Endosomal proteolysis of internalised [ArgA0]-human insulin at neutral pH generates the mature insulin peptide in rat liver in vivo.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: A proteolysis study of human monoarginyl-insulin ([Arg(A0)]-HI) and diarginyl-insulin ([Arg(B31)-Arg(B32)]-HI) within hepatic endosomes was undertaken to determine whether the endosomal compartment represents a physiological site for the removal of Arg residues and conversion of Arg-extended insulins into fully processed human insulin. METHODS: The metabolic fate of arginyl-insulins has been studied using the in situ rat liver model system following ligand administration to rats and cell-free hepatic endosomes. RESULTS: While the kinetics of insulin receptor endocytosis after the administration of arginyl-insulins were similar to those observed using human insulin, a more prolonged concentration of endosomal insulin receptor was observed in response to [Arg(A0)]-HI. [Arg(A0)]-HI induced a marked increase in the phosphotyrosine content of endosomal insulin receptor, coinciding with a more sustained endosomal association of growth factor receptor-bound protein 14 (GRB14), and a higher and prolonged activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. At acidic pH, the endosomal cathepsin D rapidly degraded insulin peptides with similar binding affinity, and generated comparable intermediates for both arginyl-insulins without affecting amino and carboxyl arginyl-peptide bonds. At neutral pH, hepatic endosomes fully processed [Arg(A0)]-HI into mature human insulin while no conversion was observed with [Arg(B31)-Arg(B32)]-HI. The neutral endosomal Arg-convertase was sensitive to bestatin, immunologically distinct from insulin-degrading enzyme, nardilysin or furin, and was potentially related to aminopeptidase-B-type enzyme. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The data describe a unique processing pathway for the endosomal proteolysis of [Arg(A0)]-HI which involves the removal of Arg(A0) and subsequent generation of mature human insulin through an uncovered neutral Arg-aminopeptidase activity. The endosomal conversion of [Arg(A0)]-HI into human insulin might extend the insulin receptor signalling at this locus.

Effects of STZ-induced diabetes and fasting on insulin receptor mRNA expression and insulin receptor gene transcription in rat liver.

Insulinopenic states in rodents are known to cause an increase in the number of hepatic insulin receptors. To determine if this change is related to an abnormality in insulin receptor gene expression, insulin receptor binding, insulin receptor mRNA levels, and insulin receptor gene transcription rates have been measured in livers from rats rendered hypoinsulinemic by STZ administration (65 mg/kg) or fasting. In the two groups of experimental rats, insulin binding to liver plasma membranes was increased (approximately 40 and 25%, respectively) relative to control, normoinsulinemic animals. Northern blot analysis of either total or poly (A)+ RNA from livers of hypo- and normoinsulinemic rats revealed two major insulin receptor mRNA species of 9.5 and 7.5 kbs. In hypoinsulinemic rats, insulin receptor mRNA levels were increased > or = 10-fold, with similar effects on the two mRNA species. The effects of STZ administration and fasting on insulin receptor binding and insulin receptor mRNA levels were fully reversed by insulin treatment or refeeding, respectively. Injection of ACT D, an inhibitor of gene transcription, decreased insulin receptor mRNA levels by > or = 80% in control and diabetic rats and suppressed the overexpression of mRNA seen in diabetic rats. In vitro nuclear transcription assays showed that the rate of transcription of the insulin receptor gene was increased 2-fold in STZ-induced diabetic rats and fasted rats relative to control animals. Taken together, these results suggest that the upregulation of the insulin receptor induced by chronic insulinopenia results, at least in part, from an increase in insulin receptor gene transcription.

Changes in low-Km cAMP phosphodiesterase activity in liver Golgi fractions from hyper- and hypoinsulinemic rats.

