Insulin receptors of cultured human lymphocytes (IM-9). Lack of receptor-mediated degradation

High affinity binding sites for proinsulin in human IM-9 lymphoblasts

Proinsulin and insulin binding in IM-9 lymphoblasts show curvilinear Scatchard plots, which may be explained by two binding sites, negative cooperativity of receptors, or both. Using flow-cytometric analysis of insulin binding, we were able to distinguish and separate two different IM-9 cell fractions. In both fractions, Scatchard plots for specific binding of insulin and proinsulin were linear, suggesting the presence of two distinct populations of receptors. Type 1 cells showed low capacity but high affinity of insulin binding (16,300 +/- 3,000 sites/cell; Kd 0.4 +/- 0.1 nmol/l). Proinsulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) were significantly less potent in competition. MA-20, a specific antibody against human insulin receptors, inhibited insulin binding by 80%, while the specific antibody against human IGF-1 receptors, alpha IR-3, had no effect. Pretreatment with insulin decreased insulin binding by 90%. 125I-insulin displayed stepwise dissociation with the rate markedly enhanced by cold insulin. Type 2 cells exhibited significantly different binding characteristics with higher capacity but lower affinity of 125I-insulin binding (430,000 +/- 25,000 sites/cell, p < 0.001 vs type 1; Kd 2 +/- 0.4 nmol/l, p < 0.02 vs type 1). Proinsulin competed with similar potency for insulin binding, while IGF-1 was still less potent. 125I-proinsulin showed a significantly higher binding affinity than 125I-insulin (Kd 0.5 +/- 0.3 nmol/l, p < 0.05) with 50,000 +/- 10,000 binding sites/cell. C-peptide was able to compete for 125I-proinsulin, but not for 125I-insulin binding. MA-20 did not influence 125I-proinsulin binding, but inhibited 125I-insulin binding by 50%, whereas alpha IR-3 increased proinsulin binding 1.5-fold with no effect on insulin binding. Preincubation with insulin decreased insulin binding by 50% and proinsulin binding by 10%. The dissociation of 125I-proinsulin showed linear first-order kinetics and was not significantly accelerated by cold proinsulin. Furthermore, the tyrosine phosphorylation of a 65 kDa protein was stimulated to a significantly greater extent by proinsulin than by insulin, indicating activation of different signalling cascades. DNA analysis revealed that type 1 cells were predominantly in the G1 phase, whereas type 2 cells were in the S and G2 + M phases of the cell cycle. We conclude, that IM-9 lymphoblasts were separated by flow-cytometry into one fraction with typical insulin receptors and a second fraction with high affinity binding sites for proinsulin. High affinity proinsulin binding sites were distinguished from typical insulin receptors by: 1) higher affinity for proinsulin than insulin, 2) inhibition of proinsulin binding by C-peptide but not by the insulin receptor antibody MA-20, 3) non-co-operative first order dissociation kinetics of proinsulin binding, 4) resistance to down-regulation by insulin, and 5) differences in signal transduction.

Structural and functional heterogeneity of insulin receptors

It was long believed that the effects of insulin are mediated by a unique insulin receptor. However, there is considerable evidence suggesting that insulin receptors in brain, liver, adipocytes, and lymphocytes are heterogeneous in structure and function. This evidence is based on comparisons of concentration response curves in cells and tissues, and on comparisons of binding and effects of insulin-derivatives and receptor antibodies. Two receptor isoforms (IR-A and IR-B) generated by alternative mRNA splicing have been identified, but cannot fully account for the observed differences in ligand binding and receptor function. It is suggested that the differences in ligand binding reflect yet to be defined post-translational modifications, and that post-receptor events are responsible for the observed heterogeneity of insulin action.

Insulin receptor characterization and function in bovine aorta endothelial cells: insulin degradation by a plasma membrane, protease-resistant insulin receptor

