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Biomedical subjects

B I Posner

Publications and source records attributed to B I Posner.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Activation of HIV-1 long terminal repeat transcription and virus replication via NF-kappaB-dependent and -independent pathways by potent phosphotyrosine phosphatase inhibitors, the peroxovanadium compounds.

Replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is increased by different cytokines and T cell activators, also known to modulate tyrosine phosphorylation levels. A novel class of protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) inhibitors, peroxovanadium (pV) compounds, were tested for a putative effect on HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR) activity. We found that these PTP inhibitors markedly enhanced HIV-1 LTR activity in 1G5 cells, a stably transfected cell line that harbors an HIV-1 LTR-driven luciferase construct. A direct correlation between the extent of tyrosine phosphorylation and the level of HIV-1 LTR inducibility was seen after treatment with three different pV compounds. Transient transfection experiments were carried out in several T cell lines, and after addition of pV, a marked increase in HIV-1 LTR activity was measured. Monocytoid cells were tested using U937-derived cell lines and were also found to be sensitive to the pV-mediated potentiating effect on HIV-1 LTR activity. A significant reduction of the pV-mediated increase in HIV-1 LTR activity was seen in cells transiently transfected with an HIV-1 LTR-driven luciferase construct bearing a mutation in both NF-kappaB binding sites although detectable levels of induction remained. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays allowed the identification of the nuclear translocation of the NF-kappaB p50.p65 heterodimer complex induced by pV compounds. A dominant negative version of the repressor IkappaBalpha mutated on serines 32 and 36 impeded pV-induced NF-kappaB-dependent luciferase activity. Western blot analysis showed a clear diminution in the protein level of IkappaBalpha starting 30 min after pV treatment of Jurkat E6.1 cells which is indicative of its degradation. On the other hand, no increase in tyrosine phosphorylation was observed on IkappaBalpha itself. Finally, we tested the PTP inhibitors on four cell lines latently infected with HIV-1 and showed a consistent pV-mediated increase in virion production. Thus, our studies suggest that pV-mediated activation of HIV-1 LTR activity is controlled by the nuclear translocation of the NF-kappaB transcription factor, which is mediated by IkappaBalpha serine phosphorylation and degradation, but also by a still undefined NF-kappaB-independent pathway.

Cell Line↗

Phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase and p70s6k are required for insulin but not bisperoxovanadium 1,10-phenanthroline (bpV(phen)) inhibition of insulin-like growth factor binding protein gene expression. Evidence for MEK-independent activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase by bpV(phen).

The hormonal regulation of insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-1 and -4 mRNA was compared in serum-free primary rat hepatocyte cultures. The combination of dexamethasone and glucagon (Dex/Gluc) strongly increased IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-4 mRNA levels. Insulin suppressed Dex/Gluc-stimulated IGFBP-1 but not IGFBP-4 mRNA levels. In contrast, the peroxovanadium compound, bisperoxovanadium 1,10-phenanthroline (bpV(phen)), completely abrogated Dex/Gluc induction of both IGFBP mRNA species. Wortmannin and rapamycin blocked the inhibitory effect of insulin but not that of bpV(phen) on Dex/Gluc-stimulated IGFBP mRNA. Thus, although phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase and p70s6k are necessary for insulin-mediated transcriptional inhibition of the IGFBP-1 gene, a signaling pathway, independent of phosphatidyloinositol 3'-kinase and p70s6k, is activated by bpV(phen) and mediates IGFBP-1 as well as IGFBP-4 mRNA inhibition. Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activity induced by insulin was suppressed to below basal levels in the presence of Dex/Gluc, whereas in response to bpV(phen), MAP kinase activity was high and unaffected by Dex/Gluc, consistent with a role of MAP kinases in bpV(phen)-mediated inhibition of IGFBP mRNA. The specific MAP kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor, PD98059, inhibited insulin but not bpV(phen)-stimulated MAP kinase activity, suggesting that MAP kinases can be activated in a MEK-independent fashion. Peroxovanadium compounds are strong inhibitors of tyrosine phosphatases, which may inhibit specific tyrosine/threonine phosphatases involved in the negative regulation of MAP kinases.