Acute insulin treatment in rats has recently been shown to cause a rapid increase in liver low-Km cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity, which selectively affects Golgi fractions. To assess the physiological significance of this observation, the cAMP PDE activity associated with liver Golgi fractions has been measured in genetically obese Zucker rats, which spontaneously develop hyperinsulinemia, in rats receiving a continuous infusion of insulin, and in rats treated with anti-insulin serum. In genetically obese Zucker rats, a significant increase in Golgi-associated cAMP PDE relative to age-matched lean animals occurred after 3 wk, coinciding with the development of hyperinsulinemia. This change was maximal at 5-8 wk and affected the light (Gl) and intermediate (Gi) Golgi fractions (100-110% increase) to a greater extent than the heavy (Gh) fraction (30% increase). After 7 wk, despite the further increase in insulinemia, the increase in Golgi-associated cAMP PDE became progressively less marked, and at 18 wk it was no longer detectable except in Gh, suggesting the development of a hepatic insulin resistance. Infusion of insulin through chronically implanted intracardiac catheters led to a 30-50% increase in Golgi-associated cAMP PDE, which occurred earlier in Gi (3 h) than in Gh (7 h) and persisted for greater than 96 h. Injection of anti-insulin serum led to a 30-50% decrease in Golgi-associated cAMP PDE, which occurred sequentially in Gl (5 min), Gi (15 min), and Gh (30 min) and affected predominantly Gl and Gh. These results suggest that the cAMP PDE associated with Golgi fractions is a physiological effector of plasma insulin in vivo.

Insulin-related changes in the subcellular distribution of insulin receptors in intact rat liver: effects of acute hypoinsulinemia induced by diazoxide, somatostatin, and xylazine.

The effects of inhibitors of insulin secretion on the concentration of plasma insulin and on the subcellular distribution of hepatic insulin receptors have been examined in rats. Liver plasma membranes, Golgi fractions, and a total particulate fraction were prepared various times after the injection of diazoxide (10 mg), xylazine (0.5 mg), and somatostatin (20 micrograms as a bolus followed by a 20 micrograms/15-min infusion), solubilized by Triton X-100, and examined for specific insulin binding. Injection of each of these drugs caused a 4- to 8-fold decrease in plasma insulin concentration, and concomitantly, a 25-35% decrease in insulin binding to Golgi fractions; a 10% increase in insulin binding to plasma membranes also occurred in diazoxide-treated rats. Insulin binding to the total particulate fraction was unaffected. These changes achieved maximum by 10-30 min and underwent complete reversal in 1 h. The decrease in insulin binding to Golgi fractions resulted exclusively from a change in receptor number and was accompanied by a 4- to 6-fold decrease in the content of extractable insulin in these fractions; the latter observation suggests that receptor internalization, rather than receptor synthesis, is diminished. The effects of diazoxide on plasma insulin concentration, insulin binding to Golgi fractions, and insulin content of Golgi fractions were fully prevented by tolbutamide, a stimulant of insulin secretion. These results show that acute hypoinsulinemias in rats are accompanied by changes in the subcellular distribution of hepatic insulin receptors that are opposite to those previously observed in acute hyperinsulinemias. Furthermore, both in acute hyperinsulinemic and hypoinsulinemic models, a significant correlation is observed between plasma insulin concentration on the one hand, and insulin binding to Golgi fractions as well as insulin content of Golgi fractions on the other. It is concluded that the extent to which hepatic insulin receptors are internalized is a function of their occupancy by endogenous hormone, and that, at least under acute conditions, receptor internalization is one major mechanism involved in receptor regulation.

Changes in the subcellular distribution of insulin receptors in rat liver induced by acute endogenous hyperinsulinemia.

