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Biomedical subjects

D LeRoith

Publications and source records attributed to D LeRoith.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

Rat ovarian insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) gene expression is granulosa cell-selective: 5'-untranslated mRNA variant representation and hormonal regulation.

We, and others, have recently reported that the ovary is a site of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)I gene expression. It was the objective of the present studies to assess the relative ovarian abundance of IGF-I transcripts with alternative 5'-untranslated (UT) regions, their cellular localization, and hormonal regulation. To this end, a solution hybridization/RNase protection assay was employed wherein total rat ovarian RNA was hybridized with a 404-base 32P-labelled rat IGF-I riboprobe corresponding to the Class A 5'UT variant. As in liver, three protected bands [322 (Class A), 297 (Class B), and 242 (Class C) bases long] were noted, in keeping with established alternative 5' UT transcripts. The ovarian (as the hepatic) Class C variant proved the most abundant. The ovarian Class B variant was barely detectable. Cellular localization studies revealed these ovarian IGF-I transcripts to be primarily, if not exclusively, of granulosa but not theca-interstitial cell origin. Treatment of immature (21-23 days old) hypophysectomized rats with a diethylstilbestrol (DES)-containing subcutaneous silastic implant for a total of 5 days resulted in a 2-fold increase in the (densitometrically quantified) abundance of ovarian IGF-I transcripts, a diametrically-opposed effect (2.6-fold decrease) being noted at the level of the liver. Whereas treatment of hypophysectomized rats with oGH by itself (150 micrograms, qd, sc x5 days) resulted in a 5-fold increase in hepatic IGF-I gene expression, a limited, albeit distinct inhibitory effect was observed on the steady-state levels of ovarian IGF-I mRNA. In contrast, combined treatment with oGH and DES yielded a 3-fold increase in the abundance of ovarian IGF-I transcripts, there being no net alteration in hepatic IGF-I gene expression. Taken together, these findings reveal ovarian expression of the 3 known 5'-UT IGF-I mRNA variants, document the granulosa cell as the main somatic ovarian cell of IGF-I mRNA generation, and indicate that hepatic and ovarian IGF-I gene expression are differentially regulated in diametrically opposed directions.

Animals↗

Mechanism of insulin resistance induced by sustained levels of cytosolic free calcium in rat adipocytes.

We have recently provided evidence that elevated levels of cytosolic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) decreased insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in isolated rat adipocytes. To investigate the mechanism of Ca2+ action, we examined the effects of elevated levels of [Ca2+]i on insulin binding, autophosphorylation, and tyrosine kinase activity (TKA) of insulin receptors as well as basal and insulin-stimulated cellular distribution of glucose transporters. The latter was assessed by cytochalasin-B binding to plasma membrane and cytosolic fractions. Elevated concentrations of [Ca2+]i were maintained by incubating adipocytes with a depolarizing concentration of K+ (40 mM). Basal nonstimulated glucose uptake was not altered by increased levels of [Ca2+]i. Adipocytes with higher [Ca2+]i (220 +/- 15 nM) showed 30% reduction in insulin-stimulated 2-deoxyglucose uptake compared with control cells ([Ca2+]i, 140 +/- 18 nM). Moreover, adipocytes with higher levels of [Ca2+]i demonstrated an approximately 10% reduction in autophosphorylation and TKA of insulin receptors without a change in insulin binding. Both basal and insulin-stimulated distributions of glucose transporters were unaffected by sustained levels of [Ca2+]i. The effects of elevated [Ca2+]i were not mimicked by protein kinase-C activation. These observations suggest that 1) elevated or sustained levels of [Ca2+]i impair insulin-stimulated glucose uptake; and 2) Ca2+-induced impairment appears to reside at the postbinding steps of insulin action and probably interferes with the TKA of insulin receptors and the intrinsic activity of glucose transporters.

Adipose Tissue↗

Insulin-like growth factor-II in nonislet cell tumors associated with hypoglycemia: increased levels of messenger ribonucleic acid.

