Estimation of somatomedin-C levels in normals and patients with pituitary disease by radioimmunoassay.

The development of a radioimmunoassay for somatomedin-C has for the first time made it possible to discriminate between serum concentrations of a single peptide or closely related group of peptides and the net somatomedin activity measured by less specific bioassay and radioreceptor techniques. Antibodies to human somatomedin-C were raised in rabbits using a somatomedin-C ovalbumin complex as the antigen. A variety of peptide hormones at concentrations up to 1 muM are not recognized by the antibody. Insulin at concentrations >0.1 muM cross reacts in a non-parallel fashion; purified somatomedin-A is only 3% as active as somatomedin-C; and radiolabeled cloned rat liver multiplication stimulating activity does not bind to the antibody. Immunoreactive somatomedin-C can also be quantitated in the sera of a variety of subhuman species. Unusual assay kinetics, which are manifest when reactants are incubated under classic "equilibrium" assay conditions, appear to result from the failure of (125)I-somatomedin-C to readily equilibrate with the somatomedin-C serum binding protein complex. It is, therefore, necessary to use nonequilibrium assay conditions to quantitate somatomedin-C in serum. With this assay it is possible to detect somatomedin-C in normal subjects using as little as 0.25 mul of unextracted serum. Serum somatomedin-C concentrations in normal subjects were lowest in cord blood and rose rapidly during the first 4 yr of life to near adult levels. In 23 normal adult volunteers, the mean serum somatomedin-C concentration was 1.50+/-0.10 U/ml (SEM) when compared to a pooled adult serum standard. 19 children with hypopituitary dwarfism had concentrations below 0.20 U/ml. 17 of these were below 0.1 U/ml, the lower limit of sensitivity of the assay. The mean concentration in 14 adults with active acromegaly was 6.28+/-0.37 U/ml (SEM), five times greater than the normal volunteers. Significant increases in serum somatomedin-C concentrations were observed in 8 of 10 hypopituitary children within 72 h after the parenteral administration of human growth hormone. Three patients with Cushing's disease had elevated serum somatomedin-C concentrations (2.61+/-0.14 U/ml [SEM]). Three patients with hyperprolactinemia had normal concentrations (1.74+/-0.11 U/ml [SEM]).The important new discovery brought to light by quantitation of immunoassayable somatomedin in patient sera is that all previously used assays detect, in addition to somatomedin-C, serum substances that are not under as stringent growth hormone control.

Somatomedin-C receptors and growth effects in human breast cells maintained in long-term tissue culture.

Somatomedin-C (SM-C) is a growth hormone-dependent polypeptide with potent mitogenic activity in vivo and in vitro. In the present study, we show that four human breast cell lines maintained in long-term tissue culture (MCF-7, T47-D, MDA-MB-231, and HBL-100) have type I somatomedin receptors and that SM-C stimulates DNA synthesis in these cells. The concentration of SM-C required for half-maximal stimulation of DNA synthesis varied from 0.03 nM in the MCF-7 cell line to 0.6 nM in the T47-D cells. Porcine insulin also stimulated DNA synthesis in all cell lines but, compared to SM-C, 10- to 1000-fold-higher concentrations were required. SM-C receptors on the four breast cell lines were characterized by competitive binding and chemical cross-linking techniques. The four cell lines varied widely in their SM-C binding. In three of the cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and HBL-100), the SM-C receptor had a Kd for SM-C of 0.5 to 1 nM, and insulin competed for binding but with a potency 1/10 to 1/100 that of SM-C. In the T47-D cell line, the Kd for SM-C binding was 4 nM, and insulin competed poorly for binding. Chemical cross-linking studies showed that all four cell lines have type I somatomedin receptors. Variations in the sensitivity to SM-C and insulin stimulated DNA synthesis in the MCF-7 and T47-D cell lines correlated with type I somatomedin receptor binding by these cells. The data indicate that SM-C is mitogenic for cultured human breast cells and are consistent with the hypothesis that the mitogenic effect of insulin for these cells is mediated through the type I somatomedin receptor.

Effects of insulin-like growth factor receptor inhibition on human melanomas in culture and in athymic mice.

