. Phosphorylation of annexin II in response to insulin treatment of intact Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-T cells was detected by 5 min and reached maximal levels after a 2-3-h incubation with the hormone. However, unlike other receptor substrates, annexin II failed to undergo insulin-induced Tyr phosphorylation under conditions where receptor internalization was inhibited. This was evident in CHO cells, overexpressing the insulin receptor, in which internalization was inhibited either by tyrosine kinase inhibitors or by lowering the temperature to 4 degrees C, and in CHO cells overexpressing various insulin receptor mutants in which normal internalization was impaired. Hence, Tyr phosphorylation of annexin II could be part of the internalization and sorting mechanism of the insulin receptor.

Receptor-mediated internalization of insulin. Potential role of pp120/HA4, a substrate of the insulin receptor kinase

pp120/HA4 is a hepatocyte membrane glycoprotein phosphorylated by the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase. In this study, we have investigated the role of pp120/HA4 in insulin action. Transfection of antisense pp120/HA4 cDNA in H35 hepatoma cells resulted in inhibition of pp120/HA4 expression and was associated with a 2-3-fold decrease in the rate of insulin internalization. Furthermore, insulin internalization in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts co-transfected with insulin receptors and pp120/HA4 was increased 2-fold compared with cells expressing insulin receptors alone. In contrast, no effect on internalization was observed in cells overexpressing a naturally occurring splice variant of pp120/HA4 that lacks the phosphorylation sites in the intracellular domain. Insulin internalization was also unaffected in cells expressing three site-directed mutants of pp120/HA4 in which the sites of phosphorylation by the insulin receptor kinase had been removed (Y488F, Y488F/Y513F, and S503A). Our data suggest that pp120/HA4 is part of a complex of proteins required for receptor-mediated internalization of insulin. It is possible that this function is regulated by insulin-induced phosphorylation of the intracellular domain of pp120/HA4.

Role of the transmembrane domain and flanking amino acids in internalization and down-regulation of the insulin receptor

We have characterized the internalization and down-regulation of the insulin receptor and nine receptors with mutations in the transmembrane (TM) domain and/or flanking charged amino acids to define the role of this domain in receptor cycling. When expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, all had normal tetrameric structure and normal insulin-stimulated autophosphorylation/kinase activity. Replacement of the TM domain with that of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor, insertion of 3 amino acids, and substitution of Asp for Val938 or of Ala for either Gly933 or Pro934 had no effect on internalization. Replacement of the TM domain with that of c-neu or conversion of the charged amino acids on the cytoplasmic flank to uncharged amino acids, on the other hand, resulted in a 40-60% decrease in insulin-dependent internalization rate constants. By contrast, substitution of Ala for both Gly933 and Pro934 increases lateral diffusion mobility and accelerates internalization rate. These changes in internalization were due to decreased or increased rates of redistribution of receptors from microvilli to the nonvillous cell surface. In all cases, receptor down-regulation and receptor-mediated insulin degradation paralleled the changes in internalization. Thus, the structure of the transmembrane domain of the insulin receptor and flanking amino acids are major determinants of receptor internalization, insulin degradation, and receptor down-regulation.

Insulin resistance in rats harboring growth hormone-secreting tumors: decreased receptor number but increased kinase activity in liver

