Insulin-like Metabolic Effects Research Articles

Effects of Chemical Structures Interacting with Amine Oxidases on Glucose, Lipid and Hydrogen Peroxide Handling by Human Adipocytes.

Benzylamine is a natural molecule present in food and edible plants, capable of activating hexose uptake and inhibiting lipolysis in human fat cells. These effects are dependent on its oxidation by amine oxidases present in adipocytes, and on the subsequent hydrogen peroxide production, known to exhibit insulin-like actions. Virtually, other substrates interacting with such hydrogen peroxide-releasing enzymes potentially can modulate lipid accumulation in adipose tissue. Inhibition of such enzymes has also been reported to influence lipid deposition. We have therefore studied in human adipocytes the lipolytic and lipogenic activities of pharmacological entities designed to interact with amine oxidases highly expressed in this cell type: the semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO also known as PrAO or VAP-1) and the monoamine oxidases (MAO). The results showed that SZV-2016 and SZV-2017 behaved as better substrates than benzylamine, releasing hydrogen peroxide once oxidized, and reproduced or even exceeded its insulin-like metabolic effects in fat cells. Additionally, several novel SSAO inhibitors, such as SZV-2007 and SZV-1398, have been evidenced and shown to inhibit benzylamine metabolic actions. Taken as a whole, our findings reinforce the list of molecules that influence the regulation of triacylglycerol assembly/breakdown, at least in vitro in human adipocytes. The novel compounds deserve deeper investigation of their mechanisms of interaction with SSAO or MAO, and constitute potential candidates for therapeutic use in obesity and diabetes.

Proliferative and signaling activities of insulin analogues in endometrial cancer cells

Insulin analogues have been developed to achieve further improvement in the therapy of diabetes. However, modifications introduced into the insulin molecule may enhance their affinity for the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF1R). Hyperinsulinemia has been identified as a risk factor for endometrial cancer. We hypothesized that insulin analogues may elicit atypical proliferative and signaling activities in endometrial cancer cells. Our results demonstrate that glargine, but not detemir, stimulated cell proliferation, displayed an anti-apoptotic effect, and had a positive effect on cell cycle progression in endometrial cancer cell lines ECC-1 and USPC-1. In addition, we showed that glargine and detemir induced dual activation of the insulin receptor (INSR) and IGF1R in both cell types. Furthermore, we showed that glargine elicited signaling events that are markedly different from those induced by insulin. In conclusion, our data support the concept that, although insulin analogues were designed to display insulin-like metabolic effects, glargine and, possibly, additional analogues exhibit IGF1-like activities and, accordingly, may function as IGF1 analogues.

Tyrosine isomers and hormonal signaling: A possible role for the hydroxyl free radical in insulin resistance.

Oxidative stress processes play a major role in the development of the complications associated with diabetes and other diseases via non-enzymatic glycation, the hexosamine pathway, the polyol pathway and diacylglycerol-protein kinase C. Oxidative stress may lead to the production of hydroxyl free radicals, which can attack macromolecules, such as lipids, nucleic acids or amino acids. Phenylalanine (Phe) can be enzymatically converted to the physiological para-tyrosine (p-Tyr); however, a hydroxyl free radical attack on Phe may yield meta- and ortho-tyrosine (m- and o-Tyr, respectively) in addition to p-Tyr. Hence, m- and o-Tyr may be regarded as markers of hydroxyl free radical-induced damage. Their accumulation has been described; e.g., this accumulation has been found in the urine of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and/or chronic kidney disease, in cataract lenses, in vessel walls, in irradiated food and in amniotic fluid, and it may serve as an indicator of oxidative stress. The use of resveratrol to treat patients with type 2 DM led to a decrease in the urinary excretion of o-Tyr and concomitantly led to an improvement in insulin signaling and insulin sensitivity. Literature data also suggest that m- and o-Tyr may interfere with intracellular signaling. Our group has shown that erythropoietin (EPO) has insulin-like metabolic effects on fat cells in addition to its ability to promote the proliferation of erythroid precursor cells. We have shown that the supplementation of cell culture medium with m- and o-Tyr inhibits erythroblast cell proliferation, which could be ameliorated by p-Tyr. Additionally, in vivo, the o-Tyr/p-Tyr ratio is higher in patients with renal replacement therapy and a greater need for EPO. However, the o-Tyr/p-Tyr ratio was an independent determinant of EPO-resistance indices in our human study. The o-Tyr content of blood vessel walls inversely correlates with insulin- and acetylcholine-induced vasodilation, which could be further impaired by artificial oxidative stress and improved by the use of antioxidants. In rats that receive o-Tyr supplements, decreased vasorelaxation is detected in response to insulin. Additionally, o-Tyr supplementation led to the incorporation of the unnatural amino acid into cellular proteins and caused a decrease in the insulin-induced phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Our data suggest that m- and o-Tyr may not only be markers of oxidative stress; instead, they may also be incorporated into cellular proteins, leading to resistance to insulin, EPO and acetylcholine.