The functional significance of the insulin receptor on bovine aorta endothelial (BAE) cells is not well defined. The insulin receptor expressed on BAE cells does not mediate insulin hormonal effects and does not mediate the transcytosis of insulin from the apical to the basolateral domain of the cell monolayer. To assess the role of the insulin receptor on BAE cells, the physical characteristics of the BAE cell receptor were investigated, and the time-dependent interaction of insulin and insulin degradation products with BAE cell monolayers was quantitated. The BAE cell insulin receptor was found to be highly resistant to the proteolytic action of trypsin, pronase, and proteinase K at either 4 degrees C or 37 degrees C. This resistance may permit the receptor to maintain insulin binding capabilities in spite of the high concentrations of proteases which are normally present in blood. Scatchard analysis of cell-surface and total cellular insulin receptor demonstrated dissociation constants similar to values obtained with other cells and tissues. However, whereas other cells and tissues contain an intracellular pool of receptor that ranges from 20-40% of the total cellular receptor content, no intracellular population of insulin receptors was detected in BAE cells. Upon incubation of intact BAE cell monolayers with insulin, no endocytosis of cell-surface insulin receptor could be demonstrated. However, insulin degradation by the BAE cells was readily quantitated, at a rate of 16.3 fmol/10(6) cells/h at an insulin concentration of 2 nM. This rate of degradation was not inhibited by chloroquine, which inhibits insulin degradation in fibroblasts, hepatocytes, and adipocytes, nor by phenylarsine oxide, which inhibits endocytosis. Bacitracin inhibited insulin binding to the cell monolayers and inhibited insulin degradation with identical IC50 values (80 microM). These data suggest that in BAE cells, insulin degradation occurs in the absence of receptor-mediated endocytosis and is mediated by binding of insulin to its receptor. Therefore, it is concluded that the functional role of the insulin receptor expressed in BAE cells is to bind blood-borne insulin at the plasma membrane of the cell and thereby facilitate the degradation of insulin at the BAE cell plasma membrane.

Urokinase receptors in human monocytes

Receptors for the 54 kDa plasminogen activator urokinase were characterized in freshly isolated and 5-14 day cultured human monocytes. The half saturation constant was about 55 pM in freshly isolated monocytes at 4 degrees C and 140 pM at 37 degrees C. Diisopropylfluorophosphate-inactivated urokinase was bound with the same affinity as catalytically active urokinase. Binding per cell of 2-5 pM urokinase increased progressively during cell culture with a concomitant decrease in the apparent affinity. By 14 days, binding had increased 5-7-fold and the half-saturation constant had increased to 500 pM at 4 degrees C, indicating a large increase in the binding capacity. Affinity cross-linking of labelled urokinase to receptors showed a 110 kDa complex in both freshly isolated and cultured monocytes. When cells with labelled urokinase (prebound at 4 degrees C) were incubated at 37 degrees C, about 80% of the urokinase dissociated as the intact molecule, whereas about 20% was degraded to iodide and iodotyrosine. Electron microscopic autoradiography of cultured monocytes incubated at 4 degrees C showed a marked heterogeneity between cells with regard to bound urokinase. Autoradiographic grains were mainly seen over the plasma membrane in areas rich in microvilli and invaginations. Transfer of the cells to 37 degrees C caused no major alteration in the distribution of grains. Thus, freshly prepared monocytes have urokinase receptors (approx. 55 kDa) of high affinity. Development to macrophage-like cells in culture causes a decrease in affinity and a large increase in capacity. The receptors are confined mainly to certain areas of the plasma membrane. Internalization and degradation of the ligand occurs only to a minor extent.

Relationships between cell surface insulin binding and endocytosis in adipocytes

Chymotrypsin substrate analogues, such as N-acetyl-Tyr ethyl ester, have recently been demonstrated to inhibit the endocytic uptake of insulin in isolated rat adipocytes. In this study, the effects of N-acetyl-Tyr ethyl ester on cell surface insulin binding and dissociation were examined. Surface-bound 125I-insulin was distinguished from intracellular 125I-insulin by the sensitivity of the former to rapid dissociation with an acidic buffer (pH 3.0). Plateau levels of surface-bound insulin at 37 degrees C were increased 70% by inhibiting the internalization pathway. This increase was temperature and insulin concentration dependent. Thus differences in surface binding were small at 12 degrees C and also at high (100-200 ng/ml) insulin concentrations. Inhibition of internalization with N-acetyl-Tyr ethyl ester markedly slowed the loss of surface-bound insulin observed during dissociation studies. After 20-30 min of dissociation, the remaining levels of surface-bound insulin were three- to fourfold higher in treated adipocytes compared with control adipocytes. Added unlabeled insulin retained its ability to accelerate the dissociation of insulin in N-acetyl-Tyr ethyl ester-treated cells. These observations indicate that the internalization pathway is a quantitatively important factor in determining levels of surface binding at 37 degrees C and in determining the rate of deactivation of insulin binding.