Growth hormone (GH) is a potent antagonist of insulin action, and this resistance occurs primarily at a post-binding step(s). To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, the effects of chronic GH excess on the structure and function of insulin receptors partially purified from the liver were examined in rats harboring GH-secreting tumors. Insulin resistance was established in this animal model of GH hypersecretion by a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp. Specific binding of 125I-insulin and receptor number were reduced in tumor animals by 40% and 62%, respectively, reflecting downregulation of the insulin receptor by hyperinsulinemia in these animals. Receptors from tumor animals showed a 50% increase in beta-subunit phosphorylation and in the kinase activity toward the synthetic polypeptide Glu4:Tyr1 when measured in vitro in the absence of insulin; however, the incremental stimulation by insulin (170 nmol/L) of the phosphorylation of either the beta-subunit or Glu4:Tyr1 was not different between control and experimental animals. There was no difference between the two groups in Glu4:Tyr1 phosphorylation measured after immunodepletion of receptors by antibodies to the insulin receptor, indicating that the observed alteration in the kinase activity of tumor animals was intrinsic to the insulin receptor. Exposure to chronic GH excess did not alter insulin receptor structure, as evidenced by electrophoretic mobility under reducing and nonreducing conditions. The enhanced basal kinase activity of the receptor from tumor animals may reflect a more highly phosphorylated state of the receptor (and hence elevated enzyme activity) in these animals due to elevated serum insulin levels. These results demonstrate that the hepatic insulin resistance in rats chronically exposed to GH excess is not due to impaired insulin receptor kinase activity.

Insulin receptor internalization: molecular mechanisms and physiopathological implications

The initial interaction between insulin and its receptor on target cell surface is followed by a series of surface and intracellular steps which participate in the control of insulin action. Abnormalities of any of these steps could result in mishandling of the receptor leading to defective modulation of receptor number on the cell surface and to inappropriate cell sensitivity to the hormone. Thus, the identification of each of these steps as well as understanding the mechanisms governing them is obligatory to unravel some aspects of the pathogenesis of insulin resistance states. This was the goal of the studies we have carried out during recent years using combined molecular and cellular biology as well as biochemical techniques. These studies allowed us to propose the following ordered sequence of events: 1) insulin binds to receptors preferentially associated with microvilli on the cell surface; 2) insulin triggers receptor kinase activation and autophosphorylation which not only results in initiation of the various biological signals leading to insulin action but also in redistribution of the hormone-receptor complex in the plane of the membrane; 3) on the non-villous domain of the cell surface, insulin receptors anchor to clathrin-coated pits through specific "internalization sequences" present in their cytoplasmic juxtamembrane domain; 4) insulin-receptor complexes are internalized together with other receptors present in the same clathrin-coated pits through the formation of clathrin-coated vesicles; 5) the complexes are delivered to endosomes, the acidic pH of which induces the dissociation of insulin molecules from insulin receptors and their sorting in different directions; 6) insulin molecules are targetted to late endosomes and lysosomes where they are degraded; 7) receptors are recycled back to the cell surface in order to be reused.

Insulin receptor autophosphorylation sites tyrosines 1162 and 1163 control both insulin-dependent and insulin-independent receptor internalization pathways

We previously reported that Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines overexpressing mutated human insulin receptors (hIRs) in which the tyrosine residues 1162 and 1163 were replaced by phenylalanines (CHO-Y2) exhibited a marked defect in hormone-induced receptor internalization as compared to CHO transfectants overexpressing wild-type hIRs (CHO-R). These two cell lines are now used to compare the role of tyrosines 1162-1163 in basal and ligand-stimulated receptor internalization as well as in receptor turnover. We show here that (1) in CHO-Y2 cells, basal endocytosis, like insulin-induced internalization, was markedly altered despite normal receptor turnover and (2) in both CHO-R and CHO-Y2 cells, basal receptor endocytosis was altered by tunicamycin, an inhibitor of protein N-glycosylation, whereas insulin-induced internalization was not. These results support a role for tyrosines 1162-1163 of the IR beta-subunit major autophosphorylation domain in both basal and ligand-stimulated receptor endocytosis and provide evidence that the two processes follow distinct pathways.