Androstadienes↗

Peroxovanadate and insulin action in adipocytes from NIDDM patients. Evidence against a primary defect in tyrosine phosphorylation.

We studied the effects of insulin and the stable peroxovanadate compound potassium bisperoxopicolinatooxovanadate (bpV(pic)), a potent inhibitor of phosphotyrosine phosphatases, on lipolysis and glucose uptake in subcutaneous adipocytes from 10 male patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and 10 matched non-diabetic control subjects. Lipolysis stimulated by isoprenaline or the cAMP analogue, 8-bromo-cyclic AMP (8-br-cAMP), was reduced by approximately 40% in NIDDM compared to control subjects. In both groups bpV(pic) exerted an antilipolytic effect that was similar to insulin (approximately 50 % inhibition). 14C-U-glucose uptake was dose-dependently increased by bpV(pic) treatment, but this effect and also that of insulin were impaired in NIDDM compared to control (bpV(pic) 1.6-fold vs 2.4-fold and insulin 2.2-fold vs 3.4-fold). Furthermore, low concentrations of bpV(pic) did not affect insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, although tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor beta-subunit was clearly increased by bpV(pic). In conclusion, 1) beta-adrenergic stimulation of lipolysis in vitro is attenuated in NIDDM adipocytes due to post-receptor mechanisms. 2) Both insulin and bpV(pic) decrease lipolysis and enhance glucose uptake in control as well as NIDDM adipocytes. The effect on glucose uptake, but not that on lipolysis, is impaired in NIDDM cells. 3) Peroxovanadate does not improve sensitivity and responsiveness to insulin in NIDDM adipocytes, showing that insulin-resistant glucose uptake in NIDDM is not overcome by phosphotyrosine-phosphatase inhibition and, thus, probably is not caused by impaired tyrosine phosphorylation events alone.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Early signaling events triggered by peroxovanadium [bpV(phen)] are insulin receptor kinase (IRK)-dependent: specificity of inhibition of IRK-associated protein tyrosine phosphatase(s) by bpV(phen).

Peroxovanadiums (pVs) are potent protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) inhibitors with insulin-mimetic properties in vivo and in vitro. We have established the existence of an insulin receptor kinase (IRK)-associated PTP whose inhibition by pVs correlates closely with IRK tyrosine phosphorylation, activation, and downstream signaling. pVs have also been shown to activate various tyrosine kinases (TKs) that could participate in activation of the insulin-signaling pathway. In the present study we have sought to determine whether pV-induced IRK tyrosine phosphorylation requires the intrinsic kinase activity of the IRK, and whether IRK activation is necessary to realize the early steps in the insulin-signaling cascade. To address this we evaluated the effect of a pure pV compound, bis peroxovanadium 1,10-phenanthroline [bpV(phen)], in HTC rat hepatoma cells overexpressing normal (HTC-IR) or kinase-deficient (HTC-M1030) mutant IRKs. We showed that at a dose of 0.1 mM, but not 1 mM, bpV(phen) induced IRK-dependent events. Thus, 0.1 mM bpV(phen) increased tyrosine phosphorylation and IRK activity in HTC-IR but not HTC-M1030 cells. Tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin signal-transducing molecules was promoted in HTC-IR but not HTC-M1030 cells by bpV(phen). The association of p185 and p60 with the src homology-2 (SH2) domains of Syp and the p85-regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase was induced by bpV(phen) in HTC-IR, but not in HTC-M1030 cells, as was insulin receptor substrate-1-associated phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase activity. Thus autophosphorylation and activation of the IRK by bpV(phen) is effected by the IRK itself, and the early events in the insulin- signaling cascade follow from this activation event. This establishes a critical role for PTP(s) in the regulation of IRK activity. bpV(phen) could be distinguished from insulin only in its ability to activate ERK1 in HTC-M1030 cells, thus indicating that this event is IRK independent, consistent with our previous hypothesis that bpV(phen) inhibits a PTP involved in the negative regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases.

