Insulin receptors from guinea pig liver and brain: structural and functional studies

Expression and localization of insulin receptors in dissociated primary cultures of rat Schwann cells

The objective of the present study was to examine for the presence of the IRs (insulin receptors) in the primary dissociated culture preparation of SCs (Schwann cells). This was achieved using immunological techniques using a rabbit polyclonal anti-IR antibody and at molecular level by RT (reverse transcription)-PCR. Light microscopic immune cytochemistry revealed that almost all SCs in cluster and associated neuritis exhibited positive immune reaction with the antibody, confirming the presence of IRs in them. Immunoblotting detected a prominent protein band of 90 kDa, which is consistent with those reported by the manufacturer. Like the peripheral nerve, primary SC cultures showed a predominantly high affinity IR mRNA lacking exon 11. Ultrastructural immune localization confined the presence of the IRs in the basal lamina, plasma membrane and the cytoplasmic processes of the SCs.

Insulin, synaptic function, and opportunities for neuroprotection

A steadily growing number of studies have begun to establish that the brain and insulin, while traditionally viewed as separate, do indeed have a relationship. The uptake of pancreatic insulin, along with neuronal biosynthesis, provides neural tissue with the hormone. As well, insulin acts upon a neuronal receptor that, although a close reflection of its peripheral counterpart, is characterized by unique structural and functional properties. One distinction is that the neural variant plays only a limited part in neuronal glucose transport. However, a number of other roles for neural insulin are gradually emerging; most significant among these is the modulation of ligand-gated ion channel (LGIC) trafficking. Notably, insulin has been shown to affect the tone of synaptic transmission by regulating cell-surface expression of inhibitory and excitatory receptors. The manner in which insulin regulates receptor movement may provide a cellular mechanism for insulin-mediated neuroprotection in the absence of hypoglycemia and stimulate the exploration of new therapeutic opportunities.

Amyloid beta oligomers induce impairment of neuronal insulin receptors

Recent studies have indicated an association between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and central nervous system (CNS) insulin resistance. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying the link between these two pathologies have not been elucidated. Here we show that signal transduction by neuronal insulin receptors (IR) is strikingly sensitive to disruption by soluble Abeta oligomers (also known as ADDLs). ADDLs are known to accumulate in AD brain and have recently been implicated as primary candidates for initiating deterioration of synapse function, composition, and structure. Using mature cultures of hippocampal neurons, a preferred model for studies of synaptic cell biology, we found that ADDLs caused a rapid and substantial loss of neuronal surface IRs specifically on dendrites bound by ADDLs. Removal of dendritic IRs was associated with increased receptor immunoreactivity in the cell body, indicating redistribution of the receptors. The neuronal response to insulin, measured by evoked IR tyrosine autophosphorylation, was greatly inhibited by ADDLs. Inhibition also was seen with added glutamate or potassium-induced depolarization. The effects on IR function were completely blocked by NMDA receptor antagonists, tetrodotoxin, and calcium chelator BAPTA-AM. Downstream from the IR, ADDLs induced a phosphorylation of Akt at serine473, a modification associated with neurodegenerative and insulin resistance diseases. These results identify novel factors that affect neuronal IR signaling and suggest that insulin resistance in AD brain is a response to ADDLs, which disrupt insulin signaling and may cause a brain-specific form of diabetes as part of an overall pathogenic impact on CNS synapses.

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

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

Characterization of a novel receptor in toad retina with dual specificity for insulin and insulin-like growth factor I

The biochemical properties of insulin receptors from toad retinal membranes were examined in an effort to gain insight into the role this receptor plays in the retina. Competition binding assays revealed that toad retinal membranes contained binding sites that displayed an equal affinity for insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). Affinity labeling of toad retinal membrane proteins with 125I-insulin resulted in the specific labeling of insulin receptor alpha-subunits of approximately 105 kDa. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of partially reduced (alpha beta-heterodimer) receptors affinity-labeled with 125I-insulin indicated the presence of a disulfide-linked beta-subunit of approximately 95 kDa. Endoglycosidase F digestion of the affinity-labeled alpha-subunits increased their mobility by reducing their apparent mass to approximately 83 kDa. This receptor was not detected by immunoblot analysis with a site-specific antipeptide antibody directed against residues 657-670 of the carboxy terminal of the human insulin receptor alpha-subunit, whereas this antibody did label insulin receptor alpha-subunits from pig, cow, rabbit, and chick retinas. In in vitro autophosphorylation assays insulin stimulated the tyrosine phosphorylation of toad retina insulin receptor beta-subunits. These data indicate that toad retinal insulin receptors have a heterotetrameric structure whose alpha-subunits are smaller than other previously reported neuronal insulin receptors. They further suggest that a single receptor may account for both the insulin and IGF-I binding activities associated with toad retinal membranes.

