Phosphorylation and activation of protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) 1B by insulin receptor.

We have previously reported a direct in vivo interaction between the activated insulin receptor and protein-tyrosine phosphatase-1B (PTP1B), which leads to an increase in PTP1B tyrosine phosphorylation. In order to determine if PTP1B is a substrate for the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase, the phosphorylation of the Cys 215 Ser, catalytically inactive mutant PTP1B (CS-PTP1B) was measured in the presence of partially purified and activated insulin receptor. In vitro, the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase catalyzed the tyrosine phosphorylation of PTP1B. 53% of the total cellular PTP1B became tyrosine phosphorylated in response to insulin in vivo. Tyrosine phosphorylation of PTP1B by the insulin receptor was absolutely dependent upon insulin-stimulated receptor autophosphorylation and required an intact kinase domain, containing insulin receptor tyrosines 1146, 1150 and 1151. Tyrosine phosphorylation of wild type PTP1B by the insulin receptor kinase increased phosphatase activity of the protein. Intermolecular transdephosphorylation was demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo, by dephosphorylation of phosphorylated CS-PTP1B by the active wild type enzyme either in a cell-free system or via expression of the wild type PTP1B into Hirc-M cell line, which constitutively overexpress the human insulin receptor and CS-PTP1B. These results suggest that PTP1B is a target protein for the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase and PTP1B can regulate its own phosphatase activity by maintaining the balance between its phosphorylated (the active form) and dephosphorylated (the inactive form) state.

Insulin regulates MAP kinase phosphatase-1 induction in Hirc B cells via activation of both extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK).

Previously, we have reported that insulin induces the expression of the dual-specificity tyrosine phosphatase Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) and that this may represent a negative feedback mechanism to regulate insulin-stimulated MAP kinase activity. In this work, the mechanism of regulation of MKP-1 expression by insulin was examined, particularly the role of the MAP kinase superfamily. Inhibition of the ERK pathway attenuated insulin-stimulated MKP-1 mRNA expression. Expression of dominant negative molecules of the JNK pathway also abolished insulin-stimulated MKP-1 expression. However, inhibition of p38MAPK activity by SB202190 had no effect on insulin-stimulated MKP-1 induction. Simultaneous inhibition of the ERK and JNK pathways abolished the ability of insulin to stimulate MKP-1 expression, however, this combined inhibition was neither additive nor synergistic, suggesting these pathways converge to act on a common final effector. In conclusion, induction of MKP-1 mRNA expression in Hirc B cells by insulin requires activation of both the ERK and JNK pathways, but not p38MAPK.

Substitution of two insulin receptor carboxy-terminal tyrosines with phenylalanine impairs the expression of MAP kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) mRNA.

Cells expressing mutant insulin receptors (Y/F2), in which tyrosines 1316 and 1322 have been replaced with phenylalanine, exhibit enhanced insulin-induced MAP kinase activity and DNA synthesis in comparison with cells expressing wild type insulin receptors (Hirc B). To elucidate the mechanism of enhanced responsiveness, the expression of MAP kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1), a negative regulator of MAP kinase activity, was measured in Hirc B and Y/F2 cells incubated in the absence and presence of insulin for various periods of time, and over increasing concentrations of the ligand. Treatment of both cell lines with insulin induced a time and concentration-dependent relative increase in MKP-1 mRNA expression. However, in Y/F2 cells both basal and insulin-stimulated MKP-1 mRNA levels were more than 60% lower than that observed in cells transfected with the wildtype receptors. Cyclic AMP analog (8-Br-cAMP)/inducer (Forskoline) increased MKP-1 mRNA levels in both cell lines, and to a lesser extent in Y/F2 cells. In contrast to insulin the relative increase in MKP-1 mRNA expression induced by 8-Br-cAMP or forskoline was similar in Y/F2 and Hirc B cells. The overexpression of MKP-1 in Y/F2 cells inhibited insulin stimulated DNA synthesis. Transfection of wild type insulin receptors into Y/F2 cells increased basal levels of MKP-1. These results suggest that insulin receptor tyrosine residues 13/16 and 1322 play an important role in the regulation of MKP-1 expression both under basal and insulin stimulated conditions, and are not necessary for the induction of MKP-1 mRNA by cAMP. Furthermore, the enhanced insulin induced mitogenic signaling seen in Y/F2 cells is, at least in part, due to impaired MKP-1 expression.

Elevated expression and activity of protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B in skeletal muscle of insulin-resistant type II diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats.

We investigated the cellular mechanism(s) of insulin resistance associated with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) using skeletal muscles isolated from non-obese, insulin resistant type II diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats, a well known genetic rat model for type II diabetic humans. Relative to non-diabetic control rats (WKY), insulin-stimulated insulin receptor (IR) autophosphorylation and insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) tyrosine phosphorylation were significantly inhibited in GK skeletal muscles. This may be due to increased dephosphorylation by a protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase). Therefore, we measured skeletal muscle total PTPase and PTPase 1B activities in the skeletal muscles isolated from control rats (WKY) and diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats. PTPase activity was measured using a synthetic phosphopeptide, TRDIY(P)ETDY(P)Y(P)RK, as the substrate. Basal PTPase activity was 2-fold higher (P < 0.001) in skeletal muscle of GK rats when compared to WKY. Insulin infusion inhibited skeletal muscle PTPase activity in both control (26.20% of basal, P < 0.001) and GK (25.35% of basal, P < 0.001) rats. However, PTPase activity in skeletal muscle of insulin-stimulated GK rats was 200% higher than hormone-treated WKY controls (P < 0.001). Immunoprecipitation of PTPase 1B from skeletal muscle lysates and analysis of the enzyme activity in immunoprecipitates indicated that both basal and insulin-stimulated PTPase 1B activities were significantly higher (twofold, P < 0.001) in skeletal muscle of diabetic GK rats when compared to WKY controls. The increase in PTPase 1B activity in diabetic GK rats was associated with an increased expression of the PTPase 1B protein. We concluded that insulin resistance of GK rats is accompanied atleast by an abnormal regulation of PTPase 1B. Elevated PTPase 1B activity through enhanced tyrosine dephosphorylation of the insulin receptor and its substrates, may lead to impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in GK rats.