The effects of an acute increase in endogenous plasma insulin on the subcellular distribution of the insulin receptors in rat liver have been examined. Plasma membranes, Golgi fractions, and a total particulate fraction have been prepared in rats (BW, 200 g) various times after the injection of glucose (300 mg), arginine (200 mg), glucagon (75 micrograms), and tolbutamide (10 mg). These fractions have been examined for their ability to bind [125I]insulin after solubilization by Triton X-100. The injection of glucose, which causes a 5-fold elevation in the plasma insulin concentration, results in a 20-25% decrease in insulin binding to plasma membranes and, reciprocally, a 50-70% increase in insulin binding to Golgi fractions; insulin binding to the total particulate fraction is unaffected. These changes achieve maximum at 5-15 min, coinciding with the insulin peak, and undergo complete reversal in 1 h. The enhanced insulin-binding activity in Golgi fractions results almost exclusively from an increase in receptor number. Glucose-induced hyperinsulinemia also results in a 5-fold increase in the insulin content of Golgi fractions at 15 min. Other stimulants of insulin secretion, which elevate insulinemia to the same extent as glucose, also increase insulin binding to Golgi fractions and decrease insulin binding to plasma membranes, with no change in binding activity in the total particulate fraction. It is concluded that an acute increase in the plasma insulin concentration, induced by physiological stimuli, results in a rapid and reversible translocation of the insulin receptors from the surface to the interior of the hepatocyte without affecting their total number.

Interaction of human growth hormone with isolated rat liver cells.

The interaction of 125I-labeled human growth hormone (hGH) with isolated rat liver cells is a specific, time dependent and saturable process. In male rats, one cell binds a maximum of 2000 hormone molecules; the dissociation constant of the cell-hGH interaction is about 3 X 10(-10)M. Liver cells of female rats bind 5 to 10 times more hGH than do those of male rats at equivalent hormone concentrations. Binding of 125I-labeled hGH to liver cells is readily inhibited by native hGH; 50% inhibition occurs at about 2 X 10(-9)M hGH irrespective of sex. In male rats, bovine growth hormone (bGH) is almost as potent as hGH in inhibiting 125I-labeled hGH binding; no displacement occurs with ovine prolactin (oPRL) except at very high (greater than 10(-6)M) concentrations. In female rats, bGH competes less effectively, and oPRL, more effectively, than they do in males; in addition, oPRL demonstrates a higher apparent affinity for the hGH binding sites (4 X 10(-9)M) than does bGH (1 X 10(-8M). These findings suggest that in female rats hGH, unlike bGH, interacts with additional, "lactogenic" binding sites that are distinct from the "growth hormone" binding sites. The 125I-labeled hGH eluted from liver cells as well as that which remains in the incubation medium retains full biological activity, as judged on its ability to bind specifically to liver membranes. Treatment of liver cells by phospholipase A causes a 5-fold increase in cell binding capacity. Liver cells bind about the same amount of hGH as do crude particulate fractions from these cells; this suggests that in the intact cell, binding occurs at relatively accessible sites, presumably localized in the plasma membrane.

Ligand-mediated internalization of glucagon receptors in intact rat liver.

The ligand-induced internalization of the hepatic glucagon receptor has been studied in rats in vivo using cell fractionation. Injection of glucagon (11 nmol/100 g BW) led to a 2- to 3-fold increase in glucagon-binding activity in Golgi-endosomal (GE) fractions along with a 10-20% decrease in binding activity in plasma membrane (PM) fractions. These changes were time and dose dependent, reaching a maximum by 12-24 min and undergoing reversal in 2 h. Glucagon injection also caused a 20% decrease in glucagon binding to the total particulate fraction, which did not occur when binding was measured in the presence of the detergent octylglucoside. The change in glucagon-binding activity in PM and GE fractions resulted mainly from a change in receptor number; affinity remained unaffected (apparent Kd, 0.5 and 5 nM, respectively). A 5- to 10-fold increase in the glucagon content of GE fractions was observed in glucagon-treated rats. Neither the distribution of PM and Golgi marker enzymes nor that of the asialoglycoprotein receptor was affected by glucagon treatment. Regardless of glucagon treatment, glucagon receptors in GE fractions were less sensitive to GTP than receptors in PM fractions with respect to both inhibition of steady state binding and dissociation of prebound ligand. On sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, glucagon-receptor complexes formed in PM and GE fractions and subsequently cross-linked showed the same apparent mol wt (57 kilodaltons). In addition, they were identically sensitive to N-glycanase treatment, with two major species of lower mol wt generated. However, only cross-linked complexes associated with PM fractions showed detectable GTP sensitivity. GE fractions displayed a GTP-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity that was about 12 times lower than that of PM fractions. In both fractions, activity was stimulated by the addition of forskolin (8-fold) and, to a lesser extent, glucagon (3-fold). In vivo glucagon treatment led to an increase in activity in GE, but not PM, fractions. These results are consistent with the view that upon acute occupancy, hepatic glucagon receptors are rapidly and specifically internalized along with their ligand. During this process, receptor retained structural integrity and uncouple, albeit partially, from other components of the adenylate cyclase system.