Insulin and insulinlike growth factor receptors regulating neurite formation in cultured human neuroblastoma cells

The functional role of brain insulin and insulinlike growth factor (IGF) receptors is being sought. Recently it has been found that these ligands are members of a newly identified family of neuritogenic polypeptides. We studied the relationship between 125I-insulin and 125I-IGF binding and their capacity to enhance neurite formation in cultured human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. The binding of 125I-insulin was temperature-dependent and heterogeneous. The Scatchard plot and dissociation rate were both consistent with the presence of two types of sites. There appeared to be about 900 high affinity sites per cell with a Kd of about 3 nM. This compared favorably with the half-maximal concentration of 4 nM for enhancement of neurite formation. The type I IGF sites were also present. Physiologic concentrations of insulin clearly enhanced neurite formation through the insulin sites, whereas physiologic concentrations of IGF-I and IGF-II enhanced through the IGF sites. Cross-occupancy of sites was observed at supraphysiologic concentrations, providing a reasonable explanation for the broad dose-response curves for these ligands. These results support the suggestion that one function of insulin and IGF receptors in neural tissues may be to modulate neurite formation.

Receptor-mediated degradation of insulin in isolated rat adipocytes. Formation of a degradation product slightly smaller than insulin

More than 90% of the radioactivity associated with isolated rat adipocytes incubated with [TyrA14-125I]monoiodoinsulin represented at steady state iodoinsulin possessing full binding affinity. In contrast, about half of the radioactivity dissociating from the cells was [125I]monoiodotyrosine. The other half was of a molecular size similar to that of iodoinsulin as judged from gel-filtration chromatography. However, the descending limb of the 'insulin' peak (i.e., the smaller molecules) possessed a reduced binding activity compared with native iodoinsulin, material from the ascending limb, or a similar fraction isolated from dissociation medium from IM-9 lymphocytes, a cell type devoid of receptor-mediated insulin degradation. The cells, thus, release an intermediary degradation product.

Insulin binding to differentiating muscle cell line L6

We studied insulin binding to cultured differentiating muscle cell line L6. Insulin binding to the cells reached a plateau after incubation with 125I-insulin for 4 h at 22 degrees C, and was at an optimum at pH 7.8. Preincubation with 10 microM of hydrocortisone for 36 h at 37 degrees C resulted in significantly increased insulin binding (1.73 +/- 0.12 ng/mg protein for treated cells vs. 1.13 +/- 0.025 ng/mg protein for control cells, mean +/- SD, P less than 0.001). Preincubation with 1 microM of hydrocortisone or 1 microM of dexamethasone also led to increased binding. The number of insulin-binding sites per cell increased 2.5-fold in glucocorticoid-treated cells (9.7 X 10(3) sites/cell for treated vs. 3.8 X 10(3) sites/cell for control cells). Preincubation with trifluoperazine (5 microM), a calmodulin inhibitor, did not affect insulin binding to the cells. These results indicate that glucocorticoid might have some important role in regulating the number of insulin receptors in L6 muscle cells.

Metabolism of a mutant insulin by a receptor-mediated process and an insulin degrading enzyme

The metabolism of a mutant insulin, [LeuB25]-insulin, was studied in vitro and in vivo. Porcine or mutant insulin (4 micrograms/kg body weight) was injected i.v. into streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and their plasma glucose and insulin levels were determined. The half-lives of porcine and mutant insulin were 3 min and 18 min, respectively. The ability of the mutant insulin to lower the blood glucose levels was 38% of that of normal when the glucose levels at the nadir were compared. Receptor-mediated degradation of the mutant insulin assessed by chromatography of the degraded materials in the media after incubation with cells was less compared with that of porcine insulin (4% vs. 24%). The media containing the insulin degrading enzyme (IDE) of IM-9 cells and rat livers degraded porcine and mutant insulin to the same extent. These results suggest that the decreased clearance of insulin is due to the decreased receptor binding and the decreased receptor-mediated degradation, but is not due to the decreased degradation by IDE.

The reversible receptor binding of insulin in isolated rat adipocytes measured at 37 degrees C. The binding is not rate limiting for cellular uptake

The bimolecular binding reaction between mono[TyrA14-125I]iodoinsulin and the insulin receptor was investigated at 37 degrees C in intact isolated rat adipocytes in which membrane traffic was inhibited by 1 mM KCN. This treatment decreased the fraction of cell-associated radioactivity resistant to treatment at pH 3 (usually regarded as internalized ligand) from 70% to 17%. The total amount of tracer being cell-associated at steady state was reduced to about half of the control value partly because of a decreased apparent binding affinity. The t1/2 for the forward reaction was reduced from 414 s in the control cell to 26 s in the KCN treated cell. Likewise, the t1/2 for the dissociation was reduced from 461 s to 67 s. Both rate constants were pH sensitive, the association rate constant being 7-8-fold more than the dissociation rate constant. Since both rate constants for the bimolecular reaction were one order of magnitude greater than those for the uptake and the release of label in the untreated cell, other processes than binding constitute the rate-limiting step(s) in the cellular reaction with insulin.