Animals↗

Endosomal proteolysis of internalized proteins.

Endosomal proteases have been implicated in the degradation of internalized regulatory peptides involved in the control of metabolic pathways and in the processing of intracellular antigens for cytolytic immune responses. Processing in the endocytic vesicles is regulated by changes in endosomal acidity due to the presence of an ATP-dependent proton pump which modulates protease activity, protein unfolding and receptor-ligand interactions. A limited number of proteases appear to reside in endosomes which do not contain the full complement of active proteases capable of completely degrading all internalized polypeptides. Retention of some acid hydrolases in endosomes is apparently related to their association with undefined endosomal membrane receptors. The limited number of proteases and the pH gradient from neutral to acidic (pH 7 to 5) within endosomes make possible a selective and controlled processing environment in comparison to lysosomes. The full set of endo- and exopeptidases that break down proteins to amino acids are active later in the pathway in lysosomes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effects of peroxovanadate and vanadate on insulin binding, degradation and sensitivity in rat adipocytes.

The effects of vanadate and the stable peroxovanadate compound bpV(pic) on insulin binding and degradation were investigated in rat adipocytes under conditions of ongoing receptor cycling. Both bpV(pic) and vanadate increased 125I-insulin binding to intact cells through an increase in apparent receptor affinity. The maximal effect of bpV(pic) was to increase binding approximately 4-fold (EC50 0.06 +/- 0.01 mM), whereas vanadate increased binding approximately 2-fold (EC50 1.4 +/- 0.2 mM). Removal of cell surface insulin-receptor complexes with trypsin showed that the effects on binding exerted by bpV(pic) and vanadate were due to a similar increase in both cell surface binding and intracellular accumulation of radioactivity. Both bpV(pic) and vanadate inhibited the degradation of 125I-insulin in medium containing 1% bovine serum albumin. The ratio of degraded/intact intracellular 125I-insulin was also markedly reduced by these agents, suggesting that they inhibit intracellular insulin-degrading proteases. Similar to previous findings with vanadate, bpV(pic) stimulated glucose transport and, at low concentrations, enhanced insulin sensitivity. Taken together, these data demonstrate that both bpV(pic) and vanadate inhibit insulin degradation. In addition, they significantly enhance cell surface insulin binding in rat fat cells and this is associated with an improved insulin sensitivity.

3-O-Methylglucose↗

A stable peroxovanadium compound with insulin-like action in human fat cells.

Aqueous solutions of peroxovanadium (pV) compounds are potent insulin-mimics in various types of cell. Since chemical instability is a problem with these agents, we studied the insulin-like action in human fat cells of a stable pV complex, bpV(pic). It enhanced 14C-U-glucose uptake in a dose-dependent manner by approximately twofold which was slightly less than the effect of insulin (approximately threefold). The pV complex did not alter cell-surface insulin binding and submaximal concentrations did not influence cellular sensitivity to insulin action on glucose uptake. The bpV(pic) inhibited the lipolytic effect of isoprenaline to the same extent as insulin; however, when the cGMP-inhibitable low-K(m) phosphodiesterase (cGI-PDE) was blocked with the specific inhibitor OPC 3911, the antilipolytic effect of insulin, but not that of bpV(pic), was completely prevented. Moreover, when lipolysis was stimulated by the non-hydrolysable cAMP analogue N6-monobutyryl cAMP, bpV(pic), in contrast to insulin, maintained an antilipolytic effect. These findings indicate that bpV(pic) exerts its antilipolytic effect not only through cGI-PDE activation, similar to the effect of insulin, but also by means of other mechanisms. The tyrosine kinase activity of insulin receptors from human placenta was not altered by the pV compound itself, whereas bpV(pic) clearly enhanced insulin-stimulated activity. In contrast, in situ tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor beta-subunit as well as that of several other proteins was clearly increased in cells which were treated with bpV(pic), whereas vanadate only amplified insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation. In conclusion, bpV(pic) exerts powerful insulin-like effects in human fat cells and may be a new and potentially useful agent in the management of insulin-resistant states.