The role of insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) in the hypoglycemia associated with nonislet cell tumors is controversial. In this study we have addressed this question by measuring the IGF-II mRNA levels in extracts of these tumors. Hybridization of a 32P-labeled IGF-II cDNA to a Northern blot of RNA from three nonislet cell tumors associated with hypoglycemia (a hemangiopericytoma, fibrosarcoma, and malignant mesenchymal tumor) demonstrated six hybridizing bands, 6.8, 5.6, 4.7, 3.6, 2.6, and 2.1 kilobases in length. These bands were similar to those described by others in a range of tumors and normal tissues. Tissue IGF-II mRNA levels were quantitated using a solution hybridization/RNase protection assay. IGF-II mRNA levels in the tumors were similar to the level present in one line of human hepatoblastoma-derived Hep G2 cells, 5- to 6-fold higher than that in another line of Hep G2 cells, and 2- to 3-fold higher than that in term placenta. In contrast, little or no IGF-II mRNA was detected in a nonfunctioning islet cell adenoma or normal spleen. There was no evidence for amplification of the IGF-II gene in the one tumor in which it was sought. These data suggest that nonislet cell tumors associated with hypoglycemia produce large amounts of IGF-II mRNA and that this IGF-II mRNA appears to be the product of an IGF-II gene, which is apparently normal in the region encoding mature IGF-II peptide.

Adult↗

Developmental regulation of rat brain/Hep G2 glucose transporter gene expression.

The developmental regulation of rat brain-derived/Hep G2 glucose transporter gene expression was studied by means of Northern blot hybridization, using a rat brain glucose transporter cDNA probe, in order to directly quantify steady state glucose transporter mRNA levels. The results obtained showed different tissue-specific patterns of glucose transporter mRNA levels during ontogenesis; while in brain there was a sustained increase in the levels of the message from 20 days embryogenesis until 50 days postnatal, other organs such as heart, lung, liver, and muscle expressed maximal levels of the glucose transporter mRNA in 20-day fetuses and 1-day neonates, decreasing subsequently to very low levels. The relative expression of the glucose transporter mRNA in the different tissues, at both fetal and adult stages, was analyzed using a solution hybridization-RNase protection assay. This approach revealed that, while the heart expresses the highest levels of glucose transporter mRNA at 20 days of fetal life, the brain shows the highest levels at the adult stage. These results indicate a tissue-specific ontogenic pattern of glucose transporter gene expression, suggesting a developmental role for this glucose transporter gene product.

Animals↗

Expression of insulin-like growth factor-I and its receptor by SV40-transformed rat granulosa cells.

Cellular proliferation is a dominant aspect of ovarian follicular development in the rat, and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) has been proposed as a mediator of cellular growth and differentiation in the ovary. An SV40-transformed rat granulosa cell line (RGA-41S) has been established as a model for studies on dividing cells of granulosa origin. Granulosa cells from the ovaries of immature diethylstilbestrol-treated rats were infected with the tsA255 mutant of SV40, followed by cloning in serum-free medium to select transformed cell lines which were serum independent. At the permissive temperature (33 C), RGA-41S cells exhibited a transformed phenotype and rapidly formed high density multilayers of compact cells that readily overgrew nontransformed cells. At the nonpermissive temperature (40 C) cell replication declined and division ceased after 4 days. Furthermore, at 40 C the cells grew as a monolayer and assumed a tetrahedral shape with a high cytoplasm-to-nucleus ratio, and displayed reduced ability to overgrow nontransformed cells. The transformed ovarian cells did not express detectable gonadotropin receptors and steroidogenic activity but retained their epithelial phenotype as demonstrated by cytokeratin staining of the cytoskeleton, the presence of microvilli, and the formation of tight junctions between cells. In support of the proposed autocrine-paracrine actions of IGF-I in the ovary, assay of conditioned serum-free culture medium revealed secretion of IGF-I-immunoreactive material by RGA-41S cells. HPLC-purified IGF-I immunoreactivity from these cells eluted with the same retention time as recombinant human IGF-I. When hybridized with a 32P-labeled rat IGF-I cDNA probe, poly(A)+ mRNA prepared from RGA-41S cells grown at both temperatures showed the typical three size classes of IGF-I mRNA on Northern blots (7.5, 1.7, and 0.8-1.2 kilobase kb), although the levels were somewhat higher at 33 C. The presence of IGF-I receptors in transformed cells was demonstrated by specific 125I-IGF-I binding to intact cells. Scatchard analysis indicated a single class of high affinity receptors at a density of 10(5) binding sites per cell and a dissociation constant (Kd) = 0.52 x 10(-9) M. Furthermore, hybridization of a 32P-labeled IGF-I receptor probe to Northern blots of poly(A+) RNA prepared from cells grown at 33 C and 40 C revealed an 11-kilobase rat IGF-I receptor mRNA. Physiological concentrations of IGF-I increased [3H]aminoisobutyric acid uptake by RGA-41S cells grown at either temperature, attesting to the retention of responsiveness to IGF-I in these transformed granulosa cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Aminobutyrates↗

Coordinate decrease of tissue insulinlike growth factor I posttranscriptional alternative mRNA transcripts in diabetes mellitus.

