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B Desbuquois

Publications and source records attributed to B Desbuquois.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Endosome-lysosome transfer of insulin and glucagon in a liver cell-free system.

The endosome-lysosome transfer of in vivo internalized insulin and glucagon has been studied in a rat liver cell-free system and compared to that of galactosylated bovine serum albumin (GalBSA), a ligand of the asialoglycoprotein receptor. Density-gradient analysis of a postmitochondrial supernatant isolated 8 min after injection of [125I]iodoinsulin showed that the membrane-associated radioactivity (55% of the total) migrated as a single peak at the position of galactosyltransferase, a Golgi marker (1.08-1.10 g/ml). After incubation at 37 degrees C in the presence of ATP, an additional peak of radioactivity (12%) was detected at the position of acid phosphatase, a lysosomal marker (1.12-1.14 g/ml). No such peak was observed in a lysosome-depleted fraction. An ATP-dependent conversion of [125I]iodoinsulin to trichloroacetic-acid-soluble products occurred during incubation (20%) but this was unaffected by lysosome depletion. Gel-filtration and HPLC analysis of acid extracts of gradient fractions isolated after injection of [125I]iodoinsulins selectively labeled at tyrosine residues A14 or B26 revealed the presence of components which differed from intact iodoinsulins by size and/or hydrophobicity. Low molecular-mass components were less abundant and, conversely, intact iodoinsulin and/or high molecular-mass components more abundant in lysosomal fractions than in endosomal fractions. In vivo internalized [125I]iodoglucagon and [125I]iodogalBSA underwent a greater lysosomal transfer (17-21%) and lesser degradation (8-11%) than [125I]iodoinsulin. Glycyl-L-phenylalanine 2-naphtylamide and methionine O-methyl ester, two lysosome-disrupting enzyme substrates, partially released the radioactivity associated with lysosomal fractions (GalBSA > insulin = glucagon) but caused little or no release of that associated with endosomal fractions. Analysis of the alpha and beta subunits of the insulin receptor by cross-linking to [125I]iodoinsulin and Western immunoblotting, respectively, revealed a partial lysosomal transfer of these subunits during endosome-lysosome interaction. We conclude that an endosome-lysosome transfer of insulin and glucagon occurs in a liver cell-free system and suggest that the low recovery of these peptides in lysosomal fractions in vivo results from their rapid degradation within endosomes.

Animals

Familial hyperproinsulinaemia due to a mutation substituting histidine for arginine at position 65 in proinsulin: identification of the mutation by restriction enzyme mapping.

UNLABELLED: Familial hyperproinsulinaemia is a rare genetic disorder characterized by point mutations in the insulin gene which impair the conversion of proinsulin to insulin. We report here three members of a two-generation Caucasian family in whom this syndrome was identified by unexplained hyperinsulinism associated with normal glucose tolerance and normal insulin sensitivity. Plasma insulin immunoreactivity showed a reduced affinity for the insulin receptor and eluted mainly, on Biogel chromatography, at the position of proinsulin. Analysis of the PCR-amplified insulin gene by restriction enzyme mapping revealed a new recognition site for the enzyme Nla III, indicating a Arg65 to His mutation. Sequence analysis of exon 3 confirmed this mutation in one allele of the gene. CONCLUSION: This study reports a two-generation European-Caucasian family with hyperproinsulinaemia due to a substitution of His for Arg at position 65 in proinsulin, the seventh now identified worldwide and the second from Europe. The mutation generated a new restriction site on the insulin gene suggesting the usefulness of restriction enzyme mapping as a screening procedure.

Adult

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.

Animals

Expression of the hepatic insulin receptor gene in the rat during postnatal development.

Changes in the expression of the liver insulin receptor are known to occur in the rat during postnatal development. To assess whether such changes occur at the level of gene expression, steady-state levels of insulin receptor mRNA and transcription rates of the receptor gene have been measured in livers of rats from birth (1 day) to adulthood (60 days). Northern blot analysis of liver RNA revealed two major insulin receptor mRNA species of 9.5 and 7.5 kb. When normalized to beta actin mRNA, insulin receptor mRNA levels increased 4-fold between 1 and 15 days, remained stable between 15 and 30 days, and decreased 2-fold between 30 and 60 days. These changes were fully suppressed by in vivo treatment with actinomycin D, an inhibitor of gene transcription. In vitro nuclear transcription assays showed that the rate of transcription of the insulin receptor gene increased 2-fold between 1 and 30 days. Insulin receptor concentration in liver membrane fractions did not exactly parallel insulin receptor mRNA levels since it increased by 20-30% from 1 to 10 days and decreased 2-fold from 10 to 60 days. During the suckling-weaning transition, insulin receptor mRNA level decreased 2-fold in rats weaned onto a high carbohydrate diet but remained unchanged in rats weaned onto a high fat diet. Throughout postnatal life, an inverse relationship was observed between liver insulin receptor mRNA and plasma insulin levels. These results show that transcriptional changes in insulin receptor gene expression occur postnatally and suggest that such changes may be insulin-related.