Fate of injected human growth hormone in the female rat liver in vivo.

[125I]Iodohuman GH ([125I]iodo-hGH) was injected iv to female rats, and its subcellular distribution was studied with time using fractionation techniques. Uptake in the total particulate fraction was maximal by 15 min after injections; at that time, 7% of the radioactivity injected was recovered per g liver. Liver uptake of [125I]iodo-hGH was markedly inhibited by coinjection of native hGH. [125I]Iodo-hGH taken up by the liver underwent a time-dependent translocation process. In the first 5 min, the radioactivity was associated with membranes of high density sedimenting in the nuclear and microsomal fractions. Later on, it was progressively associated with microsomal subfractions of lower density, the Golgi fractions; labeling of these was maximum at 15 min. Fifteen and 30 min after injection, labeled material was recovered in the mitochondrial-lysosomal fraction. Further fractionation of the latter by centrifugation on a metrizamide gradient showed that all of the radioactivity was associated with lysosomal subfractions, with virtually no radioactivity associated with mitochondria. On linear sucrose density gradients, the radioactivity exhibited a broad, somewhat bimodal distribution; the component of highest density coincided with the lysosomal enzyme acid phosphatase. Triton WR 1339 treatment of rats resulted in a shift of the radioactivity and acid phosphatase toward lower densities, indicating that a high proportion of the former was associated with lysosomes. The labeled material eluted from the subcellular fractions prepared at different times appeared as intact hGH, ad judged by trichloroacetic acid precipitability and binding to membranes. Upon in vivo interaction with liver cells, [125I]iodo-hGH is internalized, with a sequential association with plasma membranes, Golgi elements, and lysosomes.

Characterization of a liver low Michaelis-Menten constant 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase activity sensitive to thyroid status.

These studies were undertaken to assess the subcellular distribution and some biochemical properties of the hepatic cAMP phosphodiesterase(s) whose activity is modulated by the thyroid status in the rat. Thyroidectomy led to a 2-fold increase in low Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) cAMP phosphodiesterase activity in Golgi-endosomal fractions, but little affected this activity in crude particulate fractions. On analytical sucrose density gradients, an increase in cAMP phosphodiesterase activity in particulate elements which equilibrated at densities 1.17-1.22 was also observed. Acute insulin treatment did not further increase cAMP phosphodiesterase activity in Golgi-endosomal fractions of thyroidectomized rats. Up to 75% of the cAMP phosphodiesterase activity associated with Golgi-endosomal fraction of euthyroid and hypothyroid rats was inhibited by cGMP (IC50, 10 microM and 1 microM, respectively). Activity was also potently inhibited by griseolic acid, cilostamide, and cilostazole (IC50, less than 1 microM) but was much less sensitive to R0-20-1724 (IC50, 1 mM). Treatment of Golgi-endosomal fractions by a hypotonic extract of rat liver lysosomes led to the solubilization of 50% of low Km cAMP phosphodiesterase activity. On sucrose density gradients, the solubilized activity migrated as a slightly asymmetrical peak with a sedimentation coefficient of 6 S in euthyroid rats and 6.9 S in hypothyroid rats. On nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the activity migrated as two majors peaks with Rf values of 0.23 and 0.50; only the activity associated with the fast-moving peak was increased by thyroidectomy. On diethylaminoethyl-Sephacel chromatography, four peaks of cAMP phosphodiesterase activity, two of which were cGMP-inhibitable, were resolved. Thyroidectomy increased the activity associated with one of the cGMP-inhibitable peaks (eluted at 0.7-0.9 M sodium acetate) and led to the appearance of a new peak of activity (eluted at 0.4 M), which was not sensitive to cGMP. These results show that the low Km phosphodiesterase activity associated with liver Golgi-endosomal fractions, previously shown to be increased in hyperinsulinemic rats, is also increased in hypothyroid animals. They also suggest that, based on pharmacological and physical criteria, the enzyme species affected by the thyroid status belongs to the cGMP-and cilostamide-inhibited subclass of low Km cAMP phosphodiesterases.