The role of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptor in regulating the growth of melanoma cells was evaluated by examining the effect of antibody-mediated IGF receptor inhibition on the growth of four human melanoma cell lines in culture and as xenotransplants in athymic mice. All four cell lines expressed typical type I IGF receptors and an antibody to this receptor (alpha IR-3) inhibited [125I]IGF-I binding. However, the cell lines varied widely in their in vitro responsiveness to IGF-I and alpha IR-3: in the WM 373 and WM 852 cell lines, IGF-I stimulated cell replication and alpha IR-3 inhibited this response, whereas in the WM 239-A and WM 266-4 cell lines neither the growth factor nor the antibody affected growth. A wide variation was also observed in the effect of the antibody on the growth of the different cell lines as xenotransplants but this qualitatively correlated with the responses observed in vitro: alpha IR-3 treatment significantly inhibited the growth of the WM 373 and WM 852 xenotransplants but did not inhibit the growth of the WM 239-A or WM 266-4 xenotransplants and may even have had a slight stimulatory effect. These results indicate that the IGF receptor pathway is a functional regulator of the in vivo growth of some melanomas and that this is reflected in the activity of this pathway as determined in vitro. These findings suggest that therapies aimed at inhibiting the IGF pathway may be beneficial in treating some melanomas.

Caloric restriction and 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary tumor growth in rats: alterations in circulating insulin, insulin-like growth factors I and II, and epidermal growth factor.

Caloric restriction (CR) inhibits many neoplastic diseases in rodents, yet the biochemical mechanism(s) for these effects are poorly understood. We have examined the effects of ad libitum (AL) feeding with 25 or 40% CR on the promotion of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary tumorigenesis in virgin female Sprague-Dawley rats. Further, we have also studied the influence of chronic CR on temporal alterations in circulating insulin, insulin-like growth factor I/somatomedin C, insulin-like growth factor II/multiplication-stimulating activity, and epidermal growth factor levels at 0, 1, 3, 5, 11, and 20 weeks in carcinogen- and vehicle-treated animals. Tumor incidence and multiplicity were markedly inhibited (P less than 0.05) with increasing CR. Fasting serum insulin-like growth factor I/somatomedin C levels exhibited a significant acute decline with CR at 1 and 3 weeks, but were comparable to AL-fed controls throughout the remainder of the 5-month study, despite continued differences in weight gain between AL and CR rats. Levels of insulin-like growth factor II/multiplication-stimulating activity exhibited no discernible pattern in relation to CR. Serum insulin levels showed age-dependent increases, but were affected by increasing CR at all time points. Insulin levels were significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced in 40% CR rats from 3 weeks onward compared to controls, while 25% CR resulted in nonsignificant (P less than 0.07) reductions throughout the study. No significant differences in growth factor levels were observed between 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene- and vehicle-treated rats. Circulating epidermal growth factor was not detectable in any treatment group regardless of the nature or duration of the dietary regimen, time of blood collection, or subsequent tumor-bearing status. These data suggest that decreased serum insulin-like growth factor I/somatomedin C and insulin levels with CR and their complex interactions in vivo may play a role in the inhibition of mammary tumor promotion by CR.

Growth factor binding to 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary tumors from rats subject to chronic caloric restriction.

Caloric restriction (CR) inhibits tumorigenesis in rodents. To understand the basis for this effect the binding of insulin, insulin-like growth factor I/somatomedin C (IGF-I/Sm-C), insulin-like growth factor II/multiplication stimulating activity (IGF-II/MSA), and epidermal growth factor were examined to membrane preparations of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary adenocarcinomas and several normal tissues from female Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals were fed ad libitum (AL) or 25% and 40% calorically restricted diets. Large, palpable (LP) and small, less than or equal to 100 mg, nonpalpable (SNP) tumors were evaluated. Growth factor binding to tumors was differentially affected by CR. IGF-I/Sm-C binding was comparable for AL-LP, AL-SNP, and 25% CR-LP tumors, but elevated in 25% CR-SNP tumors. Scatchard analysis revealed high and low affinity IGF-I/Sm-C binding sites, with AL-SNP and 25% CR-SNP tumors exhibiting similar levels of high affinity sites and at a greater concentration than AL-LP and 25% CR-LP tumors. Insulin binding to mammary tumors was low, i.e., 8- to 13-fold lower than IGF-I/Sm-C binding. The 25% CR-LP and SNP tumors bound 2- to 5-fold more insulin than corresponding AL-LP and SNP tumors. Binding of IGF-II/MSA to these tumor preparations was high, approximately 11- to 25-fold greater than insulin binding, and was unaffected by CR or tumor size. The binding of epidermal growth factor was not detected in any tumor preparations. Receptor binding studies were confirmed with covalent cross-linking and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analyses. Normal tissues exhibited tissue- and growth factor-specific alterations in binding with host CR. Thus, alterations in growth factor binding were not tumor specific, but were less pronounced than in mammary tumors. These findings suggest alterations in IGF-I/Sm-C and insulin binding properties to tumors in relation to CR and tumor size may contribute, in part, to the inhibitory effects of CR on tumorigenesis.