Insulin-like Growth Factors and Kidney Disease

Insulin-like growth factors (IGF-1 and IGF-2) are necessary for normal growth and development. They are related structurally to proinsulin and promote cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival, as well as insulin-like metabolic effects, in most cell types and tissues. In particular, IGFs are important for normal pre- and postnatal kidney development. IGF-1 mediates many growth hormone actions, and both growth hormone excess and deficiency are associated with perturbed kidney function. IGFs affect renal hemodynamics both directly and indirectly by interacting with the renin-angiotensin system. In addition to the IGF ligands, the IGF system includes receptors for IGF-1, IGF-2/mannose-6-phosphate, and insulin, and a family of 6 high-affinity IGF-binding proteins that modulate IGF action. Disordered regulation of the IGF system has been implicated in a number of kidney diseases. IGF activity is enhanced in early diabetic nephropathy and polycystic kidneys, whereas IGF resistance is found in chronic kidney failure. IGFs have a potential role in enhancing stem cell repair of kidney injury. Most IGF actions are mediated by the tyrosine kinase IGF-1 receptor, and inhibitors recently have been developed. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal role of IGF-based therapies in kidney disease.

Effects of insulin-like growth factor-I on the maturation of metabolism in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes

Myocardial metabolism shifts during the perinatal period from predominant utilization of glucose towards oxidation of fatty acids. Expression of enzymes of the fatty acid oxidation (FAO) pathway is under the control of the nuclear receptor/transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha). Insulin-like Growth Factor-I (IGF-I) plays an important role in the post-natal growth and differentiation of the heart. We determined the influence of IGF-I on the maturation of myocardial metabolism. In neonatal rat cardiac myocytes, expression of the FAO enzymes MCAD and M-CPT I was induced by treatment with the specific PPARalpha agonist WY-14643. Concomitant treatment with IGF-I enhanced the expression of both FAO enzymes. By comparison, treatment with FGF-2, which is required for myocyte differentiation of cardiac precursors, did not increase WY-14643-induced expression of FAO enzymes. Despite stimulation of FAO enzyme expression, IGF-I did not further enhance WY-14643-stimulated palmitate oxidation. In contrast, IGF-I relieved WY-14643-mediated inhibition of glucose uptake and promoted storage of fatty acids into cellular neutral lipids. In conclusion, IGF-I promotes a more mature pattern of FAO gene expression but, because of insulin-like metabolic effects, does not concomitantly enhance oxidation of fatty acids.

Human insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) produced in the mammary glands of transgenic rabbits: yield, receptor binding, mitogenic activity, and effects on IGF-binding proteins.

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) has acute insulin-like metabolic effects and long-term anabolic actions offering a range of important therapeutic applications. To evaluate a system for large-scale production of this peptide in the mammary glands of transgenic livestock, we generated transgenic rabbits carrying fusion genes in which a synthetic DNA coding for human IGF-I (hIGF-I) was placed under the transcriptional control of regulatory elements isolated from the bovine alpha S1-casein (alpha S1-cas) gene. Western blot analysis of milk from alpha S1-cas-hIGF-I transgenic rabbits demonstrated production of high amounts of mature hIGF-I peptide (7.6 kDa). Quantitative analysis by RIA revealed hIGF-I levels between 50 and 300 micrograms/ml milk. Recombinant hIGF-I purified from the milk of alpha S1-cas-hIGF-I transgenic rabbits bound to IGF-I receptors on human IM-9 lymphoblasts and stimulated DNA synthesis by growth-arrested MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells as efficiently as hIGF-I produced in Escherichia coli. Ligand blot analysis of milk serum revealed the presence of 45-kDa, 30-kDa, and 23-kDa IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs). The 30-kDa IGFBP was shown to be IGFBP-2 by immunoprecipitation using an antiserum raised against human IGFBP-2. Secretion of IGFBP-2 was markedly stimulated by hIGF-I overproduction in alpha S1-cas-hIGF-I transgenic rabbits. The latter displayed slightly increased milk yield, but no significant changes in total protein content or overall milk protein composition, and reared their offspring without any problems or clinical signs of impaired welfare, even after multiple lactations. Our results indicate that high amounts of biologically active hIGF-I can be produced in the mammary glands of alpha S1-cas-hIGF-I transgenic rabbits. Local production of hIGF-I in mammary tissue is associated with increased secretion of IGFBP-2, which may prevent major biological effects by high levels of hIGF-I on the mammary gland.