Vanadate, but not insulin, inhibits insulin receptor gene expression in rat hepatoma cells.

Insulin and vanadate treatments have recently been shown to reverse the overexpression of the hepatic insulin receptor (IR) gene in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. To better understand the mechanisms underlying these effects, the abilities of insulin and vanadate to affect IR gene expression have been comparatively examined in Fao hepatoma cells, an insulin-responsive cell line. Exposure of Fao cells to insulin (1 microM) or vanadate (500 microM) for 24 h led to a 2-fold decrease in IR number in total cellular membranes. Insulin treatment did not affect IR messenger RNA (mRNA) level regardless of time of exposure and concentration. In contrast, vanadate treatment caused a time- and dose-dependent decrease in IR mRNA level, which was maximal (4-fold change) after a 24-h exposure to 500 microM vanadate and was fully reversible. Insulin treatment increased from 28 to 39% the relative expression of isotype A IR mRNA, but vanadate treatment did not significantly affect this parameter. Vanadate treatment did not modify mRNA half-life (3.5 h) in 5, 6 dichlorobenzimidazole riboside-treated cells but decreased by 4-fold the transcriptional activity of the IR gene. These data show for the first time that, although both insulin and vanadate decrease total cellular IR number in Fao cells, only vanadate decreases IR mRNA level. It does so by inhibiting transcription of the IR gene, suggesting an action on the gene promoter which could be mediated by changes in the level of expression and/or of phosphorylation of trans-acting factors.

Mechanisms of up-regulation of the liver insulin receptor in chronically hypoinsulinemic rats: assessment of receptor endocytosis.

Chronic hypoinsulinemic states in rodents are known to cause an increase in the number of insulin receptors at the hepatocyte surface. To assess whether this change results from a reduced endocytosis of the receptors, the effects of streptozotocin treatment and fasting on the number and the subcellular distribution of hepatic insulin receptors have been evaluated in the rat. In streptozotocin-treated rats, insulin receptor number was increased by 25-40% in plasma membrane and total cellular membrane fractions, and by 60-130% in the light Golgi-endosomal (GE) fraction. In contrast, receptor number was unaffected in the intermediate GE fraction and decreased by 25-35% in the heavy GE fraction. Such changes were detectable at 12 h in GE fractions and at 2 days in other subcellular fractions, and lasted for at least 8 days. Streptozotocin treatment also led to a 3- to 4-fold decrease in the insulin content of GE fractions, indicating reduced hormone endocytosis. Fasting for 16 h elicited changes in receptor and ligand concentration in cell fractions comparable to those induced by streptozotocin. It is concluded that, although endocytosis of hepatic insulin receptors is reduced in chronic hypoinsulinemic states, changes in receptor synthesis and/or degradation also occur in these states.

Vanadate treatment of diabetic rats reverses the impaired expression of genes involved in hepatic glucose metabolism: effects on glycolytic and gluconeogenic enzymes, and on glucose transporter GLUT2.