Actins

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.

Animals

[Regulation of insulin receptor expression and its gene].

The insulin receptor is a membrane macromolecule whose expression on the cell surface is essential for cell sensitivity to insulin. Current knowledge on the regulation of expression of the insulin receptor and its gene in human and animal cells is presented. Although ubiquitously distributed, the insulin receptor and its messenger RNA (mRNA) are mainly expressed in metabolically active cells such as hepatocytes and adipocytes. Two receptor isoforms, generated by alternative splicing of exon 11, have been identified. Isoform B (exon 11+) predominates in liver and adipocytes, and isoform A (exon 11-) in brain, spleen and leukocytes. In vivo and in several cell models, the expression of the insulin receptor and/or its mRNA is under positive regulation by glucocorticoid hormones and negative regulation by insulin. Glucocorticoid hormones stimulate receptor gene transcription and receptor protein synthesis. Insulin stimulates receptor protein degradation and, in certain cell types, decreases receptor mRNA level. Vanadate (an insulinomimetic agent) corrects, in vivo, the hyperexpression of the liver receptor observed in experimental insulinopenic diabetes, but its effects on receptor expression in vitro are complex and vary with the cell type. In vivo the insulin receptor and/or its mRNA are expressed early in fetal development with a high level, in liver, of isoform A. Maximal expression is reached at the end of gestation and then decreases after birth. In several cell models, receptor protein and/or mRNA expression is affected by cell growth and/or differentiation. Several cis- and trans-acting factors regulating the expression of the human insulin receptor gene and its response to glucocorticoid hormones have been identified.

Animals

Uptake of injected 125I-ricin by rat liver in vivo. Subcellular distribution and characterization of the internalized ligand.

Subcellular-fractionation techniques were used to characterize the endocytic pathway followed by ricin in rat liver in vivo and tentatively identify the site(s) at which the ricin interchain disulphide bridge is split. After injection of 125I-ricin, hepatic uptake of radioactivity was maximum at 30 min (40% of injected dose). At 5 min, about 80% of the radioactivity in the homogenate was recovered in the microsomal (P) fraction, but later on the recovery of the radioactivity in the mitochondrial-lysosomal (ML) fractions progressively increased (50% at 30 min) at the expense of that in the P fraction. Subfractionation of the P and ML fractions on analytical sucrose-density gradients revealed a time-dependent translocation of the radioactivity from low- to high-density endocytic structures, with median relative densities at 5 and 60 min of about 1.15 and 1.16 (P fraction) and 1.19 and 1.22 (ML fraction) respectively. The late distribution of the radioactivity in the ML fraction was similar to that of the lysosomal marker acid phosphatase. Studies with co-injected lactose and mannan showed that ricin was internalized mainly via the mannose receptor. In the presence of mannan, the late recovery of radioactivity in the ML fraction was decreased, and the distribution of the radioactivity associated with the P fraction was shifted toward lower densities (median relative density 1.13), indicating a different pathway of endocytosis. Analysis of the radioactivity associated with the ML and S fractions by SDS/PAGE revealed a time-dependent increase in the amount of intact A- and B-chains and low-molecular-mass products. When ML fractions containing partially processed ricin were incubated at 37 degrees C at pH 5 or at pH 7.2 in the presence of ATP, only low-molecular-mass products were generated. We conclude that internalized ricin associates with endocytic structures whose size and density of equilibration increase with time, and that, although detectable in these structures, reduction of the ricin interchain disulphide bridge occurs to a large extent in the cytosol.

Animals

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.

Adenylyl Cyclases

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.

Analysis of Variance

Role of acidic subcellular compartments in the degradation of internalized insulin and in the recycling of the internalized insulin receptor in liver cells: in vivo and in vitro studies.

Upon interaction with liver cells, insulin is internalized along with its receptor into nonlysosomal endocytic structures termed endosomes. In this work, the biochemical evidence supporting the role of endosomal acidity in the degradation of internalized insulin and in the recycling of the internalized insulin receptor is described. Treatment of rats by chloroquine and/or quinacrine, two acidotropic drugs, increases by 5-10 fold the amount of endogenous insulin associated with endosomal fractions and, in rats injected by 125I-labeled or native insulin, the endosomal uptake of these ligands at late times after injection. With 125I-insulin, these drugs inhibit the degradation of internalized hormone as judged on physical, biological and immunological criteria. Chloroquine and quinacrine treatment also increases the insulin receptor content of endosomal fractions and, in rats injected by native insulin, the ligand-induced accumulation of receptors in endosomal fractions at late times after injection. Subfractionation of endosomal fractions on Percoll gradients shows that chloroquine treatment shifts the distribution of both insulin and the insulin receptor towards higher densities, the receptor shift being slightly more pronounced in insulin-injected rats. Incubation of isolated endosomes containing internalized insulin at 30-37 degrees C results in a rapid degradation of this ligand, with a maximal at pH 5-6. Addition of ATP, by decreasing the endosomal pH, stimulates insulin degradation above pH 7, whereas addition of chloroquine and quinacrine, by elevating endosomal pH, exerts opposite effects. These data indicate that endosomal acidity is required for optimum degradation of internalized insulin within endosomes and recycling of the internalized receptor.