Long-term maternal-fetal exposure to high-low insulin concentrations alter liver but not brain insulin receptors

We investigated the effects of long-term (5 to 6 days) in vivo exposure to hyperinsulinemia and hypoinsulinemia on maternal and fetal rat (18 to 20 days' gestation; term approximately 21 days) brain and liver insulin receptors. Further we studied the in vitro effects of long-term insulin exposure on cultured rabbit neuronal cell insulin receptors. Long-term glucose infusions to maternal rats resulted in maternal and fetal hyperglycemia and mild hyperinsulinemia, which decreases the liver insulin receptor abundance of the mother but increased that of the fetus. Streptozotocin-induced maternal diabetes resulted in maternal and fetal hyperglycemia with hypoinsulinemia (or near-normal insulin levels) and increased maternal and fetal liver insulin receptors. The maternal and fetal brain insulin receptor abundance failed to change at high or low insulin concentrations. Similarly long-term insulin (5 micrograms/ml) exposure failed to alter cultured neuronal cell insulin receptors as well. We conclude that perturbations in maternal and fetal circulating insulin concentrations fail to affect the brain insulin receptors. This protective phenomenon may be critical in maintaining the normal neuronal energy balance and functioning during certain disease states such as diabetes mellitus and hyperinsulinism.

Insulin and insulinlike growth factor 1 (IGF-1) receptors during central nervous system development: expression of two immunologically distinct IGF-1 receptor beta subunits

Insulin and insulinlike growth factor 1 (IGF-1) receptors are present in brain, yet their function remains obscure. Expression of these tyrosine kinase-bearing growth factor receptors during rat brain development was examined by using three antipeptide antibodies directed against epitopes in the beta subunits (AbP2, AbP4, and AbP5). All three antibodies recognized both insulin and IGF-1 receptors. Membranes were prepared from fetal brains (14 to 21 days of gestation), neonatal brain (postnatal day 1), and adult brain. Immunoblot analyses using AbP4 and AbP5 revealed a 92-kilodalton (kDa) protein that corresponded to the beta subunit of the insulin and IGF-1 receptors. Densitometric scanning of immunoblots indicated that receptor proteins were 4- to 10-fold more abundant in fetal brain membranes than in membranes from adult brain. Expression was highest during 16 to 18 days of gestation and declined thereafter to the relatively low level found in adult brain. Immunoblot analyses with AbP2 as well as ligand-activated receptor autophosphorylation revealed an additional protein of 97 kDa. This protein was phosphorylated in response to IGF-1 and was not directly recognized by AbP4 or AbP5. The covalent association of the 97-kDa protein with the 92-kDa beta subunit was indicated by the ability of AbP4 and AbP5 to immunoprecipitate both proteins under nonreducing conditions but only the 92-kDa protein after reduction. In contrast, AbP2 immunoprecipitated both proteins regardless of their association. This immunospecificity remained unchanged after deglycosylation of the isolated proteins. Two-dimensional tryptic phosphopeptide analysis showed that the 92- and 97-kDa subunits of the IGF-1 receptor are related but distinct proteins. Taken together, the data suggest that the 92- and 97-kDa subunits differ in primary amino acid sequence. Thus, two distinct beta subunits may be present in a single IGF-1 receptor in brain. These subunits have in common an epitope recognized by an antibody to the tyrosine kinase domain (AbP2) but differ in regions thought to be important in receptor kinase regulation and signal transduction.