The trace element vanadium is a potent insulinomimetic agent in vitro. Oral administration of vanadate to rats made diabetic by streptozotocin (45 mg/kg i.v.) caused a 65% fall in plasma glucose levels without modifying low insulinemia. We studied whether the hypoglycemic effect of vanadate was associated with altered expression of genes involved in key steps of hepatic glucose metabolism. Glucokinase (GK) and L-type pyruvate kinase (L-PK) mRNA levels were decreased respectively by 90% and 70% in fed diabetic rats, in close correlation with changes in enzyme activities. Eighteen days of vanadate treatment partially restored GK mRNA and activity (40% of control levels), and totally restored L-PK parameters. In contrast to the glycolytic enzymes, mRNA levels and activity of the gluconeogenic enzyme, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) were increased (15- and 2-fold, respectively) in fed diabetic rats. Vanadate treatment normalized both PEPCK mRNA and activity in diabetic rat liver. The 2-fold increase in liver glucose transporter (GLUT2) mRNA and protein, produced by diabetes, was also corrected by this treatment. In conclusion, oral vanadate given to diabetic rats induces a shift of the predominating gluconeogenic flux, with subsequent high hepatic glucose production, into a glycolytic flux by pretranslational regulatory mechanisms.

Ligand-induced changes in the subcellular distribution of insulin receptors in rat liver: effects of colchicine.

The in vivo effects of colchicine on the subcellular distribution of insulin receptors have been studied in insulin-injected rats and in control animals. Colchicine (0.1 mg/100 g or 10 mg/100 g body weight, i.v.) did not affect the ability of plasma membranes and Golgi fractions of control rats to bind insulin. As previously reported (Desbuquois et al., 1982), the injection of native insulin (8 nmol, i.v.) caused a 50% decrease in the insulin binding activity of plasma membranes and a concomitant 50% increase in insulin binding to Golgi fractions. These changes occurred at 4 and 40 min after insulin injection but were no longer detectable at 3 h. Colchicine treatment did not affect the initial changes in the distribution of insulin receptors induced by insulin; however, in rats treated with the low dose of colchicine, insulin binding to plasma membranes at 3 h was not fully restored. Colchicine treatment did not alter the amount of acid-extractable insulin associated with Golgi fractions of insulin-injected rats. The time course of uptake of 125I-insulin was similar in plasma membranes, microsomal fraction and Golgi fractions of colchicine-treated (0.1 mg/100 g) and of untreated rats. These results suggest that colchicine does not interfere with the endocytosis of insulin receptors induced by their ligand and has little effect, if any, on the reinsertion of internalized receptors in the plasma membrane.

Increased expression of liver PKC alpha in hypoinsulinemic diabetic rats: a post-translational effect.

Ca2+-dependent protein kinase C (cPKC) activity and expression have been studied in livers from hypoinsulinemic streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic and untreated control rats. In diabetic rats, cPKC activity was slightly decreased in liver total particulate and nuclear fractions but was unchanged in mitochondrial-lysosomal, microsomal and cytosolic fractions. On Western immunoblot analysis, PKC alpha was identified as two distinct proteins of 90 and 81 kDa. In diabetic rats, the abundance of the 90 kDa protein was increased in most subcellular fractions with a maximum in the cytosolic and microsomal fractions (180%) but that of the 81 kDa protein was unchanged. PKC beta2 was detected as a single 81 kDa protein in cytosolic and microsomal fractions with unchanged levels in diabetic rats. Liver PKC alpha mRNA levels as measured by reverse transcription and competitive PCR amplification were similar in diabetic and control rats. The increased expression of PKC alpha protein in diabetic rats was reversed by insulin but not by phlorizin, suggesting that it did not result from hyperglycemia. We conclude that STZ-induced diabetes induces the expression of a biologically inactive form of PKC alpha which differs from active PKC alpha by an undefined post-translational modification, possibly an increase in phosphorylation state.

Longitudinal study of tissue- and subunit-specific obesity-induced regulation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex.