In these studies, we examined the effect of excess levels of growth hormone (GH) on rat insulinlike growth factor I (IGF-I) gene expression in streptozocin-induced diabetes mellitus. A solution hybridization/RNase protection assay was used to simultaneously quantitate the relative tissue content of the variant IGF-I mRNA species arising from alternative splicing in the region encoding the COOH-terminal extension E-peptide (IGF-Ia and IGF-Ib). IGF-Ia and IGF-Ib mRNAs were markedly decreased in liver, kidney, and lung tissues of diabetic rats. Although GF stimulates IGF-I gene expression, chronic GH excess from implanted somatomammotropic tumors did not appropriately induce tissue IGF-I mRNA content in diabetic animals. Treatment of diabetic rats with insulin for 1 wk restored basal and GH-stimulated IGF-Ia and IGF-Ib mRNA content toward that present in tissues of nondiabetic rats. The ratio of IGF-Ia to IGF-Ib mRNA remained relatively constant for each tissue and was not affected by the diabetic state, chronic GH hyperstimulation, or insulin therapy, suggesting that posttranscriptional splicing is not a regulated event in these conditions. Thus, both circulating IGF-I levels and tissue IGF-I gene expression are profoundly decreased in this model of experimental diabetes. Diminished tissue availability of IGF-I from endocrine and/or paracrine sources may be responsible for the growth retardation seen in uncontrolled diabetes mellitus.

Animals↗

Characterization of the altered oligosaccharide composition of the insulin receptor on neural-derived cells.

Typical insulin receptors are present on neuroblastoma cell lines. High affinity binding for insulin was present in membrane preparations from NG108 (a hybrid mouse neuroblastoma-rat glioma) as well as in membranes from SK-N-MC and SK-N-SH, two human neuroblastoma cell lines. Specific [125I]insulin binding was 24.4% for NG108, 16.9% for SK-N-MC and 5.2% for SK-N-SH at membrane protein concentrations of 0.4 mg/ml. IC50 for [125I]insulin binding was 3.4 nM in NG108 membrane preparations and 0.9 nM for SK-N-SH and 1.8 nM in SK-N-MC membranes. Apparent mol. wt. for the alpha subunits (identified by specific immunoprecipitation using the anti-insulin receptor antiserum B10) on SDS PAGE was 134 kDa for NG108; 124 kDa for SK-N-MC and 120 kDa for SK-N-SH. Neuraminidase digestion increased the mobility of the alpha subunit from both NG108 and SK-N-MC receptors to 120 kDa, whereas that from SK-N-SH were unaffected. Endoglycosidase H and endoglycosidase F digestions increased the mobility of the alpha subunits of all 3 cell lines to varying degrees, suggesting the presence of N-linked glycosylation. Insulin induced autophosphorylation of the insulin receptor beta subunit in WGA-purified membranes from all 3 cell lines. In addition, phosphorylation of a protein with an apparent mol. wt. 105 kDa was stimulated by insulin in WGA purified membranes from NG108. Tyrosine-specific kinase activity was present in the membranes from each cell line and was stimulated by insulin in a dose-dependent manner from 10(-9) to 10(-6) M. Proinsulin was about 100 times less potent in stimulating phosphorylation of the artificial substrate poly (Glu, Tyr)4:1 when compared to insulin in accordance with its lower binding affinity to the insulin receptor. Hexose transport was stimulated by insulin in all 3 cell lines. These results indicate that neuroblastoma cells contain specific insulin receptors and that they may be useful as models for studying the role of insulin in nervous tissue.

Binding, Competitive↗

Retinal insulin receptors: localization using a polyclonal anti-insulin receptor antibody.

Although retinal insulin receptors have recently been described biochemically, the location of these receptors within the retina is unknown. The study presented here used a polyclonal anti-insulin receptor antibody (B10), immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy to determine the location of insulin receptors in bovine, monkey and human retina. It was found that antibody immunofluorescence formed discrete bands localized predominantly to photoreceptor and neuronal cell bodies. In addition to the strong association with neuronal perikarya, a lower level of antibody binding was observed in photoreceptor outer segments. In human retina, some of the antibody immunofluorescence also had a pattern that suggested B10 binding to glial-like cells.

Animals↗

Insulin receptors in the brain: structural and physiological characterization.