Animals

Degradation of glucagon in isolated liver endosomes. ATP-dependence and partial characterization of degradation products.

Endosomes have recently been identified as one major site of glucagon degradation in intact rat liver. In this study, a cell-free system has been used to assess the role of ATP-dependent acidification in endosomal glucagon degradation and identify the glucagon products generated. Percoll gradient fractionation of Golgi-endosomal fractions prepared 10-30 min after injection of [125I]iodoglucagon showed a time-dependent shift of the radioactivity towards high densities. Regardless of time, the radioactivity was less precipitable by trichloroacetic acid (Cl3Ac) at high densities than at low densities. Chloroquine treatment slightly increased the density shift of the radioactivity and decreased its Cl3Ac-precipitability throughout the gradient. Incubation of endosomal fractions containing [125I]iodoglucagon in 0.15 M-KCl at 30 degrees C resulted in a time- and pH-dependent generation of Cl3Ac-soluble radioactivity, with a maximum at pH 4 (t1/2, 7 min). At pH 5, 1,10-phenanthroline, bacitracin and p-chloromercuribenzoic acid partially inhibited [125I]iodoglucagon degradation. At pH 6-7, ATP stimulated [125I]iodoglucagon degradation by 5-10-fold and caused endosomal acidification as judged from Acridine Orange uptake. The effects of ATP were inhibited by chloroquine, monensin, N-ethylmaleimide and dansylcadaverine. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) precipitation of the radioactivity associated with endosomes showed that lowering the pH below 5.5 caused dissociation of the glucagon-receptor complex, and that, regardless of incubation conditions, all degraded [125I]iodoglucagon diffused extraluminally. On h.p.l.c., at least three products less hydrophobic than [125I]iodoglucagon were identified in incubation mixtures along with monoiodotyrosine. Radiosequence analysis of the products revealed one major cleavage located C-terminally to Tyr-13 and two minor cleavages affecting Thr-5-Phe-6 and Phe-6-Thr-7 bonds. It is concluded that glucagon degradation in liver endosomes is functionally linked to ATP-dependent endosomal acidification and involves several cleavages in the glucagon sequence.

Adenosine Triphosphate

Activation of rat liver adenylate cyclase by cholera toxin requires toxin internalization and processing in endosomes.

Involvement of acidic cell compartments in processing and action of cholera toxin (CT) in rat liver has been examined using subcellular fractionation. Liver cell fractions prepared various times after CT injection display, after a lag phase, a progressive increase in adenylate cyclase activity, detectable earlier in Golgi-endosomal fractions (20 min) than in plasma membrane fractions (30 min), with a maximum (3-fold basal activity) achieved by 60-90 min. Endosomes containing in vivo internalized CT display a time-dependent increase in their ability to bind anti-A-subunit antibodies and to stimulate exogenous adenylate cyclase, which kinetically parallels the generation of A1 peptide, suggesting a translocation of A-subunit (or A1 peptide) across the endosomal membrane. In vivo chloroquine treatment inhibits endocytosis of CT taken up into the liver, lengthens the lag phase for adenylate cyclase activation by CT, and reduces by 3- to 10-fold the apparent affinity of the toxin for the enzyme. Incubation of endosomes containing internalized toxin at 37 degrees C under isotonic conditions results in a pH-dependent increase in generation of A1 peptide, membrane translocation of A-subunit (or A1 peptide), and degradation of toxin, with a maximum at pH 5. Addition of ATP, by decreasing the internal endosomal pH, stimulates both generation of the A1 peptide and degradation of toxin at pH 6-8. It is concluded that activation of adenylate cyclase by CT in intact liver requires association and subsequent processing of toxin in an acidic cell compartment, presumably endosomal.

Adenosine Triphosphate

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.

5'-Nucleotidase

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.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases

Fate of injected glucagon taken up by rat liver in vivo. Degradation of internalized ligand in the endosomal compartment.