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) delays the onset of diabetes in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice

It has been shown that prophylactic exogenous insulin treatment prevents the development of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in animal models and humans. In this study, we examined whether the development of diabetes and insulitis in female non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice could be affected by prophylactic administration of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), which shares structural homology with insulin and has insulin-like metabolic effects. Two experiments which differed in duration and dosage of IGF-I treatment were carried out. In the first experiment, animals were treated from 4 to 9 weeks of age with IGF-I (17.9 nmol/day at 4–5 weeks of age and 35.9 nmol/day at 6–9 weeks of age) and observed up to 34 weeks of age. In the second experiment, the animals were treated from 4 to 34 weeks of age with IGF-I (1.79 nmol/day at 4–5 weeks of age, 3.59 nmol/day at 6–9 weeks of age, and 5.38 nmol/day at 10–34 weeks of age). The former treatment could significantly delay the onset of diabetes ( P < 0.05) and decrease the insulitis score at 10 weeks of age ( P < 0.01). On the other hand, the latter treatment did not affect the incidence of diabetes, the age at onset or the insulitis score. Our results suggest that the IGF-I treatment at the early age may provide protection against autoimmune β-cell destruction in NOD mice.

Immunohistochemical localization of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-5 in the developing rat nervous system

The insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and IGF-II) are peptides with both growth-promoting and insulin-like metabolic effects. The IGFs interact with and are modulated by a group of six IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP-1 through IGFBP-6). Previous studies have characterized IGFBP-5 and IGF-I gene expression in the developing nervous system. In the current study, cellular and tissue-specific distribution of IGFBP-5 protein was examined in the developing rodent nervous system using immunohistochemistry. Beginning with embryonicc stage E12, IGFBP-5 immunoreactivity was observed in peripheral nerves. This pattern persisted through adulthood and was detected within Schwann cells and axons after postnatal day 16 (P16). IGFBP-5 immunoreactivity first appeared in the CNS at P16. Purkinje cells of the cerebellum were immunostained at P16, P32 and in the adult. IGFBP-5 immunoreactivity was also detected in several brain stem nuclei and their corresponding tracts as well as neuroglia. Nerve tracts and glia in the postnatal spinal cord were also immunopositive, however, spinal cord neurons were not stained. The current results, coupled with the known profile of IGF-I expression during nervous system development demonstrates the colocalization of IGF-I and IGFB-5 in PNS, cerebellum, and brain stem.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of the growth hormone (GH) receptor and Janus tyrosine kinase-2 is involved in the insulin-like actions of GH in primary rat adipocytes.

The nature of tyrosine phosphorylations induced by GH in relation to the insulin-like metabolic effects in primary rat adipocytes was investigated. Unlike other cells, e.g. 3T3-F442A fibroblast, in which GH is believed to initiate cell differentiation through activation of the Janus tyrosine kinase-2 (JAK2), the adipocytes are metabolically active and fully differentiated cells that do not proliferate. Thus, it cannot be assumed that the same molecular mechanisms relay the acute insulin-like effects of GH. In adipocytes responsive to these effects, we found that GH induced tyrosine phosphorylation of a 114-kilodalton membrane protein, identified as the GH receptor, and a 130-kilodalton cytosolic protein, identified as JAK2. In contrast, these phosphorylations were not seen in adipocytes refractory to these effects of GH. The GH concentration dependency (ED50,1-2 nM) of these phosphorylations coincided with the increase in lipogenesis and the decrease in noradrenaline-induced lipolysis caused by the hormone. In analogy with the effects of insulin, the onset of phosphorylation was rapid (t1/2, < 1 min) and preceded the metabolic responses. The observations that a small fraction of the receptor pool became tyrosine phosphorylated and that the level of phosphorylation induced by GH decreased at higher GH concentrations agree with the concept that GH-induced dimerization of the receptor is necessary for signal transduction. We conclude that tyrosine phosphorylation of JAK2 and the GH receptor seems to be involved in the signal transduction mechanism leading to the insulin-like effects of GH in adipocytes. Importantly, the signal pathways for GH and insulin clearly differ at the receptor level, but seem to converge at or before the level of insulin receptor substrate 1 or 2 phosphorylation that has been shown to occur in response to both of these hormones.