Insulin and insulinlike growth factor 1 (IGF-1) receptors during central nervous system development: expression of two immunologically distinct IGF-1 receptor beta subunits

Insulin and insulinlike growth factor 1 (IGF-1) receptors are present in brain, yet their function remains obscure. Expression of these tyrosine kinase-bearing growth factor receptors during rat brain development was examined by using three antipeptide antibodies directed against epitopes in the beta subunits (AbP2, AbP4, and AbP5). All three antibodies recognized both insulin and IGF-1 receptors. Membranes were prepared from fetal brains (14 to 21 days of gestation), neonatal brain (postnatal day 1), and adult brain. Immunoblot analyses using AbP4 and AbP5 revealed a 92-kilodalton (kDa) protein that corresponded to the beta subunit of the insulin and IGF-1 receptors. Densitometric scanning of immunoblots indicated that receptor proteins were 4- to 10-fold more abundant in fetal brain membranes than in membranes from adult brain. Expression was highest during 16 to 18 days of gestation and declined thereafter to the relatively low level found in adult brain. Immunoblot analyses with AbP2 as well as ligand-activated receptor autophosphorylation revealed an additional protein of 97 kDa. This protein was phosphorylated in response to IGF-1 and was not directly recognized by AbP4 or AbP5. The covalent association of the 97-kDa protein with the 92-kDa beta subunit was indicated by the ability of AbP4 and AbP5 to immunoprecipitate both proteins under nonreducing conditions but only the 92-kDa protein after reduction. In contrast, AbP2 immunoprecipitated both proteins regardless of their association. This immunospecificity remained unchanged after deglycosylation of the isolated proteins. Two-dimensional tryptic phosphopeptide analysis showed that the 92- and 97-kDa subunits of the IGF-1 receptor are related but distinct proteins. Taken together, the data suggest that the 92- and 97-kDa subunits differ in primary amino acid sequence. Thus, two distinct beta subunits may be present in a single IGF-1 receptor in brain. These subunits have in common an epitope recognized by an antibody to the tyrosine kinase domain (AbP2) but differ in regions thought to be important in receptor kinase regulation and signal transduction.

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor receptors in the nervous system

Insulin and the insulin-like growth factors (I and II) are homologous peptides essential to normal metabolism as well as growth. These peptide hormones are present in the brain, and, based on biosynthetic labeling studies as well as evidence for local gene expression, they are synthesized by nervous tissue as well as being taken up by the brain from the peripheral circulation. Furthermore, the presence of insulin and IGF receptors in the brain, on both neuronal and glial cells, also suggests a role for these peptides in the nervous system. Thus, these ligands affect brain electrical activity, either as neurotransmitters or as neuromodulators, altering the release and re-uptake of other neurotransmitters. The insulin and IGF-I and -II receptors found in the brain exhibit a lower molecular weight than corresponding receptors on peripheral tissues, primarily caused by alterations in glycosylation. Despite these alterations, both brain insulin and IGF-I receptors exhibit tyrosine kinase activity in cell-free systems, as do their peripheral counterparts. Brain insulin and IGF-I receptors are developmentally regulated, with the highest levels appearing in fetal or perinatal life. However, the altered glycosylation of brain receptors does not appear until late in fetal development. The receptors are widely distributed in the brain, but especially enriched in the circumventricular organs, choroid plexus, hypothalamus, cerebellum, and olfactory bulb. These studies on the insulin and IGF receptor in brain, add strong support to the suggestion that insulin and IGFs are important neuroactive substances, regulating growth, development, and metabolism in the brain.

Insulin-like growth factor I receptors on mouse neuroblastoma cells. Two beta subunits are derived from differences in glycosylation

We have characterized receptors for the insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) on the mouse neuroblastoma cell line N18 as well as NG108, the hybrid cell line of N18 and rat glioma (C6). In this cell-free system, IGF-I and insulin stimulated the phosphorylation of 95-kDa and 105-kDa proteins. Using appropriate antibodies we were able to demonstrate that the IGF-I receptor beta subunit has two subtypes of 95 kDa and 105 kDa. On the other hand, insulin receptor beta subunit is a separate single 95-kDa protein. Enzymatic digestion of IGF-I receptor beta subunit subtypes by glycopeptidase F resulted in similar molecular masses (84 kDa and 86 kDa) on SDS-PAGE, which suggests that the difference in molecular masses between two subtypes is attributable to the differences in N-linked complex-type carbohydrate chains on the extracellular domain of beta subunits. This conclusion is further supported by peptides of similar molecular mass following staphylococcal V8 protease digestion. Analysis of IGF-I receptor beta subunit subtypes in these cells may provide insights into the mechanism of action of IGF-I on neural tissues.