Incidence and distribution of experimental metastases in mutant mice with defective organ microenvironments (genotypes Sl/Sld and W/Wv).

Mice carrying mutations at the Sl (steel) and W (dominant white spotting) loci develop abnormalities on 3 migratory embryonic stem cell populations: hematopoietic stem cells, neural crest-derived melanocytes, and primordial germ cells. Transplantation experiments have indicated that the Sl locus affects the microenvironment where stem cells migrate, proliferate, and differentiate, while the W locus affects the migratory cells themselves. The Sl locus encodes for a multipotent growth factor known as stem cell factor. The W locus encodes the c-kit protein tyrosine kinase receptor whose ligand is the stem cell factor. We have investigated the incidence and organ distribution of experimental metastases after systemic intra-arterial injection of B16-G3.26 melanoma cells into mutant Sl/Sld and W/Wv mice. Both mutant mouse strains had a markedly lower incidence of ovarian metastases when compared with their congenic +/+ mice. In contrast to the rare colonization of the ovaries, Sl/Sld and W/Wv mice developed metastases in the myocardium, kidney, and stomach--anatomic sites that were infrequently or never affected in their congenic nonmutant mice. The only organs in which the average number of metastatic colonies differed between Sl/Sld and W/Wv mice were the bone marrow and kidneys. The average number of colonized bones per mouse in the Sl/Sld group was 5.0 +/- 3.1 (SD), compared with 12.7 +/- 5.3 in the W/Wv group. The average number of metastatic nodules in the kidneys of Sl/Sld mice was 24.6 +/- 9, while W/Wv mice had 15.5 +/- 2.5. Mutant mice with multiple metastatic nodules in the kidneys, heart, and stomach were also found to have forestomach papillomas, an enlarged duodenum, kidney abnormalities, and small body size. The results of this study provide useful information on potential mechanisms of interaction of metastatic cells with their target organs, and suggest that there are additional organ defects associated with the mutations in the Sl and W loci. They also document the importance of mutant mice in metastasis research.

Insulin-like growth factor-I induces cyclin-D1 expression in MG63 human osteosarcoma cells in vitro.

The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) stimulate cell division by modulating events occurring during the prereplicative (G1) phase of the cell cycle, but identification of the critical events has proved difficult. Recent observations suggest that progression through the cell cycle is dependent on the activation of a group of serine-threonine-specific protein kinases whose activities are regulated by accessory proteins, termed cyclins. The identification of cyclin species expressed during G1 has led to the hypothesis that modulation of cyclin expression may be the critical event regulated by growth factors. The present studies were undertaken to determine whether the IGFs regulate the expression of specific G1 cyclins in MG63, a human cell line that is unusually responsive to IGF, and to characterize this effect. We found that in these cells IGF-I stimulates the cyclin-dependent kinases, and that stimulation is associated with an increase in cyclin-D1 mRNA and protein expression. The increase in cyclin-D1 occurs early in G1 and corresponds to the portion of the cell cycle in which IGF acts on these cells. The increase in cyclin-D1 mRNA is due at least in part to an increase in the rate of transcription initiation of the gene. The mRNA levels of cyclin-B1 (a G2 cyclin) and two cyclin-dependent kinases, cdc2 and cdk2, also increased in response to IGF, but at later times. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that IGF modulation of D-type cyclin expression plays a role in the regulation of cell replication.

Evidence for the direct interaction of the insulin-like growth factor I receptor with IRS-1, Shc, and Grb10.