3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases↗

A role for tyrosine phosphorylation in both activation and inhibition of the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase in vivo.

Upon insulin binding, a conformational change in the insulin receptor (IR) leads to IR beta-subunit autophosphorylation, an increase in IR beta-subunit exogenous tyrosine kinase activity, and the rapid endocytosis of the ligand-receptor complex into endosomes. Previous work has shown that upon internalization, rat hepatic endosomal IRs manifest increased autophosphorylating and exogenous tyrosine kinase activity compared to IRs located at the plasma membrane. As this period of enhanced activity is associated with reduced endosomal IR beta-subunit phosphotyrosine content, it has been proposed that partial dephosphorylation of the internalized IR beta-subunit by an endosomally located phosphotyrosine phosphatase(s) [PTPase(s)] mediates this effect. To test whether endosomal PTPase activity was required for internalization-dependent augmentation of IR tyrosine kinase activity, the present study used the peroxovanadium PTPase inhibitor, bisperoxo(1,10-phenanthroline)oxovanadate anion [bpV(phen)], to block IR dephosphorylation within this subcellular compartment. Rats were pretreated with bpV(phen) before receiving insulin (1.5 micrograms/100 g BW). bpV(phen) inhibited the dephosphorylation of 32P-labeled hepatic endosomal IR by approximately 97% at 15 min post-bpV(phen) injection and prevented a decrease in IR beta-subunit phosphotyrosine content after IR internalization. Fifteen-minute bpV(phen) pretreatment produced a significant reduction (75%; P < 0.001) in maximal insulin-stimulated endosomal IR exogenous kinase activity and decreased IR autophosphorylating activity by 4.3-fold in this subcellular fraction. In conclusion, these findings suggest that an hepatic endosomal PTPase(s) regulates internalization-dependent increases in IR exogenous tyrosine kinase activity.

Animals↗

A 60-kilodalton protein in rat hepatoma cells overexpressing insulin receptor was tyrosine phosphorylated and associated with Syp, phophatidylinositol 3-kinase, and Grb2 in an insulin-dependent manner.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins is an early and key step after activation of the insulin receptor kinase (IRK). The study of the properties of these proteins should contribute to our understanding of insulin action. In rat hepatoma cells overexpressing human insulin receptors (HTC-IR), insulin treatment resulted in rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins of 180, 94, 68, and 60 kDa. When lysates from insulin-treated cells were immunoprecipitated with anti-Syp antibody, subsequent immunoblotting identified p65 and p68, which reacted with anti-Syp, and p6O and p68, which reacted with antiphosphotyrosine antibody. Thus, insulin treatment yielded tyrosine phosphorylation of both Syp and a Syp-associated p6O molecule. When lysates from insulin-treated cells were adsorbed with a glutathione S-transferase (GST)-Syp-Src homology-2 (SH2) fusion protein, tyrosine- phosphorylated p6O was sequestered. After subjecting lysates to SDS-PAGE, the GST-SypSH2 fusion protein was found to bind to p18O, p94, and p6O. Thus, Syp associates directly with a 60-kDa IRK substrate via its SH2 domains. Syp-associated p6O differed from the 60- to 62-kDa proteins, associating with ras guanosine triphosphatase-activating protein, which also underwent modest tyrosine phosphorylation in response to insulin. Preadsorption of cell lystates with antibody against the 85-kDa subunit (p85) of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase substantially reduced the amount of p60 subsequently immunoprecipitated by anti-Syp. Thus, p60 associates with both Syp and p85. The amount of tyrosine-phosphorylated p60 exceeded that of p180 in anti-Syp immunoprecipitates, whereas their proportion was comparable in anti-p85 immunoprecipitates. Grb2 was also observed in the anti-Syp immunoprecipitates. When lysates from insulin-treated cells were adsorbed with GST-p85SH2 domains or GST-Grb2, the subsequent eluates contained tyrosine-phosphorylated p60, as determined by immunoblotting with antiphosphotyrosine. Membrane binding assays using GST fusion proteins showed that these associations were direct. Studies in rat liver, muscle, and adipose tissue identified insulin-dependent association of Syp, Grb2, and p85 with tyrosine-phosphorylated p60 in adipose tissue only. We conclude that insulin treatment of HTC-IR cells and rat adipose tissue results in the tyrosine phosphorylation of p60, which might participate in the recruitment of downstream effectors involved in insulin signal transduction.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Insulin-degrading enzyme.