Increased inhibitory potency of free fatty acid-poor albumin on the released and activity of insulin-degrading enzymes from isolated rat adipocytes and hepatocytes

Isolated rat adipocytes and hepatocytes release protease(s) into the medium which degrade insulin and glucagon. This can be partially inhibited by high concentrations of bovine serum albumin. Free fatty acid-poor albumin prepared by charcoal treatment at pH 3 is a more potent inhibitor than untreated albumin. However, the increase in inhibitory potency depends on the exposure of the albumin to the low pH and not on the removal of the fatty acids. Optimum conditions for this treatment are overnight exposure to pH 3-4 at 37 degrees C. In hepatocytes, but not in adipocytes, the treated albumin also diminishes the release of enzymes into the medium.

In vitro recovery of insulin binding after downregulation in cultured normal human monocytes

When normal human peripheral blood monocytes were treated with insulin in vitro, surface insulin receptors disappeared rapidly, but total insulin receptors (surface and internalized receptors), measured in detergent-solubilized extracts of total cellular membranes, decreased slowly. Surface receptors decreased to 51 +/- 4, 36 +/- 12, and 34 +/- 12%, of control levels after 2, 6, and 18 h of insulin pretreatment, respectively. Total receptors decreased to 86 +/- 12, 69 +/- 17, and 34 +/- 12% of control levels in the same periods. Chloroquine, a lysosomotropic agent, inhibited the removal of surface receptors, indicating that lysosomal proteases play a role in this process. Unlike monocytes, IM-9 lymphocytes lost surface receptors and total receptors at the same rate when incubated with insulin. Monocytes treated with insulin for 18 h, washed free of unbound insulin and recultured for 48 h regained 94 +/- 7% of control insulin binding, indicating that cultured monocytes are competent to regenerate their insulin receptors. Monocytes treated with insulin for 6 h also required 48 h to recover their insulin binding, despite the fact that substantial numbers of insulin receptors remained intact within these cells. Two-hour pretreated monocytes recovered somewhat faster, attaining control levels of receptors after 24 h of reculture. This suggests that internalized insulin receptors pass from a recyclable pool to a nonrecyclable one.

Receptor-mediated degradation of human growth hormone in rat adipocytes and cultured human lymphocytes (IM-9)

In cultured human lymphocytes (IM-9) and in isolated rat adipocytes human growth hormone is substrate for a receptor-mediated degradation. When the cells are incubated with monoiodinated human growth hormone half of the radioactivity dissociating from the cells is in the form of [125I]monoiodotyrosine. Since IM-9 lymphocytes have no receptor-mediated degradation of insulin, obviously insulin and human growth hormone follow different pathways in this cell type. In the rat adipocyte colchicine and monodansylcadaverine caused quantitatively different uptake and degradation of these 2 ligands suggesting that also in this cell type the pathways are functionally different. The application of different inhibitors suggests that the receptor-mediated degradation of growth hormone in these 2 cell types takes place in an acidified compartment by an energy-requiring process and involving thiol groups.

Neurite formation modulated by nerve growth factor, insulin, and tumor promoter receptors

Until recently, nerve growth factor could be considered the only neurotrophic factor with an established physiological role. We discuss the emerging evidence indicating that the insulinlike factors may constitute a family of related neurotrophic proteins, and the observations suggesting that the receptor for the phorbol ester tumor promoters is closely associated with neuronal differentiation. The emphasis of the discussion is placed on neurite formation under multiple modulation by insulinlike factors, nerve growth factor, and tumor promoter receptors in sensory, sympathetic and human neuroblastoma cells.

Characterization of an insulin degrading enzyme from cultured human lymphocytes

An insulin degrading enzyme from cultured human lymphocytes, IM-9 cells, has been purified and characterized. The biochemical, enzymatic and immunological characteristics of this enzyme were all found to be similar to the characteristics of insulin degrading enzymes previously isolated from rat and pig skeletal muscle. Furthermore, this insulin degrading enzyme was found to have no effect on the structure of the insulin receptor nor to be linked to the insulin receptor either on the plasma membrane of cells or when they are shed into the media. The present studies suggest that the IM-9 lymphocytes, which have been extensively used to study the human insulin receptor, may also be a good system for studying human insulin degrading enzymes.

Processing of cell-bound insulin by capillary and macrovascular endothelial cells in culture

The processing of cell-bound insulin was determined in endothelial cells cultured from three large blood vessels (human umbilical vein, bovine pulmonary artery, and bovine aorta) and one microvascular source (bovine fat capillaries). Cells were exposed to monoiodinated TyrA14-insulin, the rates of dissociation of cell-bound TyrA14-insulin determined, and cell alteration of insulin assessed by gel filtration and high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. We found that 1) overall degradation rates of insulin are low for all cultured endothelial cells, 2) cell-bound insulin is rapidly processed to a nonreceptor compartment and then rapidly dissociated from all cells, primarily as biologically intact insulin, and 3) degradation of cell-bound insulin, although relatively low, does occur in endothelial cells with the least degradation by capillary cells. The presence of specific surface receptors for insulin on endothelial cells coupled with rapid cellular processing of intact insulin is consistent with a potential role for endothelial cells in either the transport of intact insulin out of the bloodstream or as a regional storage site for intact hormone.