We have used the yeast two-hybrid system to study the interaction between the IGF-I receptor and two putative substrates, IRS-1 and Shc. In addition, we have identified Grb10 as a protein that binds to the insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) receptor. This two-hybrid system (the interaction trap) utilizes a hybrid protein containing the LexA DNA-binding domain fused to the intracellular portion of the IGF-I receptor (LexA-IGFIR beta) and hybrids containing an activation domain fused to either IRS-1 (Ad-IRS-1), Shc (Ad-Shc), or a cDNA library. A positive interaction of LexA-IGFIR beta with the activation domain hybrid results in activation of reporter genes, LacZ and LEU2, in the yeast. Western blotting of extracts from transformed yeast demonstrated that the LexA-IGFIR beta fusion protein was expressed and phosphorylated on tyrosine residues. Coexpression of LexA-IGFIR beta with Ad-IRS-1 resulted in strong activation of both reporter genes; activation did not occur with a kinase-negative receptor mutant. IRS-1 residues 160-516 were sufficient for this strong interaction. Coexpression of LexA-IGFIR beta with Ad-Shc also resulted in strong activation of both LacZ and LEU2 reporter genes. This interaction was also dependent upon a tyrosine kinase-active receptor and required tyrosine 950 in the juxtamembrane region of the receptor. An N-terminal fragment of Shc (amino acids 1-232) interacted almost as strongly as full-length Shc whereas the Shc SH2 domain only activated the more sensitive LEU2 reporter. Full-length Shc was phosphorylated on tyrosine when coexpressed with IGFIR beta but not when coexpressed with the kinase-negative receptor mutant. To identify additional proteins that interact with the IGFIRs, a human fetal brain cDNA library was screened using the interaction trap system. This analysis identified partial cDNAs for Grb10. Coexpression of LexA-IGFIR beta with Ad-Grb10 resulted in strong activation of both LacZ and LEU2 reporter genes; this interaction was dependent upon a tyrosine kinase-active receptor but did not require tyrosine 950.

Metabolism of photoaffinity-labeled insulin-like growth factor-I receptors by human cells in vitro.

These studies were undertaken to characterize the physiological fate of the insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I)-type I receptor complex in MG-63, an IGF-responsive human osteosarcoma cell line. To investigate this, a photoreactive iodinated derivative of IGF-I [5-azido-2-nitrobenzoyl-125I-IGF-I (ANBz-125I-IGF-I)] was synthesized. This derivative retained biological activity and photolabeled a cell surface component on MG-63 cells with the size and binding specificity characteristic of the type I IGF receptor. To assess the stability of the photoaffinity-labeled IGF-I receptor complex, quiescent monolayers of MG-63 cells were incubated with ANBz-125I-IGF-I at 2 C, photolyzed, and then warmed to 37 C. At various times the monolayers were solubilized and the receptor complex was identified by quantitative autoradiography after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Under these conditions the photoaffinity-labeled IGF-I receptor complex was relatively stable, with a half-life of 11 +/- 2 h in five experiments. To determine if the complex undergoes internalization, its susceptibility to hydrolysis by trypsin at 2 C was measured. When cells that were labeled at 2 C were warmed to 37 C, a trypsin-insensitive band appeared within 20 min, reached a maximum by 1 h, and declined thereafter; however, an average of only 7% (5-8% in four experiments) of the total labeled receptor pool was present intracellularly at 1 h, and this declined to less than 1% by 4 h. A similar distribution of receptors was observed in cells photolabeled after incubation with ANBz-125I-IGF-I at 37 C, indicating that this distribution was not the result of altered metabolism of the photolabeled receptor complex. Lysosomotropic agents inhibited degradation of the complex, but did not alter its distribution between the cell surface and interior. These results indicated that the IGF-I-type I receptor complex is relatively stable and does not undergo rapid ligand-induced down-regulation and degradation. These observations suggest a model in which the IGF-receptor complex functions while present at or near the cell surface.

Receptor-mediated endocytosis and lysosomal processing of insulin-like growth factor I by mitogenically responsive cells.