The tissue-specific expression of the mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHc) has been studied in an animal model of obesity with hyperinsulinemia, the obese (fa/fa) Zucker rat. Liver and heart were obtained from 4 and 8 week-old obese rats and age-matched lean animals, and in each tissue the following parameters were analyzed: (1) total activity of the mitochondrial PDHc; (2) abundance of the mitochondrial PDHc subunits on Western blots; and (3) abundance of the E1alpha and E1beta subunit mRNAs on Northern blots and semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Regardless of age, obese rats showed an increase in liver total PDHc activity and a coordinate increase in liver E1alpha and E1beta PDHc subunit abundance. At 4 weeks, obese rats also showed an increase in liver PDH E1alpha mRNA level, but regardless of age E1beta mRNA level was unchanged. In contrast, neither total PDHc activity nor the concentration of its protein subunits were increased in heart of obese rats. Thus, obese Zucker rats display a liver-specific early increase in PDHc which results from a selective up-regulation of the E1alpha gene expression.

Characterization of insulin degradation products generated in liver endosomes: in vivo and in vitro studies.

The degradation products generated from A14 and B26 125I-labelled insulins in liver endosomes in vivo and in vitro have been isolated by high-performance liquid chromatography and cleavages in the B chain have been identified by automated radiosequence analysis. In rats sacrificed various times after injection of each of the 125I-labelled insulins, two major degradation products slightly less hydrophobic than intact iodoinsulins were identified; these accounted, at 8 min. for about 45% (A14 125I-labelled insulin) and 15% (B26 125I-labelled insulin) of the total radioactivity recovered, respectively. The products generated from A14 125I-labelled insulin contained an intact A chain, whereas those generated from B26 125I-labelled insulin contained a B chain cleaved at the B16-B17 bond. With B26 125I-labelled insulin, two minor products, with cleavages at the B23-B24 and B24-B25 bonds, were also observed. In vivo chloroquine treatment did not alter the nature but caused a decrease in the amount of insulin degradation products associated with endosomes. When endosomal fractions isolated from iodoinsulin injected rats were incubated at 30 degrees C in isotonic KCl, a rapid degradation of iodoinsulin, maximal at pH 6, was observed. With A14 125I-labelled insulin, the two major degradation products identified in vivo were generated along with monoiodotyrosine, but with B26 125I-labelled insulin monoiodotyrosine was the main product formed. Addition of ATP, presumably by decreasing the endosomal pH, shifted the medium pH for maximal iodoinsulin degradation to about 7-8. These studies have allowed a direct identification of two previously suggested cleavage sites in the B chain. They have also shown that the degradation products generated in cell-free endosomes under conditions that promote endosomal acidification are similar to those identified in vivo.

Treatment of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats with vanadate and phlorizin prevents the over-expression of the liver insulin receptor gene.

Administration of vanadate, an insulinomimetic agent, has been shown to normalize the increased number of insulin receptors in the liver of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. In the present study, the effects of vanadate on various steps of expression of the liver insulin receptor gene in diabetic rats have been analyzed and compared with those of phlorizin, a glucopenic drug devoid of insulinomimetic properties. Livers of rats killed 23 days after streptozotocin injection showed a 30-40% increase in the number of cell surface and intracellular insulin receptors, a 50-90% increase in the levels of 9.5 and 7.5 kb insulin receptor mRNA species, and a 20% decrease in the relative abundance of the A (exon 11-) insulin receptor mRNA isotype. Daily administration of vanadate or phlorizin from day 5 to day 23 prevented the increase in insulin receptor number and mRNA level, and vanadate treatment also normalized receptor mRNA isotype expression. Unlike observations in vivo, vanadate and phlorizin differentially affected the expression of the insulin receptor gene in Fao hepatoma cells. Vanadate treatment (0.5 mmol/l for 4 h) decreased the levels of the 9.5 and 7.5 kb insulin receptor transcripts by at least twofold, without affecting the relative abundance of the A insulin receptor mRNA isotype. In contrast, phlorizin treatment (5 mmol/l for 4 h) slightly increased or did not affect the levels of the 9.5 and 7.5 kb insulin receptor transcripts respectively, and increased by twofold the relative expression of the A insulin receptor mRNA isotype. It is suggested that, although mediated in part by a reversal of hyperglycemia, normalization of liver insulin receptor gene expression by vanadate treatment in diabetic rats may also involve a direct inhibitory effect of this drug on gene expression.