A kinetic analysis of hexose transport in cultured human lymphocytes (IM-9)

3-O-Methyl-D-glucose transport across the plasma membrane of cultured human lymphocytes of the IM-9 line was followed for net entry into sugar-free cells (zero trans entry), net exit into sugar-free medium (zero trans exit) and for equilibration of labelled sugar in cells with the same sugar concentration in the intracellular water as in the medium (equilibrium exchange). The measurements were performed at 37 degrees C (pH 7.4). Equilibrium exchange of 1 mM 3-O-methylglucose (t 1/2 about 7 S) was exponential, suggesting a homogeneous cell suspension. Initial rates of transport showed a Michaelis-Menten dependency on the sugar concentration. The transport system was found to be asymmetric with the following kinetic parameters. Zero trans entry: Km = 2.8 mM, Vmax = 10.7 mM X min-1. Zero trans exit: Km = 9.5 mM, Vmax = 37.9 mM X min-1. Equilibrium exchange: Km = 9.9 mM, Vmax = 44.0 mM X min-1. Finally, the affinity constant for the internal site was measured as approx. 1.2 mM using the infinite cis protocol.

Receptor-mediated degradation and internalization of insulin in the adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29 from human colon

In the adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29 receptor-bound insulin is substrate for a proteolytic process leading to the release of about half of the cell-associated [125I]monoiodoinsulin in the form of [125I]iodide and [125I]monoiodotyrosine. Classical lysosomal inhibitors (NH+4, methylamine, leupeptin) did not inhibit this proteolysis. Inhibitors of membrane traffic (chloroquine and monensin) and of metabolism (CN-) inhibited the fractional receptor-mediated degradation. The former led to an increased cell-associated 125I activity whereas the latter reduced the uptake. Sulphydryl reagents inhibited the receptor-mediated degradation. The data are not compatible with a quantitatively major role of lysosomes in the receptor-mediated insulin degradation. However, since the process requires energy it is suggested that the receptor-mediated degradation takes place in vesicles other than secondary lysosomes. The responsible enzyme(s) may belong to the thiol group of proteases. Both insulin and the insulin receptor are internalized as a consequence of incubation of HT-29 cells with insulin.

Internalization and acidification of insulin by activated human lymphocytes

The binding and internalization of fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated insulin by nonactivated and phytohemagglutinin-activated circulating human lymphocytes was measured by flow cytometry. In confirmation of previous results, negligible binding or internalization was observed for unstimulated cells, while activated lymphocytes showed significant insulin binding. The majority of this insulin was demonstrated to be internalized via receptor-mediated endocytosis and acidified within 60 min after addition of insulin. Dual-fluorescence flow cytometry, using antibodies specific for human T cell subsets, was used to show that the expression of insulin binding sites occurs for at least some cells from both the helper/inducer and cytotoxic/suppressor T cell subsets. Insulin internalization is not an artifact of in vitro stimulation, since more than 90% of the unstimulated lymphocytes from a patient with a helper T cell leukemia are positive for insulin internalization. The usefulness of flow cytometric analysis for measuring lymphocyte activation in unstimulated populations and the therapeutic potential of the reported findings for control of lymphocyte proliferation are discussed.

Insulin receptors in rat brain cortex. Kinetic evidence for a receptor subtype in the central nervous system

Binding kinetics of porcine 125I-insulin were studied in synaptosomal and microsomal fractions of rat brain cortex. Receptor binding was temperature- and pH-dependent with optimum at 4 degrees C and pH 8.0-8.3. At 15 degrees C, steady state binding was heterogenous, and Scatchard analysis revealed two classes of receptors with Kd of 2 nmol/l and 40 nmol/l in amounts of 50 pmol/g and 200 pmol/g of membrane protein. Dissociation kinetics were biexponential with T1/2 of about 5 min and 180 min, and in contrast to other cell-types, not influenced by negative cooperativity. No receptor-mediated insulin degradation was detectable at 37 degrees C in the presence of bacitracin. Insulin analogues inhibited 125I-insulin binding with potencies relative to porcine insulin (%): human insulin 100, rat insulin (I + II) 71, coypu insulin 47, rat multiplication stimulating activity 8, porcine proinsulin 5, among which the three last values were significantly higher than in rat liver and fat cells. No competition was observed with porcine relaxin and mouse nerve growth factor up to about 1 mumol/l. Receptors were present in all regions of central nervous system with highest concentrations in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum and olfactory bulb, and lowest in the pons, medulla oblongata and spinal cord. In conclusion, insulin receptors in rat brain cortex are functionally different from other tissues regarding the insulin specificity and the absence of negative cooperativity. It is suggested that an insulin receptor subtype in rat brain mediates the growth activity of insulin on nerve cells.