The processing of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) by MG-63, an IGF-I-responsive human osteosarcoma cell line, has been investigated. At 37 C, the binding of [125I] IGF-I to monolayers of MG-63 cells reaches a maximum after about 1 h and slowly declines thereafter. The addition of the lysosomotropic agents methylamine, chloroquine, and monensin to the binding medium prevents the decline in [125I]IGF-I binding observed in the untreated cells and causes a 1.5- to 3-fold increase in cell-associated radioactivity after 4 h. Leupeptin, an inhibitor of lysosomal proteases, and colchicine, an inhibitor of endosomal transport, also increase cell-associated [125I]IGF-I. Three observations indicate that the increased radioactivity associated with the treated cells is the result of intracellular accumulation of the ligands and not the result of an increase in cell surface IGF binding. First, no increase in [125I]IGF-I binding is observed in cells preincubated with methylamine at 37 C but transferred to 4 C (where endocytosis is inhibited) before the addition of the radiolabeled ligands. Second, the increased radioactivity bound by methylamine-treated cells is not removed by washing the cells with dilute acid, a treatment that removes surface-bound [125I]IGF-I. Third, in leupeptin-treated cells [125I]IGF-I accumulates in a subcellular fraction with properties characteristic of lysosomes. Both alpha IR-3 (100 nM), an antibody that specifically inhibits binding to the type I IGF receptor, and high concentrations of insulin (900 nM) inhibit the accumulation of [125I]IGF-I by methylamine-treated cells, indicating that internalization of IGF-I occurs through the type I IGF receptor and not through the type II IGF receptor or the IGF-binding protein(s) that is also present on these cells. These results demonstrate that in MG-63 cells IGF-I is endocytosed via the type I IGF receptor and that the endocytosed hormone is degraded, at least in part, in lysosomes. These findings are similar to those described for the processing of insulin and other growth factors by their target cells and extend further the homology between IGF-I and these other agents.

Trophic actions of human somatomedin C/insulin-like growth factor I on ovarian cells: in vitro studies with swine granulosa cells.

We have investigated the responsiveness of swine granulosa cells to somatomedin C/insulin-like growth factor I (IGF I) under serum-free conditions in vitro. Somatomedin C/IGF I (greater than 80% pure) exerted dose-dependent stimulatory effects on the production of progesterone and its reduced metabolite, 20 alpha-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one. A 50-fold stimulation of progesterone production could be observed after 48-96 h of hormone treatment. These effects were not mimicked by platelet-derived growth factor, epidermal growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, desoctapeptide insulin, or porcine relaxin. The stimulatory action of somatomedin C/IGF I was not attributable to changes in cell protein or DNA content or cell number and reflected enhanced steroidogenesis per se rather than simply release of stored progesterone. In addition, augmented progesterone production was accompanied by increased biosynthesis of its precursor, pregnenolone, measured in the presence of trilostane to block 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. Moreover, somatomedin C/IGF I enhanced progesterone biosynthesis in response to a maximally effective concentration of the soluble sterol substrate for side-chain cleavage, 25-hydroxycholesterol, suggesting that somatomedin C increases the effective activity of the mitochondrial cholesterol side-chain cleavage system. The stimulatory effects of somatomedin C/IGF I were inhibited by cycloheximide and actinomycin D, indicating that protein and RNA synthesis are required for the full expression of somatomedin C's differentiative effects. The physiological importance of such trophic actions was suggested by the capacity of nanomolar concentrations of somatomedin C/IGF I to augment progesterone production further in the presence of maximally stimulating concentrations of 8-bromo-cAMP or estradiol. In addition, equilibrium competition curves and saturation analysis of [125I]somatomedin C/IGF I binding revealed high affinity [dissociation constant (Kd) approximately 0.69 nM], low capacity (0.57 pmol somatomedin C bound/mg DNA) receptor sites on swine granulosa cells. [125I]Somatomedin C/IGF I binding was highly specific in that multiplication stimulating activity, porcine insulin, desoctapeptide insulin, and insulin-receptor antisera competed only sparingly for these binding sites. In summary, human somatomedin C/IGF I exerts potent and specific differentiative effects on swine granulosa cells cultured under serum-free conditions in vitro.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

The insulin receptor of embryonic chicken cartilage.