Growth Hormone, Interferon-γ, and Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Promoted Tyrosyl Phosphorylation of Insulin Receptor Substrate-1

The identification of JAK2 as a growth hormone (GH) receptor-associated, GH-activated tyrosine kinase has established tyrosyl phosphorylation as a signaling mechanism for GH. In the present study, GH is shown to stimulate tyrosyl phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), the principle substrate of the insulin receptor. Tyrosyl phosphorylation of IRS-1 is a critical step in insulin signaling and provides binding sites for proteins with the appropriate Src homology 2 domains, including the 85-kDa regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3'-kinase. In 3T3-F442A fibroblasts, GH-dependent tyrosyl phosphorylation of IRS-1 was detected by 1 min and at GH concentrations as low as 5 ng/ml (0.23 nM). Tyrosyl phosphorylation of IRS-1 was transient, with maximal stimulation detected at 30 min and diminished signal detected at 60 min. The ability of GH receptor (GHR) to transduce the signal for IRS-1 tyrosyl phosphorylation is mediated by the intracellular region of GHR between amino acids 295 and 380 by a mechanism not involving the two tyrosines in this region. This region of GHR is required for GH-dependent JAK2 association and activation (VanderKuur, J. A., Wang, X., Zhang, L., Campbell, G. S., Allevato, G., Billestrup, N., Norstedt, G., and Carter-Su, C. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 21709-21717). When other cytokines that activate JAK2 were tested for the ability to stimulate the tyrosyl phosphorylation of IRS-1, stimulation was detected with interferon-gamma and leukemia inhibitory factor. The correlation between JAK2 tyrosyl phosphorylation and IRS-1 tyrosyl phosphorylation in response to GH, interferon-gamma, and leukemia inhibitory factor and in cells expressing different GHR mutants, provides evidence that IRS-1 may interact with JAK2 or an auxiliary molecule that binds to JAK2. GH is also shown to stimulate binding of IRS-1 to the 85-kDa regulatory subunit of PI 3'-kinase. The ability of GH to stimulate tyrosyl phosphorylation of IRS-1 and its association with PI 3'-kinase provides a biochemical basis for responses shared by insulin and GH including the well characterized insulin-like metabolic effects of GH observed in a variety of cell types.

Clinical Uses of Insulin-like Growth Factor I

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) has acute insulin-like metabolic effects and long-term anabolic actions. The therapeutic potential of recombinant human IGF-I treatment is being investigated in various growth hormone-resistant and insulin-resistant disorders. Recent studies have shown that IGF-I may substitute for growth hormone in promoting linear growth in children with growth hormone insensitivity. The anabolic, protein-sparing action of IGF-I is being evaluated as a potential therapy for adults with catabolic diseases. Patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus have reduced endogenous IGF-I production, and studies are in progress to determine whether treatment with IGF-I in addition to insulin may improve their metabolic/anabolic status. Insulin-like growth factor I treatment may reduce glucose and triglyceride levels in adults with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and in some patients with extreme insulin resistance. Further studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of IGF-I treatment in these and other conditions and to provide a better understanding of this hormone's normal physiologic role(s) and complex relations with growth hormone and insulin.

Towards identification of a binding site on insulin-like growth factor-II for IGF-binding proteins.

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) -I and -II mediate mitogenesis, differentiation and insulin-like metabolic effects.1 Their amino acid sequence is divided into 4 domains designated B-C-A-D beginning from the amino terminus. The B-and A-domains of IGF-I and IGF-II share substantial homology with each other and with the B-and A-chains of insulin.

Structure, expression, and regulation of the IGF-I gene.

The insulin-like growth factors, IGF-I and IGF-II, are important regulators of growth, differentiation and maintenance of differentiated function (Daughaday and Rotwein, 1989), primarily through activation of the IGF-I receptor, a transmembrane tyrosine kinase (Ullrich et al., 1986). In addition to these typical growth factor-like effects, the IGFs, by virtue of their homology to insulin, and the similarity of the insulin and IGF-I receptors, can also elicit insulin-like metabolic effects. The latter effects are presumably the result of “heterologous” activation of the insulin receptor by the IGFs. As described elsewhere in this volume, the bioavailability and action of the IGFs are modulated by a family of IGF-binding proteins.