The authors review recent research on an enzyme hypothesized to play a major role in the degradation of insulin. After binding to its receptor on the cell surface, insulin is internalized by receptor-mediated endocytosis and degraded within components of the endosomal apparatus. Degradation of insulin is important in the termination of signaling and clearance of the circulating hormone. It has been proposed that insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE), an evolutionarily conserved, neutral thiol-metalloendopeptidase, plays a crucial role in the degradation of internalized insulin in many types of cells. Despite the substantial evidence supporting the importance of IDE in cellular insulin degradation, there is controversy over its mode and site of action, mainly because of its cytosolic location. Its physiological location in cells has recently been elucidated through subcellular fractionation of liver parenchyma and through immunofluorescence microscopy of stably transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells that overexpress IDE. These experiments have excluded the presence of the enzyme in endosomes and have defined a peroxisomal location, consistent with the presence of a peroxisomal targeting sequence at the carboxyl terminus of the protein. Recently, researchers have demonstrated the functional significance of peroxisome-associated IDE (type I peroxisomal enzyme) in degrading cleaved leader peptides of peroxisomal proteins targeted by the type II motif. IDE is the first cloned and characterized proteinase to be localized to peroxisomes. Moreover, IDE appears to be a member of a newly identified superfamily of metalloendopeptidases that has an HXXEH active-site motif. Although fundamental questions concerning the biological role of IDE remain, its high degree of evolutionary conservation suggests that it must have important functions and multifaceted biological significance.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Proteolysis of glucagon within hepatic endosomes by membrane-associated cathepsins B and D.

The acidic glucagon-degrading activity of hepatic endosomes has been attributed to membrane-bound forms of cathepsins B and D. Endosomal lysates processed full-length nonradiolabeled glucagon to 32 different peptides that were identified by amino acid analysis and full-length sequencing. These indicated C-terminal carboxypeptidase, endopeptidase as well as N-terminal tripeptidyl-aminopeptidase activities in endosomes. Glucagon proteolysis was inhibited 95% by E-64 and pepstatin A, inhibitors of cathepsins B and D, respectively. This was confirmed by the pH 6-dependent chemical cross-linking of [125I]iodoglucagon to a polypeptide of 30 kDa, which was immunodepleted by polyclonal anti-cathepsin B antibody, and the removal of greater than 80% of glucagon-degrading activity by polyclonal antibodies to cathepsins B and D. By similar criteria, insulin-degrading enzyme was ruled out as a candidate enzyme for endosomal proteolysis of glucagon. Lysosomal contamination was unlikely since all forms of cathepsin B in endosomes, i.e. the major 45-kDa inactive precursor as well as the lesser amounts of the 32- and 28-kDa active forms, were tightly bound to endosomal membranes. Furthermore the mature 29-kDa single-chain and 22-kDa heavy-chain forms of cathepsin L were undetectable in endosomes, although high levels of the 37-kDa proform were observed. Membrane association of the cathepsins B and D was not to the mannose 6-phosphate receptor since association was unaffected by mannose 6-phosphate and/or EDTA, thereby indicating a distinct endosomal receptor. Hence, a pool of active cathepsins B and D as well as a poorly defined tripeptidyl aminopeptidase is maintained in endosomes by selective membrane retention. These hydrolases degrade glucagon internalized into liver parenchyma early in endocytosis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Selective activation of the rat hepatic endosomal insulin receptor kinase. Role for the endosome in insulin signaling.