Highly purified plasma membranes have been obtained from embryonic chicken cartilage by physical means rather than enzymatic digestion. Rapid and reversible binding of [125I]iodoinsulin to these membranes is demonstrated. Similar to the insulin-binding properties of rat liver and adipocytes and human mononuclear cells, optimal specific binding of insulin to chondrocyte plasma membranes has a sharp pH optimum at 8.0, and maximal binding occurs at 2--4 C. Analysis of equilibrium binding reveals a curvilinear Scatchard plot, whose high affinity segment generates a maximum affinity of 1.0 X 10(9) M-1, and a receptor concentration of 0.4 pmol/mg membrane protein. This affinity constant is similar to those generated for insulin binding to membranes prepared from embryonic chicken liver (2.5 X 10(9) M-1), rat liver (1.4 X 10(9) M-1), and mouse liver (0.6 X 10(9) M-1), whereas the receptor concentration is less than that of embryonic chicken liver membranes (1.1 pmol/mg), which in turn was less than those of rat liver membranes (2.8 pmol/mg) and mouse liver membranes (3.5 pmol/mg). Kinetic studies show augmentation of insulin-receptor dissociation by excess insulin when initial receptor occupancy, is low, suggesting that negative cooperativity is present. There is little or no interaction of other hormones with the chondrocyte insulin receptor, with the exception of proinsulin and the insulin-like growth factors. Porcine proinsulin, bovine proinsulin, somatomedin C, and nonsuppressible insulin-like protein prevent [125I]iodoinsulin binding to chondrocyte plasma membranes with dose-response curves which are parallel to that of unlabeled porcine insulin itself, but with molar potencies relative to porcine insulin of 15%, 9%, 2.5%, and 1.4%, respectively. Porcine insulin and proinsulin both prevent binding of [125I]iodosomatomedin C to chondrocyte plasma membranes but with molar potencies less than 1% that of unlabeled somatomedin C. These observations are consistent with the presence of a specific independent insulin receptor in embryonic chicken cartilage which is similar in its characteristics to the insulin receptor in previously described tissues. Insulin has a weak interaction with the chondrocyte receptor for somatomedin C. Interaction with the somatomedin receptor may be the mechanism by which insulin exerts anabolic effects on cartilage when used in pharmacological amounts.

Synergistic actions of estradiol and the insulin-like growth factor somatomedin-C on swine ovarian (granulosa) cells.

Estradiol amplified synergistically the dose- and time-dependent stimulatory actions of human somatomedin-C on progesterone biosynthesis by cultured swine granulosa cells. This facilitative interaction was not attributable to inhibition of the catabolism of progesterone to 20 alpha-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one, but, rather, reflected time-dependent stimulation of pregnenolone synthesis measured in the presence of exogenous soluble sterol substrate for cholesterol side-chain cleavage. Moreover, treatment with somatomedin-C was accompanied by increased synthesis of two immunoprecipitable cholesterol side-chain cleavage constituents, viz. cytochrome P-450scc and adrenodoxin. The synergism between estradiol and somatomedin-C was associated with significantly greater specific binding of somatomedin-C in estrogen-treated than control cultures, with no change in apparent receptor affinity. In vitro synergism occurred at somatomedin-C concentrations estimated by sequence-specific immunoassay to be attainable in ovarian follicular fluid in vivo and was specific in that it was not mimicked by the insulin-like peptide relaxin or by epidermal growth factor or fibroblast growth factor. However, high concentrations of insulin-like growth factor II (multiplication-stimulating activity) and insulin were able to interact with estradiol in a facilitative fashion to enhance progesterone production. In addition, the estrogenic component of the synergism was specific, since it was antagonized by the selective antiestrogen LY156758 and was mimicked sparingly by the nonaromatizable androgen 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone. We conclude that estradiol and somatomedin-C interact synergistically in a time- and dose-dependent manner to enhance the biosynthesis of pregnenolone and progesterone by swine granulosa cells. Since estradiol and somatomedins are present in significant concentrations in the antral fluids of maturing Graafian follicles, we suggest that coordinated trophic effects of estradiol and insulin-like growth factor(s) may effectively prepare granulosa cells for the high rates of progesterone biosynthesis ultimately required after ovulation.

A monoclonal antibody to the type 1 insulin-like growth factor and insulin receptors stimulates deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis in human and murine fibroblasts.