The uptake and processing of glucagon into liver endosomes were studied in vivo by subcellular fractionation. After injection of [[125I]iodo-Tyr10]glucagon and [[125I]iodo-Tyr13]glucagon to rats, the uptake of radioactivity into the liver was maximum at 2 min (6% of the dose/g of tissue). On differential centrifugation, the radioactivity in the homogenate was recovered mainly in the nuclear (N), microsomal (P) and supernatant (S) fractions, with maxima at 5, 10 and 40 min, respectively; recovery of radioactivity in the mitochondrial-lysosomal (ML) fraction did not exceed 6% and was maximal at 20 min. On density-gradient centrifugation, the radioactivity associated first (2-10 min) with plasma membranes and then (10-40 min) with Golgi-endosomal (GE) fractions, with 2-5-fold and 20-150-fold enrichments respectively. Subfractionation of the GE fractions showed that, unlike the Golgi marker galactosyltransferase, the radioactivity was density-shifted by diaminobenzidine cytochemistry. Subfractionation of the ML fraction isolated at 40 min showed that more than half of the radioactivity was recovered at lower densities than the lysosomal marker acid phosphatase. Throughout the time of study, the [125I]iodoglucagon associated with the P, PM and GE fractions remained at least 80-90% trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-precipitable, whereas that associated with other fractions, especially the S fraction, became progressively TCA-soluble. On gel filtration and h.p.l.c., the small amount of degraded [125I]iodoglucagon associated with GE fractions was found to consist of monoiodotyrosine. Chloroquine treatment of [125I]iodoglucagon-injected rats caused a moderate but significant increase in the late recovery of radioactivity in the ML, P and GE fractions, but had little effect on the association of the ML radioactivity with acid-phosphatase-containing structures. Chloroquine treatment also led to a paradoxical decrease in the TCA-precipitability of the radioactivity associated with the P and GE fractions. Upon h.p.l.c. analysis of GE extracts of chloroquine-treated rats, at least four degradation products less hydrophobic than intact [125I]iodoglucagon were identified. Radio-sequence analysis of four of these products revealed three cleavages, affecting bonds Ser2-Gln3, Thr5-Phe6 and Phe6-Thr7. When GE fractions containing internalized [125I]iodoglucagon were incubated in iso-osmotic KCl at 30 degrees C, a rapid generation of TCA-soluble products was observed, with a maximum at pH 4. We conclude that endosomes are a major site at which internalized glucagon is degraded, endosomal acidification being required for optimum degradation.

Animals

Degradation of insulin in isolated liver endosomes is functionally linked to ATP-dependent endosomal acidification.

The degradation of insulin in isolated liver endosomes and the relationships of this process with ATP-dependent endosomal acidification have been studied. Incubation of endosomal fractions containing 125I-insulin in isotonic KCl at 30 degrees C resulted in a rapid loss of insulin integrity as judged from trichloroacetic acid precipitability, Sephadex G-50 chromatography, immunoreactivity and receptor binding ability, with a maximum at pH 5-6 (t1/2: 10, 10, 6 and 6 min, respectively). On a log/log plot, the amount of acid-soluble products generated was linearly related to the amount of insulin associated with endosomes (slope, 0.80). Upon incubation, virtually all acid-soluble products diffused out of endosomes as judged from their solubility in aqueous poly(ethyleneglycol). In permeabilized endosomes, intact insulin was also released in part extraluminally, but only when degradation was inhibited did this release increase with lowering pH. ATP shifted the pH for maximal insulin degradation to about 7.5-8.5 and caused endosomal acidification as judged from the uptake of acridine orange and the fluorescence of internalized fluorescein-labeled dextran and galactosylated bovine serum albumin (delta pH about 0.8-0.9). GTP, ITP and UTP exerted comparable effects but with lower potencies. The ability of ATP to alter the pH dependence of insulin degradation was maximal in the presence of Cl-, other anions being less effective (Br- greater than gluconate = SO4(2-) greater than NO3- = sucrose = mannitol) and/or inhibitory (NO3-). Na+, K+ and Li+ supported more effectively ATP-dependent insulin degradation than did choline. Divalent cations were required for the ATP effect (Mg2+ = Mn2+ greater than Co2+ greater than Ni2+ = Zn2 greater than Ca2+). Little or no effects of ATP occurred in the presence of proton ionophores such as monensin and carbonyl cyanide chlorophenylhydrazone, and inhibitors of the proton ATPase such as N-ethylmaleimide. The abilities of nucleotides, ions and inhibitors to support or inhibit ATP-dependent insulin degradation were well correlated with their abilities to affect ATP-dependent acidification. The acidotropic agents chloroquine and quinacrine caused a leftward shift in the pH dependence of insulin degradation and a decrease in maximal degradation; in the presence of ATP, chloroquine almost completely inhibited degradation at pH 5-9. It is concluded that ATP-dependent acidification, in part by enhancing the dissociation of the insulin-receptor complex, is required for optimum degradation of insulin within liver endosomes.

Adenosine Triphosphatases

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.

Animals