Insulin administration activates the insulin receptor kinase (IRK) in both plasma membrane (PM) and endosomes (ENs) raising the possibility of transmembrane signaling occurring in the endosomal compartment. Peroxovanadium compounds activate the IRK by inhibiting IR-associated phosphotyrosine phosphatase(s). Following the administration of the phosphotyrosine phosphatase inhibitor bisperoxo(1,10-phenanthroline)-oxovanadate (V) anion (bpV(phen)) activation of the hepatic IRK in ENs preceded that in PM by 5 min. When colchicine treatment preceded bpV(phen) administration IRK activation in ENs was unaffected but was totally abrogated in PM. Insulin receptor substrate-1 tyrosine phosphorylation followed the kinetics of IRK activation in ENs not PM and a hypoglycemic response similar to that achieved with a pharmacological dose of insulin ensued. These studies demonstrate that ENs constitute a site for IR-mediated signal transduction.

Animals↗

Degradation of the cleaved leader peptide of thiolase by a peroxisomal proteinase.

A peroxisomal location for insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) has been defined by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy of stably transfected CHO cells overexpressing IDE and digitonin-permeabilization studies in normal nontransfected fibroblasts. The functional significance of IDE in degrading cleaved leader peptides of peroxisomal proteins targeted by the type II motif was evaluated with a synthetic peptide corresponding to the type II leader peptide of prethiolase. The peptide effectively competed for degradation and cross-linking of the high-affinity substrate 125I-labeled insulin to IDE. Direct proteolysis of the leader peptide of prethiolase was confirmed by HPLC; degradation was inhibited by immunodepletion with an antibody to IDE. Phylogenetic analysis of proteinases related to IDE revealed sequence similarity to mitochondrial processing peptidases.

Acetyl-CoA C-Acetyltransferase↗

Arrest at the G2/M transition of the cell cycle by protein-tyrosine phosphatase inhibition: studies on a neuronal and a glial cell line.

The addition of the peroxovanadium (pV) derivatives potassium bisperoxo(1,10-phenanthroline)oxovanadate(v) (bpV[phen]) or potassium bisperoxo(pyridine-2-carboxylato) oxovanadate(v) (bpV[pic]), both of which are potent inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) [Posner et al. (1994): J Biol Chem 269:4596-4604], to the culture medium of neuroblastoma NB 41 and glioma C6 cells resulted in a marked decrease in their proliferation rates and a progressive accumulation at the G2/M transition of the cell cycle. The effect was dependent on dose, cell type, and a pV compound employed. Mean values of the RNA-to-DNA and RNA-to-protein ratios in NB cells treated for 48 h with increased doses of bpV[phen] showed that general synthetic functions were not altered, nor did we observe oxidative damage to DNA using a sensitive DNA-nick detection assay. No changes in the expression and localization of vimentin, a component of the intermediate filament cytoskeleton, were observed by indirect immunofluorescence, showing that treatment did not disturb the cytoskeleton network. Measurements of BrdU incorporation into newly synthesized DNA showed that cells treated were not totally arrested. Furthermore, cells arrested G2/M were able to reenter the cycle rapidly after the release of inhibition. This progressive accumulation of G2/M coincided with the detection of tyrosine-phosphorylated p34cdc2 and a dramatic reduction in its kinase activity toward histone H1 by 48 h of culture. Both compounds were equally potent in inhibiting the catalytic activity of a yeast and the structurally distant mouse cdc25B in vitro, suggesting that augmented tyrosine phosphorylation of p34cdc2 derived from the in vivo inhibition of cdc25. Their equal in vitro potency contrasted with the considerably greater potency of bpV[phen] in vivo, in vivo suggesting that factors regulating the intracellular access of these compounds to cdc25 might be critical in determining in vivo specificity. In conclusion the final consequence of long-term exposure to potent and structurally defined PTP inhibitors on two highly proliferative nerve cell lines is to restrict cell growth. The corresponding hyperphosphorylation and reduced activity of p34cdc2 likely reflects the unusual sensitivity of cdc25 as an in vivo target for peroxovanadium compounds.

CDC2 Protein Kinase↗

Endosomes, receptor tyrosine kinase internalization and signal transduction.