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and insulin are polypeptide hormones that stimulate their cellular responses by binding to specific cell membrane receptors. These receptors, while chemically distinct, have similar structural and functional characteristics. This manuscript describes the production and characterization of a monoclonal antibody that binds to both type I IGF and insulin receptors. This antibody did not inhibit hormone binding to either receptor type, but stimulated DNA synthesis in both human and murine fibroblasts. Ten BALB/c-BYJ mice were immunized with human placental membrane fragments, and their splenic lymphocytes were fused with SP2 AG0 mouse myeloma cells. Of approximately 3000 hybridoma clones thus obtained, 1 viable clone, designated V3,8 D7, was found to produce an antibody directed against the type I IGF receptor. Solubilized radiolabeled placental membranes immunoprecipitated with affinity-purified antibody and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions revealed bands with relative molecular masses corresponding to the nonreduced intact receptor (approximately 350 x 10(3], the alpha-subunit (130-140 x 10(3], and the beta-subunit (90 x 10(3] of the type I IGF receptor. Clonal supernatant and affinity-purified antibody precipitated solubilized receptors affinity labeled with [125I]IGF-I. Antibody V3,8 D7 also precipitated solubilized placental membranes affinity labeled with [125I]insulin. However, solubilized receptors affinity purified by the monoclonal antibody bound IGF-I much better than insulin, suggesting that this antibody has a higher affinity for the type I IGF receptor than for the insulin receptor. Affinity-purified antibody did not inhibit the binding of IGF-I or insulin to receptors on human placental membranes, suggesting that it is directed against a site on the type I IGF and insulin receptor not involved in hormone binding. However, affinity-purified monoclonal antibody stimulated DNA synthesis in human GM 498 and murine BALB/c-3T3 clone A 31 fibroblasts, as determined by [3H]thymidine incorporation. The combination of IGF-I and affinity-purified antibody did not increase thymidine incorporation above levels observed with either substrate alone, suggesting that these factors may be operating through a common mechanism. These results suggest that antibody V3,8 D7 can stimulate receptor responses by binding to a site on the type I IGF and/or insulin receptors that is not involved in hormone binding. These data support the concept that hormone receptors themselves possess the biological information required for stimulating specific cellular responses.

Cyclic nucleotides and somatomedin action in cartilage.

The role of cyclic nucleotides was evaluated in the stimulation of cartilage metabolism by somatomedin-C (Sm-C). The effects of cAMP and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) analogs on matrix synthesis were evaluated. The effects of Sm-C on tissue concentrations of these cyclic nucleotides were investigated. Likewise, the direct effects of Sm-C on the activities of cartilage adenylate cyclase, guanylate cyclase, and phosphodiesterase were determined. We found that tissue concentrations of cAMP in cartilage declined rapidly during organ culture, despite the presence of serum or Sm-C, cGMP concentrations in cartilage declined rapidly during control incubations but were augmented significantly at 30 and 60 min of incubation with the addition of serum or Sm-C. Thereafter, cGMP concentrations declined toward the levels of incubated control cartilages. Sm-C had no effect on phosphodiesterase activity. N6-Monobutyryl cAMP stimulated sulfate uptake, but dibutyryl cGMP did not. Sm-C did not stimulate adenylate cyclase in purified plasma membranes from chondrocytes, whereas it stimulated both plasma membrane and cytosol guanylate cyclase at concentrations of Sm-C as low as 10(-12) M. These data would indicate that cAMP is not the intracellular second messenger for Sm-C in cartilage. The data for cGMP are provocative and suggest it as a candidate for a second messenger mediating a portion of Sm's stimulation of cartilage metabolism.

Ovine placental lactogen induces somatomedin: a a possible role in fetal growth.

Ovine placental lactogen (oPL) and bovine growth hormone (bGH) increase the circulating concentration of somatomedin in hypophysectomized rats. This finding indicates that some of the somatotropic properties of oPL may be due to the induction of somatomedin and raises the possibility that oPL has a role in the control of fetal growth.

Pitfalls in the somatomedin-C radioimmunoassay.

We have investigated the effects of various modifications on the quantitation of Somatomedin-C (Sm-C) by the Sm-C radio immunoassay. We have confirmed that the assay quantitatively measures Sm-C in serum at plasma samples when borosilicate tubes and protamine free buffers are used. Polystyrene tubes and/or protamine containing buffers interfere with the quantitative measurement of the hormone, apparently by modifying the binding of Sm-C to its binding protein. The implication of these modifications on the clinical use of the Sm-C RIA are discussed.

The type II insulin-like growth factor receptor does not mediate deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis in human fibroblasts.