Autoradiographic mapping and characterization of insulin-like growth factor-I receptor binding in human greater saphenous vein

Purpose: The proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells is an important step in the process of intimal hyperplasia. Veins exposed to arterial pressure develop intimal hyperplastic lesions that lead to failure of vein bypasses. Insulin-like growth factor-I is a polypeptide hormone structurally related to insulin with insulin-like metabolic effects. Insulin-like growth factor-I has been found to work in concert with other growth factors, including platelet-derived growth factor, to promote the growth of vascular smooth muscle cells in culture. Insulin-like growth factor-I exerts its effects via specific receptors located on the cell surface. We studied the in situ distribution of insulin-like growth factor-I receptor binding using autoradiography and examined insulin-like growth factor-I binding characteristics in normal human greater saphenous vein.Methods: Frozen sections 20 μm thick were prepared from the greater saphenous vein specimens. The sections were incubated in a buffer containing 125I-insulin-like growth factor-I in the presence of increasing concentrations of the unlabeled peptide. Autoradiograms were obtained by apposing the treated sections to autoradiography film.Results: Analysis of the autoradiographs showed that insulin-like growth factor-I binding was consistently present in the wall of human greater saphenous vein. To characterize these binding sites binding inhibition studies were performed. High-affinity insulin-like growth factor-I receptor binding was found with dissociation constant of 1.0 ± 0.32 nmol/L and maximum binding capacity of 0.46 ± 0.23 pmol/mg protein. These values are consistent with a physiologic role for insulin-like growth factor-I in the tissue examined.Conclusions: The presence of high-affinity (dissociation constant = 1.0 ± 0.32) insulin-like growth factor-I binding sites in the wall of saphenous vein suggests that insulin-like growth factor-I plays an important role in regulating the proliferation of venous wall cellular components, an essential step in the process of venous intimal hyperplasia.

Gene expression of the insulin-like growth factors and their receptors in human neuroblastoma cell lines

Insulin-like growth factors (IGF) I and II are polypeptides with both growth-promoting and insulin-like metabolic effects. The developmentally specific expression of IGF I and II in the nervous system implies a role for these growth factors in neuronal growth and differentiation. In the present study, we analyzed IGF and IGF receptor mRNA transcripts from two related human neuroblastoma cell lines, SH-SY5Y and SK-N-SH. These cell lines provide a good in vitro model of neuronal development. Northern analysis of total RNA from each cell line revealed three IGF II mRNA transcripts (6.0, 4.8, and 1.8 kb), and one mRNA transcript each for the type I (11.0 kb) and type II (9.4 kb) IGF receptors. The size distribution of these multiple transcripts is similar to that found during normal human fetal development. These results establish both cell lines as good in vitro models for investigating the mechanisms which underly IGF gene expression during nervous system development.

Gene expression of the insulin-like growth factors and their receptors in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells

Insulin-like growth factors I and II (IGF I and II) are polypeptides with both growth-promoting and insulin-like metabolic effects 16,27. Immunoreactive IGF I is present in the retina 14 and both IGF I and II are present in vitreal fluid 12. The type I and type II IGF receptors are also localized within the neural retina 3,15,20,33. The presence of IGFs and IGF receptors within the eye suggests a possible growth-promoting effect of IGFs on ocular tissues. IGF may enter the eye from the blood or, alternatively, arise from an ocular cell type which synthesizes and secretes IGF. IGF I and II mRNA synthesis in scleral cells 13 and IGF I synthesis in rat retina 14 suggests endogenous IGF production in the eye. We hypothesized that IGFs and IGF receptors are synthesized by one ocular cell type, the retinal pigment-epithelium (RPE). As a first step in studying IGF production by the RPE, we analyzed expression of the IGF and IGF receptor genes by cultured human RPE cells. Using Northern analysis, RNase protection and reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), we found that cultured RPE cells synthesize mRNA for IGF I and the type II IGF receptors.

Insulinlike growth factor I receptors in rabbit gastrointestinal tract: Characterization and autoradiographic localization

Insulinlike growth factor I is a potent mitogen with insulinlike metabolic effects. Insulinlike growth factor I is synthesized in the liver, intestine, and other organs. Insulinlike growth factor I receptors are widely distributed and structurally similar to insulin receptors. Frozen sections of rabbit gastrointestinal tract were incubated in buffer containing 40 pmol/L [125I]insulinlike growth factor I. Binding was saturable, temperature- and time-dependent, and reversible. Saturation binding experiments showed a single class of high-affinity receptors (Kd = 0.9 nmol/L, Bmax = 0.36 pmol/mg protein). The IC50s for insulinlike growth factor I and insulinlike growth factor II were 3 nmol/L and 90 nmol/L, respectively; whereas insulin at 1–3 μmol/L displaced 50% of specific binding. Autoradiography of insulinlike growth factor I binding demonstrated significant differences in receptor density in gastrointestinal smooth muscle, epithelium of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and colon. These results indicate that a single class of specific, high-affinity insulinlike growth factor I receptors were distributed in muscular and mucosal layers of the entire rabbit gastrointestinal tract. Insulinlike growth factor I is likely to be an important local mediator of intestinal growth and metabolism.