Upon the binding of insulin or epidermal growth factor to their cognate receptors on the liver parenchymal plasmalemma, signal transduction and receptor internalization are near co-incident. Indeed, the rapidity and extent of ligand mediated receptor internalization into endosomes in liver as well as other organs predicts that signal transduction is regulated at this intracellular locus. Although internalization has been thought as a mechanism to attenuate ligand mediated signal transduction responses, detailed studies of internalized receptors in isolated liver endosomes suggest an alternative scenario whereby selective signal transduction pathways can be accessed at this locus.

Animals↗

Compartmentalized signal transduction by receptor tyrosine kinases.

Signal transduction through receptor tyrosine kinases is believed to occur mainly at the plasma membrane. Ligands bind to their cognate receptors and trigger autophosphorylation events, which are detected by intracellular signalling molecules. However, ligands, such as epidermal growth factor and insulin, induce the rapid internalization of their receptors into endosomes. Although this event is traditionally thought to attenuate the ligand-induced response, in this article the authors discuss an alternative scenario in which selective and regulated signal transduction from receptor tyrosine kinases occurs within the endosome.

Journal Article↗

In vivo insulin mimetic effects of pV compounds: role for tissue targeting in determining potency.

Peroxovanadium (pV) compounds activate the insulin receptor kinase in hepatocytes and inhibit the dephosphorylation of insulin receptors in hepatic endosomes with highly correlated potencies (Posner, B. I., R. Faure, J. W. Burgess, A. P. Bevan, D. Lachance, G. Zhang-Sun, J. B. Ng, D. A. Hall, B. S. Lum, and A. Shaver J. Biol. Chem. 269: 4596-4604, 1994). After intravenous administration, K2[VO(O2)2(picolinato)].2H2O [bpV(pic)], VO(O2) (picolinato) (H2O)2 [mpV(pic)], K[VO(O2)2(picolinato)].3H2O [bpV(phen)], and K[VO(O2)2(4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)].1/2H2O [bpV(Me2phen)] produced 50% of their maximal hypoglycemic effect at doses of 0.04, 0.04, 0.32, and 0.65 mumol/100 g body wt, respectively. In contrast, their potencies as inhibitors of dephosphorylation were bpV(pic) = bpV(phen) > mpV(pic) = bpV(Me2phen). bpV(pic) stimulated [14C]glucose incorporation into rat diaphragm glycogen in vivo, and its effect was dose dependent, synergistic with insulin, and evident in other skeletal muscles. In contrast, bpV(phen) displayed no effect on glycogen synthesis in skeletal muscle. mpV(pic) stimulated and bpV(Me2phen) had no effect on glycogen synthesis in the diaphragm. bpV(pic) augmented rat diaphragm insulin receptor kinase 2.2-fold with a time-integrated response 70% that of insulin. In contrast, the effect of bpV(phen) was delayed and much reduced. Thus, the in vivo potencies of pV compounds reflect differing capacities to act on skeletal muscle. The ancillary ligand within the pV complex may target one tissue in preference to another.

Animals↗

Hypoglycemic effects of peroxovanadium compounds in Sprague-Dawley and diabetic BB rats.

Highly purified peroxovanadium (pV) compounds, each containing an oxo ligand, one or two peroxo anions, and an ancillary ligand in the inner coordination sphere of vanadium, were shown to decrease plasma glucose markedly in both normal Sprague-Dawley and insulin-deprived diabetic BB rats. Maximal decreases in plasma glucose were at 60-100 min after intravenous, intraperitoneal, or subcutaneous administration. Synergism between these compounds and insulin was observed. Whereas parenterally administered orthovanadate or vanadyl sulfate did not induce hypoglycemia before inducing acute mortality, pV compounds effected hypoglycemia at doses much lower than those inducing acute mortality. When administered subcutaneously over a period of 3 days to insulin-deprived diabetic BB rats, pV compounds, but not vanadate, caused a significant decrease in plasma glucose concentrations and prevented the appearance of ketosis in these animals. Thus, pV compounds are the first agents other than insulin that acutely and markedly reduce plasma glucose in hypoinsulinemic diabetic BB rats.

Animals↗