Two insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptors, the type I and type II IGF receptors, have been described. While substantial evidence indicates that the type I receptor is involved in the regulation of cell division, it is uncertain if the type II receptor also mediates this response. Similarly, the role of the insulin receptor in mediating DNA synthesis remains controversial. To address these questions, we used a monoclonal antibody (alpha IR-3) to specifically inhibit type I IGF receptor activity and examined the effects of this inhibition on IGF- and insulin-stimulated DNA synthesis in human fibroblasts. WI-38 human embryonic lung fibroblasts have both type I and type II IGF receptors, as determined by cross-linking [125I] IGF-I and [125I]IGF-II to monolayers of these cells. In serum-free medium both IGF-I and IGF-II stimulate DNA synthesis in WI-38 fibroblasts, with half-maximal effects occurring at 1.5 +/- 0.3 (+/- SD) and 3.4 +/- 1.4 nM, respectively. At maximally effective concentrations, however, both hormones stimulate DNA synthesis to equal levels. alpha IR-3 binds to the type I, but not the type II, IGF receptor on WI-38 cells. It also inhibits IGF binding to the type I receptor on these cells. alpha IR-3 competitively inhibited both IGF-I- and IGF-II-stimulated DNA synthesis in WI-38 cells, but had no effect on either epidermal growth factor- or platelet-derived growth factor-stimulated DNA synthesis. These results indicate that in WI-38 fibroblasts the mitogenic effects of both IGF-I and IGF-II are mediated through the type I receptor and that the type II IGF receptor is not directly involved in this response. To define the role of the insulin receptor in mediating DNA synthesis we compared the effects of alpha IR-3 on insulin-stimulated DNA synthesis in a variety of human cell lines under identical experimental conditions. With WI-38 and HEL, another human embryonic lung fibroblast cell line, alpha IR-3 competitively inhibited the mitogenic effect of insulin. However, in two other fibroblast cell lines (GM498 and HES) and an osteogenic sarcoma cell line (MG63), alpha IR-3 inhibited IGF, but not insulin-stimulated DNA synthesis. These results indicate that human cell lines differ in the receptor type through which insulin stimulates DNA synthesis and that these differences are intrinsic properties of the cell lines and are not artifacts resulting from differences in experimental conditions.

The effect of sex steroids on radioimmunoassayable plasma somatomedin C concentrations.

While the effect of sex steroids on growth is well known, their effects on somatomedin C, a mediator of growth, are unclear. To investigate the effect of sex steroids on somatomedin C (Sm-C) concentrations, Sm-C was measured in adults receiving pharmacological doses of various sex steroids (estrogens, testosterone, and medroxyprogesterone acetate). Testosterone therapy had no effect on the somatomedin C concentration. Although both estrogen and medroxyprogesterone acetate therapy reduced the plasma testosterone concentration into the normal female range, they had different effects on Sm-C concentrations. Estrogen therapy produced no detectable change in the Sm-C concentration; medroxyprogesterone acetate caused an increase in the plasma somatomedin C concentration (P less than 0.001). Since medroxyprogesterone acetate also does not increase the serum GH concentration, other mechanisms by which medroxyprogesterone acetate stimulates Sm-C production are discussed.

Size discrepancy between somatomedin-C and insulin receptors.

Somatomedin-C (Sm-C) and insulin receptors have similar size and structure. Each receptor is a heterotetramer composed two alpha- and two beta-subunits. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel autoradiographic studies of affinity labeled receptor preparations demonstrated that each has a whole receptor of greater than 350,000 daltons, a half-receptor of 220,000 daltons, and binding subunit (alpha-subunit) of about 140,000 daltons. Using SDS-polyacrylamide disc gels and double labeling techniques, we demonstrated that the 125I affinity labeled alpha-subunit of the Sm-C receptor from human placenta was 8,000 daltons smaller than the 131I affinity labeled insulin receptor alpha-subunit. Further double label studies demonstrated that [125I]insulin and [131I]insulin cross-linked to placental insulin receptors precisely comigrated on SDS-disc gels, indicating that the difference between insulin and Sm-C alpha-subunits is not an artifact of the system. The difference in ligand size (Sm-C, 7,500 daltons; insulin, 5,700 daltons) would minimize the observed difference and is clearly not the cause of the difference in size observed. These studies provide further evidence in support of two functionally and physically distinct receptor molecules for insulin and Sm-C in human placenta.