Deletion of C-terminal 113 amino acids impairs processing and internalization of human insulin receptor: comparison of receptors expressed in CHO and NIH-3T3 cells

We have studied the structure and the function of a truncated human insulin receptor in which 113 amino acids (aa 1231-1343) at the C-terminus of the beta-subunit were deleted. In this study, wild-type and truncated insulin receptors were expressed by stable transfection in NIH-3T3 cells and CHO cells. The mutation impairs post-translational processing of the insulin receptor; proteolytic cleavage is retarded, and degradation of the truncated receptor is accelerated. Furthermore, insulin-stimulated autophosphorylation of the mutant insulin receptor is impaired. This is associated with a defect in insulin-stimulated endocytosis. Finally, in NIH-3T3 cells, the mutant insulin receptor failed to mediate the mitogenic effects of insulin. In CHO cells, transfection of insulin receptor cDNA (either wild-type or mutant) did not alter mitogenic response to insulin. It has previously been shown that deletion of 43 amino acids at the C-terminus of the beta-subunit did not affect insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity. Our data suggest that the structural domain located 43-113 amino acids from the C-terminus appears to have several functional roles. First, the domain appears to promote folding of receptor into the optimal conformation for post-translational processing. Second, the presence of this domain appears to promote the stability of the receptor beta-subunit in intact cells. Finally, perhaps as a consequence of the effects upon the stability of the receptor, this domain is required in intact cells for insulin-stimulated autophosphorylation and signal transmission.

Robert Feulgen Prize Lecture 1993. The journey of the insulin receptor into the cell: from cellular biology to pathophysiology

The data that we have reviewed indicate that insulin binds to a specific cell-surface receptor. The complex then becomes involved in a series of steps which lead the insulin-receptor complex to be internalized and rapidly delivered to endosomes. From this sorting station, the hormone is targeted to lysosomes to be degraded while the receptor is recycled back to the cell surface. This sequence of events presents two degrees of ligand specificity: (a) The first step is ligand-dependent and requires insulin-induced receptor phosphorylation of specific tyrosine residues. It consists in the surface redistribution of the receptor from microvilli where it preferentially localizes in its unoccupied form. (b) The second step is more general and consists in the association with clathrin-coated pits which represents the internalization gate common to many receptors. This sequence of events participates in the regulation of the biological action of the hormone and can thus be implicated in the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus and various extreme insulin resistance syndromes, including type A extreme insulin resistance, leprechaunism, and Rabson-Mendehall syndrome. Alterations of the internalization process can result either from intrinsic abnormalities of the receptor or from more general alteration of the plasma membrane or of the cell metabolism. Type I diabetes is an example of the latter possibility, since general impairment of endocytosis could contribute to extracellular matrix accumulation and to an increase in blood cholesterol. Thus, better characterization of the molecular and cellular biology of the insulin receptor and of its journey inside the cell definitely leads to better understanding of disease states, including diabetes.

Relationship between insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity and internalization in monocytes of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients

Reduced insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity and internalization have been reported in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients. To clarify whether in NIDDM the defective internalization is caused by the defective kinase activity, we studied receptor tyrosine kinase activity and internalization in monocytes from eight lean control and six obese subjects and 10 obese NIDDM patients. Receptor internalization was also stimulated by an anti-insulin receptor antibody (MA-10) that is unable to stimulate receptor kinase activity. Basal exogenous tyrosine kinase activity was not different in monocytes from the three groups of subjects. As compared with control subjects (2,690 +/- 637 fmol 32P incorporated), insulin (100 nmol/L)-stimulated tyrosine kinase activity was lower in NIDDM patients (1,262 +/- 318, P < .05), but not in obese subjects (2,640 +/- 731). Basal receptor autophosphorylation did not differ between the three groups, whereas insulin-stimulated autophosphorylation in comparison to that in control subjects was reduced in NIDDM patients (P < .05), but not in obese subjects. In NIDDM patients, receptor internalization induced by both insulin and MA-10, was lower (P < .05) than that in control and obese subjects. No correlation was found between receptor internalization and exogenous tyrosine kinase activity (r = .30, NS) or autophosphorylation (r = .08, NS).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Yeast pheromone receptor endocytosis and hyperphosphorylation are independent of G protein-mediated signal transduction