Internalization of insulin and its receptor in the isolated rat adipose cell. Time-course and insulin concentration dependency

The time-course and insulin concentration dependency of internalization of insulin and its receptor have been examined in isolated rat adipose cells at 37 degrees C. The internalization of insulin was assessed by examining the subcellular distribution of cell-associated [125I]insulin among plasma membrane, and high-density (endoplasmic reticulum-enriched) and low-density (Golgi-enriched) microsomal membrane fractions prepared by differential ultracentrifugation. The distribution of receptors was measured by the steady-state exchange binding of fresh [125I]insulin to these same membrane fractions. At 37 degrees C, insulin binding to intact cells is accompanied initially by the rapid appearance of intact insulin in the plasma membrane fraction, and subsequently, by its rapid appearance in both the high-density and low-density microsomal membrane fractions. An apparent steady-state distribution of insulin per mg of membrane protein among these subcellular fractions is achieved within 30 min in a ratio of 1:1.54:0.80, respectively. Concomitantly, insulin binding to intact cells is associated with the rapid disappearance of approx. 30% of the insulin receptors initially present in the plasma membrane fraction and appearance of 20-30% of those lost in the low-density microsomal membrane fraction. However, the number of receptors in the high-density microsomal membrane fraction does not change. This redistribution of receptors also appears to reach a steady-state within 30 min. Both processes are insulin concentration-dependent, correlating with receptor occupancy in the intact cell, and are partially inhibited at 16 degrees C. While the steady-state subcellular distributions of insulin and its receptor do not correlate with that of acid phosphatase, chloroquine markedly increases the levels of insulin associated with all three membrane fractions in apparent proportion to the distribution of this lysosomal marker enzyme activity, without more than marginally potentiating insulin's effects on the distribution of receptors. These results demonstrate that insulin, initially bound to the plasma membrane of the isolated rat adipose cell, is rapidly translocated by a receptor-mediated process into at least two intracellular compartments associated with the cell's high- and low-density microsomes. Furthermore, insulin simultaneously induces the translocation of its own receptor from the plasma membrane into the latter compartment. These translocations appear to represent the internalization and partial dissociation of the insulin-receptor complex through insulin-induced receptor cycling.

Effects of insulin, insulin-like growth factor-II and nerve growth factor on neurite outgrowth in cultured human neuroblastoma cells

The identification of biologically important and chemically well-defined substances that can promote axon and dendrite formation would improve present understanding of the development of the nervous system. Physiological concentrations of insulin and insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) reversibly enhanced neurite outgrowth (NTO) in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells cultured in media with and without serum. Nerve growth factor (NGF), in contrast, did not enhance NTO in serum-free media. Furthermore, anti-NGF antiserum inhibited NGF but not insulin-enhanced NTO. Insulin increased [3H]leucine and [3H]uridine uptake. These increases, together with increased NTO, were inhibited by cycloheximide and actinomycin D, respectively. The inhibition of NTO by cycloheximide was reversible. Human neuroblastoma cell lines that were responsive by NTO to NGF were also responsive to insulin, with the exception of line CHP-270. Moreover, cell lines unresponsive by NTO to NGF, and to tumor promoters, were uniformly unresponsive to insulin. These findings suggest that there are common defects in distal sites, because specific NGF and tumor promotor receptors are present in these lines. Insulin increased [3H]thymidine uptake in SH-SY5Y and CHP-100 cells. However, the enhancement of NTO by insulin and IGF-II in SH-SY5Y cells was independent of the cellular proliferation rate. Our results, together with the observations of others, suggest that insulin and IGF-II may modulate NTO in the nervous system.

The mechanism of receptor-mediated degradation of insulin in isolated rat adipocytes: indirect evidence for a non-lysosomal pathway

Receptor-bound insulin is substrate for a degradation leading to the release of about half the cell-associated [125I]monoiodoinsulin as [125I]monoiodotyrosine. Classical lysosomal inhibitors of the amine type (cloroquine, methylamine and NH+4) only partly inhibited this receptor-mediated degradation. Leupeptin, which is very effective in other systems, was without any effect in the present system. The degradation could not be reduced by lowering the ATP content of the cells. Sulphydryl reagents strongly inhibited the degradation as has also been shown for the cytosolic insulin-specific protease. Microtubules and microfilaments are probably not involved since inhibitors of the cytoskeleton were without marked effects. It is suggested that in the rat adipocyte only a minor part of the receptor-mediated degradation of insulin takes place via the classical endocytotic lysosomal pathway.