The present study was conducted to characterize insulin receptors and to determine the effects of insulin in synaptosomes prepared from adult rat brains. Binding of 125I-insulin to synaptosome insulin receptors was highly specific and time dependent: equilibrium binding was obtained within 60 minutes, and a t1/2 of dissociation of 26 minutes. Cross-linking of 125I-insulin to its receptor followed by SDS-PAGE demonstrated that the apparent molecular weight of the alpha subunit of the receptor was 122,000 compared with 134,000 for the liver insulin receptor. In addition, insulin stimulated the dose-dependent phosphorylation of exogenous tyrosine containing substrate and a 95,000 MW plasma membrane associated protein, in a lectin-purified insulin receptor preparation. The membrane associated protein was determined to be the beta subunit of the insulin receptor. Incubation of synaptosomes with insulin caused a dose-dependent inhibition of specific sodium-sensitive [3H]norepinephrine uptake. Insulin inhibition of [3H]norepinephrine uptake was mediated by a decrease in active uptake sites without any effects in the Km, and was specific for insulin since related and unrelated peptides influenced the uptake in proportion to their structural similarity with insulin. These observations indicate that synaptosomes prepared from the adult rat brain possess specific insulin receptors and insulin has inhibitory effects on norepinephrine uptake in the preparation.

Animals↗

Insulin-related materials in the nervous system of vertebrates and non-vertebrates: possible extrapancreatic production.

Studies from multiple laboratories with a range of methods raised the possibility that insulin production occurs naturally at extrapancreatic sites. Part A covers the presence of insulin-related materials in organisms that do not have an endocrine pancreas, including unicellular prokaryotes and eukaryotes as well as multicellular non-vertebrate animals (insects et al.) and plants. Part B covers possible production of insulin by extrapancreatic tissues of vertebrates that are remote from a source of pancreatic insulin e.g. early chick embryos and mammalian cells in culture. Part C covers possible extrapancreatic insulin production in mammals in vivo. Each section ends with an outline summary with evidence in favor of and against the hypothesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Functional insulin-like growth factor I receptors are expressed by neural-derived continuous cell lines.

High affinity insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) receptors are expressed by two human neural derived cell lines, SK-N-SH and SK-N-MC. Specific [125I]IGF-I binding to crude membranes was 23.4% for SK-N-SH and 10.7% for SK-N-MC, with 50% inhibition of binding by unlabeled IGF-I between 0.6-0.7 nM. Scatchard analysis of crude membrane binding was linear, whereas Scatchard analysis after wheat germ agglutinin purification of the receptor became curvilinear. The IGF-I receptor alpha-subunits of SK-N-SH have an apparent Mr of 126K, whereas that for SK-N-MC is 132K. Despite these differences in alpha-subunit structure both cell lines demonstrate IGF-I-induced autophosphorylation of their own beta-subunits as well as specific IGF-I induced tyrosine kinase activity, suggesting normal coupling between the ligand-binding alpha-subunit and the tyrosine kinase-containing beta-subunit. Furthermore, IGF-I stimulated iododeoxyuridine uptake in both SK-N-SH and SK-N-MC in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that these cells may be used to study the role of IGF-I action on neural tissues.

Animals↗

Insulin-sensitive tyrosine kinase is increased in livers of adult obese Zucker rats: correction with prolonged fasting.

Adult obese Zucker rats (fa,fa) are hyperinsulinemic and insulin resistant. Specific insulin binding to crude membranes prepared from livers was 2.8% (per mg protein) in fatty animals compared with 7.9% in homozygous lean (Fa,Fa) and 9.0% in heterozygous lean (Fa,fa) animals. Insulin binding increased in liver membranes from fatty animals after a 72-h fast to 6.4%. The reduced insulin binding in livers from fatty rats was associated with elevated insulin-sensitive tyrosine kinase activity, which fell towards control values after the fast. The elevated tyrosine kinase activity was associated with an increased maximum velocity (Vmax) without a change in Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) for its substrates, ATP and poly(Glu,Tyr)4:1. These findings suggest that, in adult fatty rats, insulin-sensitive tyrosine kinase has increased intrinsic activity. Further, the effect of the prolonged fast on both insulin binding and kinase activity, suggest that in this model environmental factors, and not necessarily a genetic abnormality, may regulate liver insulin receptors and their kinase. Whether the inverse relationship of the kinase and insulin receptor number is the result of a compensatory mechanism remains to be elucidated.

Animals↗

Dexamethasone reduces steady state insulin-like growth factor I messenger ribonucleic acid levels in rat neuronal and glial cells in primary culture.