Effects of growth hormone on pyruvate dehydrogenase activity in intact rat liver and in isolated hepatocytes: comparison with insulin.

The effects of growth hormone and insulin on the activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase were examined in the rat, both in vivo and in isolated hepatocytes. Liver mitochondria isolated from rats killed from five to 45 minutes after injection of 50 micrograms/100 g human growth hormone (hGH) or 25 micrograms/100 g insulin displayed a significant increase in the activity of basal pyruvate dehydrogenase (38% and 48% above control at ten minutes, respectively). These changes probably result from the conversion of the phosphorylated form to the nonphosphorylated form of pyruvate dehydrogenase since total enzyme activity was unaffected. Treatment of isolated hepatocytes by hGH or insulin also led to an increase in pyruvate dehydrogenase activity which was maximal (25% above control value) at 15 minutes. Later, activation progressively decreased and was no longer detectable at 60 minutes. The concentrations of hGH or insulin required for maximal activation were 100 nmol/L and 20 nmol/L, respectively, and the concentration required for half-maximal stimulation was 2 nmol/L for both hormones. The effects of 100 nmol/L hGH and 100 nmol/L insulin on pyruvate dehydrogenase activity were not additive. Basal pyruvate dehydrogenase activity in hepatocytes exhibited linear kinetics; hGH or insulin increased the Vmax of the enzyme without changing its Km and did not affect the Vmax of the total enzyme activity. It is concluded that growth hormone is as potent and as efficient as insulin in its ability to stimulate the activity of liver pyruvate dehydrogenase, and thus may be a physiological activator of this enzyme.

[Glucagon receptors]. / Récepteurs du glucagon

The lecturer recalls the discovery of glucagon receptors in liver cell membranes, the role of the adenylate cyclase-AMPc system, until recent attempts at purification and isolation of this receptor. He then reviews successively, the problems of estimation, specificity of the interaction, the effects of purine and pyrimidine nucleotides on glucagon receptor interaction, etc. The importance of the two nucleotides GTP and ATP in activation of adenylate cyclase is emphasized. The VIP receptors ("vasoactive intestinal peptide") and secretin receptors are also discussed. In some ways, they resemble glucagon receptors. The possible consequences of these discoveries arethen discussed.

[Glucagon receptors]. / Récepteurs du glucagon.

Glucagon is a hormonal polypeptide secreted by the A cells of the endocrine pancreas. Its major physiological effects are stimulation of hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. In this review, the current knowledge of receptors and transduction mechanisms involved in the action of glucagon are briefly presented. Receptors and/or an adenyl cyclase system sensitive to glucagon have been identified in the liver, adipocytes, B and D cells of the endocrine pancreas, heart, kidney and brain. In hepatocytes and cytoplasmic membranes of the liver, two populations of receptors with dissociation constants of the oder of 0.1-1 and 10-100 nM respectively have been described. High affinity receptors (10,000-50,000 sites per cell; 2 to 3 pmol/mg of membrane protein) represent approximately 1 to 10% of total receptors. A remarkable property of the glucagon-receptor interaction in the membrane is the decrease in its affinity which can be induced by guanyl nucleotides. Morphologically and biochemically, two events characterise the fate of the glucagon-receptor complex in the hepatocyte: endocytosis of the ligand, and probably the receptor, into an acid cellular compartment and degradation of the ligand. Two of the recently identified degradation products, correspond to sequences 4-29 and 1-13 of the peptide. The major functional consequence of occupation of the receptors is stimulation, via a regulatory protein Gs, of adenyl cyclase activity. More recently, two other effects have been discovered--stimulation of cellular mobilisation of calcium (secondary to an increase in inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate production) and inhibition of the calcium pump leading to an increase in free cytoplasmic calcium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)