Binding and degradation of 125I-labeled insulin by a clonal line of rat pituitary tumor cells

Receptor sites for insulin on GH3 cells were characterized. Uptake of 125I-labeled insulin by the cells was dependent upon time and temperature, with apparent steady-states reached by 120, 20 and 10 min at 4, 23 and 37 degrees C, respectively. The binding sites were sensitive to trypsin, suggesting that the receptors contain protein. Insulin competed with 125I-labeled insulin for binding sites, with half-maximal competition observed at 5 nM insulin. Neither adrenocorticotropic hormone nor growth hormone competed for 125I-labeled insulin binding sites. 125I-labeled insulin binding was reversible, and saturable with respect to hormone concentration. 125I-labeled insulin was degraded at both 4 and 37 degrees C by GH3 cells, but not by medium conditioned by these cells. After a 5 min incubation at 37 degrees C, products of 125I-labeled insulin degradation could be recovered from the cells but were not detected extracellularly. Extending the time of incubation resulted in the recovery of fragments of 125I-labeled insulin from both cells and the medium. Native insulin inhibited most of the degradation of 125I-labeled insulin suggesting that degradation resulted, in part, from a saturable process. At steady-state, degradation products of 125I-labeled insulin, as well as intact hormone, were recovered from GH3 cells. After 30 min incubation at 37 degrees C, 80% of the cell-bound radioactivity was not extractable from GH3, cells with acetic acid.

Degradation of the four monoiodoinsulin isomers by the insulin protease of rat liver

The cleavage of insulin by the partially purified insulin protease was studied using the four [125I]tyrosine-monoiodoinsulins (tyrosine A-14 and A-19 of the A-chain; tyrosine B-16 and B-26 of the B-chain). The rates of conversion of the four isomers to trichloroacetic acid-soluble form was in the order B-26 greater than A-14 greater than A-19 greater than B-16. The following was observed in experiments which gave 19/14/5/3 percent conversion to trichloroacetic acid-soluble products: the loss of ability to bind to IM-9 lymphocytes was approx. 55% for all four isomers. About 70% of the radioactivity was in the 'insulin' peak, and about 30% was in peptides smaller than insulin as judged by gel filtration on Sephadex G-50. The descending limb of the 'insulin' peak contained significant amounts of radioactive material not binding to IM-9 lymphocytes. This material showed multiple peaks when applied to high performance liquid chromatography. Other experiments were designed to cause an almost complete degradation of the isomers. Under these conditions, the radioactivity eluted on Sephadex G-50 largely as iodotyrosine (and some small peptides) using the A-14, B-16 and B-26 isomers, whereas iodotyrosine was absent using the A-19 isomer. Thus, the insulin protease appears to first degrade insulin to multiple products with molecular sizes slightly smaller than insulin and subsequently to small peptides (e.g containing tyrosine A-19) and amino acids (e.g. tyrosine A-14, B-16 and B-26).

Studies on the inhibitory effect of bacitracin on 125I-labelled insulin internalization in the rat hepatocyte

Previous studies have suggested that transglutaminase has a role in the internalization of some polypeptide hormones and is inhibited by the antibiotic, bacitracin. Bacitracin has been used in insulin-receptor studies to inhibit extracellular degradation of 125I-labelled insulin. The aim of this study was to investigate bacitracin's effect on 125I-labelled insulin-receptor interactions in isolated rat hepatocytes. 1 g/l bacitracin increased cell-associated 125I-labelled insulin insulin at 20, 30 and 37 degrees C (P less than 0.001, 0.0005 and 0.0005, respectively). At 5 and 15 degrees C (internalization does not occur), bacitracin did not affect cell-associated 125I-labelled insulin. The bacitracin effect was concentration dependent, increasing to 2 g/l. Scatchard analysis showed that bacitracin did not alter insulin receptor affinity or number. 1 g/l bacitracin abolished the effect of chloroquine. The increased cell-associated radioactivity with bacitracin was surface-bound in nature. 0.5 g/l bacitracin decreased 125I-labelled insulin degradation in hepatocyte suspensions (P less than 0.001) and in buffer previously incubated with hepatocytes (P less than 0.0005). More 125I-labelled insulin remained associated with cells during dissociation studies at 37 degrees C when the buffer contained 1 g/l bacitracin. Label that appeared in the buffer after 60 min was significantly more intact in the presence of bacitracin (P less than 0.025). These results suggest that bacitracin retards the internalization of 125I-labelled insulin in isolated rat hepatocytes.