Peptide mapping on Northern blot analyses of insulin receptors in brain and adipocytes

Previous studies have demonstrated differences in the size of insulin receptor subunits in brain and adipocytes that appear to involve variations in glycosylation of the proteins. In this report, we examined the degree of homology in the protein backbones of insulin receptors in both tissues by peptide mapping and compared the mRNAs encoding the receptors by Northern blot analysis. Photoaffinity-labeled insulin receptors from rat brain and adipocytes were deglycosylated and then subjected to partial proteolysis by five different enzymes with differing substrate specificities. The intact receptors and their proteolytic fragments were analyzed by electrophoresis and autoradiography. Each enzyme yielded a unique pattern of fragments ranging from 70 to 11 kDa. In all cases, there was a striking similarity in the peptide maps generated from insulin receptors in brain and adipocytes. Northern hybridization experiments were carried out using poly(A)+ RNA from rat brain, rat adipocytes, and human hepatocarcinoma (HEP G2) cells. In rat brain, two bands of 9.5 and 7.4 kb were detected and, in rat adipocytes, the same two bands were observed. The two mRNA bands observed in rat tissues represented only two of the five mRNA species seen in human HEP G2 cells. The results indicate that the protein domains and the mRNAs encoding of insulin receptors in brain and adipocytes are very similar, if not identical.

Characterization of the altered oligosaccharide composition of the insulin receptor on neural-derived cells

Typical insulin receptors are present on neuroblastoma cell lines. High affinity binding for insulin was present in membrane preparations from NG108 (a hybrid mouse neuroblastoma-rat glioma) as well as in membranes from SK-N-MC and SK-N-SH, two human neuroblastoma cell lines. Specific [125I]insulin binding was 24.4% for NG108, 16.9% for SK-N-MC and 5.2% for SK-N-SH at membrane protein concentrations of 0.4 mg/ml. IC50 for [125I]insulin binding was 3.4 nM in NG108 membrane preparations and 0.9 nM for SK-N-SH and 1.8 nM in SK-N-MC membranes. Apparent mol. wt. for the alpha subunits (identified by specific immunoprecipitation using the anti-insulin receptor antiserum B10) on SDS PAGE was 134 kDa for NG108; 124 kDa for SK-N-MC and 120 kDa for SK-N-SH. Neuraminidase digestion increased the mobility of the alpha subunit from both NG108 and SK-N-MC receptors to 120 kDa, whereas that from SK-N-SH were unaffected. Endoglycosidase H and endoglycosidase F digestions increased the mobility of the alpha subunits of all 3 cell lines to varying degrees, suggesting the presence of N-linked glycosylation. Insulin induced autophosphorylation of the insulin receptor beta subunit in WGA-purified membranes from all 3 cell lines. In addition, phosphorylation of a protein with an apparent mol. wt. 105 kDa was stimulated by insulin in WGA purified membranes from NG108. Tyrosine-specific kinase activity was present in the membranes from each cell line and was stimulated by insulin in a dose-dependent manner from 10(-9) to 10(-6) M. Proinsulin was about 100 times less potent in stimulating phosphorylation of the artificial substrate poly (Glu, Tyr)4:1 when compared to insulin in accordance with its lower binding affinity to the insulin receptor. Hexose transport was stimulated by insulin in all 3 cell lines. These results indicate that neuroblastoma cells contain specific insulin receptors and that they may be useful as models for studying the role of insulin in nervous tissue.

Characterization of specific insulin binding sites on chromaffin cells from bovine adrenal medulla

1. Insulin receptors were investigated in isolated chromaffin cells from bovine adrenal medulla. 2. The cells were incubated with [125I]insulin in HEPES buffer, pH 7.8 at 15 degrees C for 180 min to obtain steady state binding. Specific binding was linearly related to the number of cells in the range 0.5-10 x 10(6) cells/ml. Insulin and proinsulin caused half maximal displacement of specifically bound tracer in concentrations of 0.18 and 2.46 nM, respectively. 3. Computer analysis of the binding data gave a linear Scatchard plot, consistent with a single class of non-interacting receptors with an affinity constant of 5.6 nM-1, the total number of receptors per cell being 1700. 4. The apparent MW of the insulin binding subunit of the receptor was 135,000, determined by affinity crosslinking and SDS gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions.