When alpha factor binds to the yeast alpha factor receptor a signal is transmitted via a tripartite G protein that prepares the cell for conjugation. As a result of alpha factor binding the receptor also undergoes a regulated internalization and hyperphosphorylation. Using cells that lack activity of this tripartite G protein, we show that G protein-mediated pheromone signal transduction is not necessary for regulation of receptor internalization or hyperphosphorylation. Therefore, the processes of signal transduction and down regulation can be uncoupled. We propose that binding of alpha factor to its receptor results in a receptor conformation change that permits receptor hyperphosphorylation and interaction with the endocytic machinery.

Mechanism and role of insulin receptor endocytosis

Like many other cell surface receptors for nutrients and polypeptide hormones, the insulin receptor undergoes a complex endocytotic itinerary. Upon insulin binding, the receptor is activated as a tyrosine-specific protein kinase and autophosphorylates. This autophosphorylation is necessary for the receptor to internalize. After endocytosis, the ligand (insulin) and its receptor are dissociated. Most of the insulin is degraded, whereas the receptors are largely recycled to the cell surface. The signals in the receptor that control and specify its endocytotic pathway are beginning to be understood. Through the techniques of in vitro mutagenesis, noninternalizing receptors have been engineered and their structural and functional properties have been analyzed. For example, the immediate submembranous domain of the insulin receptor has been found to contain sequences (Gly-Pro-Leu-Tyr and, to a lesser extent, Asn-Pro-Gln-Tyr) that are necessary for normal endocytosis. Receptors deleted or mutated in these sequences retain tyrosine kinase activity but fail to undergo endocytosis. Unlike the better understood low density lipoprotein and transferrin receptors, however, these sequences are not sufficient for endocytosis. An insulin receptor with only these sequences exposed in the cytoplasm does not internalize. Tyrosine kinase activity is thought to be needed to lead to autophosphorylation and a conformational change that exposes the otherwise buried endocytosis sequences in the normally dimerized insulin receptor. Non-internalizing mutants of the insulin receptor have been used to examine the role of endocytosis in insulin action. It was found that an endocytosis-defective receptor could induce a short-term metabolic action of insulin (glycogen synthetase stimulation) as well as longer-term mitogenic effects of insulin. Furthermore, insulin action deactivated after the hormone was removed from the noninternalizing receptors. Apparently, endocytosis is not necessary for insulin action, but probably is important for removing the insulin from the cell so the target cell for insulin responds in a time-limited fashion to the hormone.

Downregulation of protein kinase C-gamma is independent of a functional kinase domain

Prolonged activation of protein kinase C (PKC) types alpha and beta by tumor-promoting phorbol esters leads to desensitization of the phorbol ester response, downregulation of protein kinase C activity and depletion of the protein kinase C polypeptide. When the gamma isoenzyme of PKC is transiently expressed in COS-1 cells and exposed to phorbol esters, PKC-Gamma is downregulated in COS cells although these cells do not normally express this subtype. A point mutation in the putative ATP-binding site (Lys-380----Met-380) of the protein kinase C gamma isoenzyme which results in a kinase-deficient enzyme does not interfere with this downregulation. Our results suggest that autophosphorylation or constitutive signalling through the protein kinase C-gamma kinase domain is not a prerequisite for downregulation of PKC activity.

The need for central and peripheral tolerance in the B cell repertoire

The immune system normally avoids producing antibodies that react with autologous ("self") antigens by censoring self-reactive T and B cells. Unlike the T cell repertoire, antibody diversity is generated within the B cell repertoire in two phases; the first occurs by gene rearrangement in primary lymphoid organs, and the second phase involves antigen-driven hypermutation in peripheral lymphoid organs. The possibility that distinct cellular mechanisms may impose self tolerance at these two different phases of B cell diversification may explain recent findings in transgenic mouse models, in which self-reactive B cells appear to be silenced both by functional inactivation and by physical elimination.