Monoiodoinsulin labelled in tyrosine residue 16 or 26 of the B-chain or 19 of the A-chain. II. Characterization of the kinetic binding constants and determination of the biological potency

The binding affinity to insulin receptors in isolated rat adipocytes at 37 degrees C of the four isomers of [125I]monoiodoinsulin was ranked as B26 greater than B16 = A14 greater than A19. It was demonstrated that the difference in affinity was mainly due to a change in the association rate constant, rather than in the dissociation rate constant. At steady state in the binding process the fraction of cell-associated 125I-activity eluting from a Sephadex G-50 Fine column at a position identical to that of iodoinsulin was greater than 90% and independent of the position of the iodine. It was also shown that the formation of [125I]-monoiodotyrosine as a consequence of receptor-mediated degradation was proportional to the respective binding affinities of the four isomers. The two isomers with binding affinities different from that of [A14-Tyr-125I]monoiodoinsulin (i.e. the B26 and the A19 isomers, respectively) were shown to have biological potencies which corresponded within +/- 8% to the observed changed binding affinities. In cultured human lymphocytes of the IM-9 line the hierarchy of binding affinities at 37 degrees C was B26 greater than B16 greater than A14 greater than A19, and in cultured human colon adenocarcinoma cells of the HT-29 line the binding affinities were ranked in the order B26 greater than B16 greater than A14 greater than or equal to A19 indicating that the functional properties of the insulin receptor vary within cell types and/or species.

Inhibition of insulin receptor binding by phorbol esters

Phorbol esters inhibit the binding of insulin to its receptors on U-937 monocyte-like and HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia human cell lines. Within 20-30 min, exposure of these cells to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) at 37 degrees C results in a 50% reduction of the specific binding of 125I-insulin. Half-maximal inhibition occurs at 1 nM TPA. Other tumor-promoting phorbol esters also inhibit 125I-insulin binding in a dose-dependent manner which parallels their known promoting activity in vivo. TPA does not alter the degradation of the hormone nor does it induce any shedding of its receptors in the medium. The effect of phorbol esters is dependent on temperature and cell type. It is less prominent at 22 degrees C than at 37 degrees C. It is reversible within 2 h at 37 degrees C. TPA reduces the binding of insulin predominantly by increasing its dissociation rate. This effect results in an accelerated turnover of the hormone on its receptors.

Binding and degradation of 125I-insulin in human erythrocytes. Comparative studies with hemolysate and membranes

Insulin degradation in human erythrocytes obtained from normal subjects is studied. Under the experimental conditions used, insulin binding and insulin degradation are strictly correlated, and no degrading activity is released in incubation medium. Comparative analysis of hemolysate and membranes shows that hemolysate possesses a definite insulin-degrading activity which is not linked to the hemoglobin molecule; the km of this enzymatic activity is of the same order of magnitude as that reported in other cells. At the concentration and in the condition used in this study, membranes degrade insulin at a lower rate than hemolysate.

Insulin binding in cultured Chinese hamster kidney epithelial cells: the effect of serum in the medium

[125I] Insulin (porcine) binding to an epithelial cell line established from a Chinese hamster kidney, CHK-AC E-100, showed an optimum at pH 8.0 and reached a maximum after 2.5 h incubation at 25 degrees C. Dissociation of bound [125I] insulin was facilitated by the addition of unlabeled insulin in the dilution buffer. Porcine insulin effectively competed for [125I] insulin binding to the cultured cells and was 30 and 90 times as potent as guinea pig insulin and porcine proinsulin in causing 50% inhibition of [125I] insulin binding; glucagon was completely ineffective. Scatchard analysis of the binding data yielded a curvilinear plot and a capacity of 0.6 ng/10(6) cells; the average affinity of the empty receptor, Ke, was calculated to be 1.78 X 10(6) M-1 and that of the filled receptor, Kf, 0.57 X 10(8) m-1, Substitution of fetal bovine serum (FBS) in the culture medium with bovine calf, bovine newborn, of bovine calf serum altered insulin binding characteristics in the cells and reduced cell growth. Insulin binding characteristics of cells grown in hormone-supplemented medium containing 0 to 0.1% FBS were similar to those of cells grown in minimum essential medium (MEM) containing 2 to 5% FBS. The data indicated that the established Chinese hamster kidney epithelial cell line CHK-AC E-100 possessed specific insulin receptors and the characteristics of the receptors could be manipulated by changing the serum in culture medium.