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) mRNA was demonstrated in primary cultures of neuronal and glial cells from rat brain. On Northern blots, a rat IGF-I cDNA probe hybridized to RNA species of 7.5, 1.7, and 0.8-1.2 kilobases in total and poly(A)+ RNA from both cell types. Solution hybridization/RNase protection assays were performed using an antisense riboprobe complementary to the 5'-untranslated region as well as part of the coding region of rat IGF-I mRNA. These studies indicated that two of the previously described three possible alternative 5'-untranslated splicing variants (classes A and C) were expressed in neuronal and glial cells, with class C transcripts predominating. Neuronal cells also possessed extremely low levels of class B transcripts. Treatment of neuronal cell cultures with the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone reduced IGF-I mRNA levels by 60%. Glial cell IGF-I mRNA levels were reduced by dexamethasone by up to 40%. These results suggest that glucocorticoid-induced reductions in IGF-I production could occur at the level of transcription and may underlie some of the actions of glucocorticoids in causing growth retardation and inhibition of cell proliferation.

Animals↗

Distribution and regulation of rat insulin-like growth factor I messenger ribonucleic acids encoding alternative carboxyterminal E-peptides: evidence for differential processing and regulation in liver.

Alternative splicing of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I)/somatomedin C mRNAs generates two IGF-I mRNAs coding for IGF-I peptides with different sequences in the E domain of the IGF-I prohormone. These two mRNAs encode alternative E peptides due to the presence (IGF-Ib) or absence (IGF-Ia) of a 52-base insert in the region coding for the E domain. We have used a solution hybridization/RNase protection assay to determine the tissue distribution and regulation by GH of the expression of these alternative IGF-I mRNAs. IGF-Ib mRNAs are present in low abundance (representing approximately 2.5% of the total IGF-I mRNA) in heart, lung, muscle, testes, stomach, kidney, and brain, but represent approximately 13% of the IGF-I mRNA in liver. GH treatment of hypophysectomized rats increased steady-state IGF-I mRNA levels in liver, kidney, lung, and heart. In kidney, lung, and heart, IGF-Ia and IGF-Ib mRNA levels were coordinately regulated by GH, but, in liver, the fold increase in IGF-Ib mRNA levels was approximately three times greater than the fold increase in IGF-Ia mRNA levels. These data suggest that the processing of IGF-I mRNA in liver is different than in nonhepatic tissues. These results also further elucidate the organization of the rat IGF-I gene as well as the generation of multiple IGF-I mRNAs by alternative splicing.

Animals↗

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I stimulate a common endogenous phosphoprotein substrate (pp185) in intact neuroblastoma cells.

Mouse neuroblastoma N18 cells contain specific high affinity insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) receptors. Insulin and IGF-I induce phosphorylation, in intact cells, of their respective receptor beta subunits. The insulin receptor beta subunit is represented by a 95-kDa phosphoprotein that is recognized by a specific antiserum (B10). The IGF-I receptor beta subunit is represented by two phosphoproteins of molecular mass 95 and 105 kDa. The hormone-induced phosphorylation was rapid and dose-dependent occurring on both phosphoserine and phosphotyrosine residues. In addition, both insulin and IGF-I induced phosphorylation of an endogenous protein of molecular mass 185 kDa (pp185). The rapidity and dose dependency of the phosphorylation of pp185 suggested that it may represent a common endogenous substrate for the insulin and IGF-I receptors in these neural-derived cells. Phosphorylation was primarily on phosphoserine and phosphotyrosine residues. pp185 did not absorb to wheat germ agglutinin-agarose and was not stimulated by either epidermal growth factor or platelet-derived growth factor. The finding of pp185 in these neural-related cells as well as in non-neural tissues suggests that it may represent a ubiquitous endogenous substrate for both the insulin and IGF-I receptor kinases.

Animals↗

Rat IGF-I cDNA's contain multiple 5'-untranslated regions.

DNA sequencing of several independent rat IGF-I cDNA clones has revealed three different 5'-untranslated region sequences which contain multiple, upstream, in-frame initiation codons. Use of these codons could generate N-terminal heterogeneity in IGF-I precursor proteins. One of these 5'-untranslated region sequences contains a 40-bp segment which is an inverted repeat of a region in the common 3'-untranslated region. The ends of the IGF-I mRNA corresponding to this cDNA could form a stable duplex structure. Such a complex could prevent ribosomal access to the AUG codons preceding the coding region for the pre-pro-IGF-I peptide, suggesting the possibility of translational regulation of this form of IGF-I mRNA. The 3'-untranslated region inverted repeat sequence also is present in human and mouse IGF-I cDNA's, and, intriguingly, is more highly conserved than the rest of the 3'-untranslated region.

Animals↗