Monoclonal antibodies to the insulin receptor mimic metabolic effects of insulin but do not stimulate receptor autophosphorylation in transfected NIH 3T3 fibroblasts.

The metabolic actions of insulin and anti-insulin receptor monoclonal antibodies were compared with their effects on insulin receptor phosphorylation in mouse NIH 3T3 fibroblasts transfected with human insulin receptor cDNA. In serum-starved NIH 3T3 HIR3.5 cells, uptake of 2-deoxy-[3H]glucose was stimulated up to 2-fold after 30 min with insulin, with a half-maximal effect at 0.1 nM insulin. Incorporation of [3H]thymidine was stimulated approximately 12-fold after a 16-hr preincubation with insulin, with a half-maximal effect at 2 nM insulin. Phosphorylation of insulin receptor beta-subunit in cells prelabeled with [32P]phosphate was increased 10- to 20-fold within 5 min of adding insulin, with a half-maximal effect at approximately 3 nM insulin. Monoclonal antibodies reacting with four different epitopes on the insulin receptor mimicked the effect of insulin on 2-deoxyglucose uptake. These antibodies also stimulated thymidine incorporation, although the maximum stimulation was only approximately 30% that of insulin. Two antibodies (25-49 and 83-14) showed a similar concentration dependence to insulin in their metabolic effects and in the inhibition of 125I-labeled insulin binding to cells. The other two antibodies (83-7 and 18-44) were somewhat less potent and did not inhibit insulin binding. None of the antibodies significantly increased insulin receptor phosphorylation at concentrations up to 100 nM, which at least in the case of 25-49 and 83-14 was sufficient for full receptor occupancy. It is concluded that the insulin-like metabolic effects of antibodies involve a mechanism of receptor activation that is independent of autophosphorylation and hence that receptor autophosphorylation is not an essential step in triggering at least some events in the insulin signaling pathway.

Insulin-like and insulin-inhibitory effects of monoclonal antibodies for different epitopes on the human insulin receptor

Monoclonal antibodies previously shown to react with five distinct epitopes on the human insulin receptor were tested for their metabolic effects on isolated human adipocytes. Two antibodies which reacted with receptor alpha-subunit and completely inhibited 125I-insulin binding mimicked the actions of insulin to stimulate lipogenesis from [14C]glucose and to inhibit catecholamine-induced lipolysis. On a molar basis, these antibodies were comparable in potency with insulin itself. Two other antibodies which decreased insulin binding only slightly or not at all also mimicked these metabolic effects of insulin. One of these antibodies reacted with receptor beta-subunit. In contrast, a further antibody which reacted with alpha-subunit and inhibited insulin binding did not affect basal lipogenesis or catecholamine-induced lipolysis, but was able to antagonize the effects of insulin on these processes. The same antibody antagonized the insulin-like effect of another antibody with which it competed in binding to insulin receptor, but not the effect of an antibody which bound independently to the receptor. It is concluded that binding of ligand at or close to the insulin-binding site is neither necessary nor sufficient to trigger insulin-like metabolic effects, which may rather depend on some general property of antibodies, such as their ability to cross-link and aggregate receptor molecules.

Antiserum to liver insulin receptor hyperpolarizes rat muscle.

Antibodies to insulin receptors have been reported to have some insulinlike metabolic effects. If insulin-induced electrical hyperpolarization of skeletal muscle is part of the transduction chain between receptor and certain metabolic responses, then receptor antiserum should hyperpolarize. The Jacobs antiserum (rabbit antiserum against rat liver insulin receptor) hyperpolarized rat caudofemoralis muscle. Maximum effect, about 4.5 mV, occurred at 1:10,000 dilution, half maximum at about 1:40,000. Maximum effect of antiserum was only as great as half maximum hyperpolarization by insulin on this muscle. 2-Deoxyglucose uptake was also stimulated by antiserum but required greater concentration than for hyperpolarization, and the stimulation was only by about one-third the maximum effect of insulin.