Retinal insulin receptors. 1. Structural heterogeneity and functional characterization

Neural cells of the bovine retina contain specific, high-affinity receptors for insulin. When solubilized and wheat-germ purified, these receptors exhibit a kinase activity that is capable of phosphorylating the receptor's beta-subunit (autophosphorylation) and a tyrosine-containing exogenous substrate, poly (Glu, Tyr) 4:1. Studies of the structure of retinal insulin receptors revealed the existence of two insulin receptor subpopulations. For these populations, the apparent molecular weights of the alpha-subunit were 120- and 133 kDa. This structural heterogeneity does not appear to be related to the presence of vascular contamination and stands in contrast to the brain and liver where a single alpha-subunit type was found (120 kDa for brain and 133 kDa for liver). In addition to being distinguishable by their molecular weights, the two populations of retinal insulin receptors could be distinguished in terms of (a) their solubility in Triton X-100, (b) glycosylation, and (c) recognition by anti-insulin receptor antibody. Despite these structural differences, the two populations of retinal insulin receptors appear to have similar insulin binding affinities.

Characterization of the chicken muscle insulin receptor

Insulin receptors are present in chicken skeletal muscle. Crude membrane preparations demonstrated specific 125I-insulin binding. The nonspecific binding was high (36-55% of total binding) and slightly lower affinity receptors were found than are typically observed for crude membrane insulin binding in other chicken tissues. Affinity crosslinking of 125I-insulin to crude membranes revealed insulin receptor alpha-subunits of Mr 128K, intermediate between those of liver (134K) and brain (124K). When solubilized and partially purified on wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) affinity columns, chicken muscle insulin receptors exhibited typical high affinity binding, with approximately 10(-10) M unlabeled insulin producing 50% inhibition of the specific 125I-insulin binding. WGA purified chicken muscle insulin receptors also exhibited insulin-stimulated autophosphorylation of the beta-subunit, which appeared as phosphorylated bands of 92- and 81K. Both bands were immunoprecipitated by anti-receptor antiserum (B10). WGA purified membranes also demonstrated dose-dependent insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of the exogenous substrate poly(Glu,Tyr)4:1. However, unlike chicken liver, chicken muscle insulin receptor number and tyrosine kinase activity were unaltered by 48 hr of fasting or 48 hr of fasting and 24 hr of refeeding. Thus, despite the presence of insulin receptors in chicken muscle showing normal coupling to receptor tyrosine kinase activity, nutritional alterations modulate these parameters in a tissue-specific manner in chickens.

Retinal insulin receptors. 2. Characterization and insulin-induced tyrosine kinase activity in bovine retinal rod outer segments

Bovine retinal rod outer segments (ROS) possess specific, high-affinity receptors for insulin. These receptors exhibit an insulin-stimulatable tyrosine-specific activity that is capable of phosphorylating the receptor's own beta-subunit and exogenous substrate. ROS insulin receptors exhibit heterogeneity in the apparent molecular weight of the receptor's alpha-subunit. In this regard, insulin receptors from this single cell type resemble insulin receptors obtained from whole retina, but are unlike receptors from brain and liver.

Frog brain and liver show evolutionary conservation of tissue-specific differences among insulin receptors

The insulin receptors of frog brain and liver show features typical of other insulin receptors with regard to affinity and specificity of binding to insulins and proinsulin, solubility in Triton X-100, binding to and elution from wheat germ agglutinin, and insulin-sensitive tyrosine kinase activity. Likewise, the brain and liver receptors differ from one another in electrophoretic mobility and susceptibility to treatment with neuraminidase, analogous to brain and liver receptors of reptiles, birds, and mammals; while the functional implications of these differences are unknown, their evolutionary conservation for 400-500 million years suggests the possibility that they might have importance.

Structural and functional studies on insulin receptors from alligator brain and liver

Insulin receptors are present in membranes prepared from Alligator mississippiensis brain and liver. The apparent molecular weight (MW) of the alpha subunits are 132 kDa and 118 kDa in liver and brain respectively. Apparent MW of the beta subunit is 92 kDa in both brain and liver receptors. Despite the structural differences between brain and liver alpha subunits, brain insulin receptors demonstrate the normal coupling between alpha and beta subunits, i.e. following binding of insulin to the alpha subunit the beta subunit undergoes autophophorylation and stimulates tyrosine specific phosphorylation of exogenously added substrates. These findings suggest that functional insulin receptors are evolutionarily well conserved.

The interaction of brain insulin receptors with wheat germ agglutinin

Brain insulin receptors adsorb to and are recoverable from wheat germ agglutinin-agarose (WGA) columns. Similar results are obtained using dissuccinimidyl suberate (DSS)-crosslinked receptors or photo-affinity labeled receptors. WGA can be used for partial purification of brain insulin receptors provided the appropriate WGA preparation is chosen and the optimal ratio of receptor protein to lectin is achieved.