Down-regulation of insulin signaling by protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B is mediated by an N-terminal binding region.

Protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) play a major role in regulating insulin signaling. Among the PTPs that regulate this signaling pathway, PTP1B plays an especially prominent role. PTP1B inhibits insulin signaling and has previously been shown to bind to the activated insulin receptor (IR), but neither the mechanism nor the physiological importance of such binding have been established. Here, we show that a previously undefined region in the N-terminal, catalytic half of PTP1B contributes to IR binding. Point mutations within this region of PTP1B disrupt IR binding but do not affect the catalytic activity of this phosphatase. This binding-defective mutant of PTP1B does not efficiently dephosphorylate the IR in cells, nor does it effectively inhibit IR signaling. These results suggest that PTP1B targets the IR through a novel binding element and that binding is required for the physiological effects of PTP1B on IR signal transduction.

Marked impairment of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B activity in adipose tissue of obese subjects with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) are required for the dephosphorylation of the insulin receptor (IR) and its initial cellular substrates, and it has recently been reported that PTP-1B may play a role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). We therefore determined the amount and activity of PTP-1B in abdominal adipose tissue obtained from lean nondiabetic subjects (lean control (LC)), obese nondiabetic subjects (obese control (OC)), and subjects with both type 2 DM (DM2) and obesity (obese diabetic (OD)). PTP-1B protein levels were 3-fold higher in OC than in LC (1444 +/- 195 U vs 500 +/- 146 U (mean +/- SEM), P < .015), while OD exhibited a 5.5-fold increase (2728 +/- 286 U, P < .01). PTP activity was assayed by measuring the dephosphorylating activity toward a phosphorus 32-labeled synthetic dodecapeptide. In contrast to the increased PTP-1B protein levels, PTP-1B activity per unit of PTP-1B protein was markedly reduced, by 71% and 88% in OC and OD, respectively. Non-PTP-1B tyrosine phosphatase activity was comparable in all three groups. Similar results were obtained when PTP-1B activity was measured against intact human IR. A significant correlation was found between body mass index (BMI) and PTP-1B level (r = 0.672, P < .02), whereas BMI and PTP-1B activity per unit of PTP-1B showed a strong inverse correlation (r = -0.801, P < .002). These data suggest that the insulin resistance of obesity and DM2 is characterized by the increased expression of a catalytically impaired PTP-1B in adipose tissue and that impaired PTP-1B activity may be pathogenic for insulin resistance in these conditions.

Protein-tyrosine phosphatase-1B acts as a negative regulator of insulin signal transduction.

Insulin signaling involves a dynamic cascade of protein tyrosine phosphorylation and dephosphorylation. Most of our understanding of this process comes from studies focusing on tyrosine kinases, which are signal activators. Our knowledge of the role of protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases), signal attenuators, in regulating insulin signal transduction remains rather limited. Protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP-1B), the prototypical PTPase, is ubiquitously and abundantly expressed. Work from several laboratories, including our own, has implicated PTP-1B as a negative regulator of insulin action and as a potentially important mediator in the pathogenesis of insulin-resistance and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).

Regulation of growth factor-induced signaling by protein-tyrosine-phosphatases.

The binding of a growth factor to its specific receptor catalyzes a complex cascade of intracellular signaling events, characterized by changes in the phosphorylation state of many key proteins. Among these phosphorylation events, tyrosine phosphorylation plays a prominent role in the transmission of postreceptor signals. The state of tyrosine phosphorylation is regulated by the actions of protein-tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and protein-tyrosine-phosphatases (PTPs). Dysregulation of either event can lead to abnormal cellular responses. PTPs generally act to regulate negatively-that is, to turn off-any signals generated by PTKs. However, this is not always the case, as seen by the phosphatase SHP-2, which can either be a positive or negative regulator of signal transduction depending on the particular cellular context. In addition, a novel family of dual specificity phosphatases has been recently discovered. These enzymes are capable of dephosphorylating phosphotyrosine and phosphothreonine/phosphoserine residues, and seem to play a significant role in attenuating the action of MAP kinases. Several themes appear throughout PTP regulation of growth factor signaling, including positive or negative regulation, importance of cell/ tissue type, identity of the receptor activated, and subcellular localization. Although only a handful of PTPs have been identified, the present work done in elucidating their function has revealed their significance in the maintenance of normal physiological responses to growth factors.

Insulin-induced mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) attenuates insulin-stimulated MAP kinase activity: a mechanism for the feedback inhibition of insulin signaling.

Insulin signaling involves the transient activation/inactivation of various proteins by a cycle of phosphorylation/dephosphorylation. This dynamic process is regulated by the action of protein kinases and protein phosphatases. One family of protein kinases that is important in insulin signaling is the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, whose action is reversed by specific MAP kinase phosphatases (MKPs). Insulin stimulation of Hirc B cells overexpressing the human insulin receptor resulted in increased MKP-1 mRNA levels. MKP-1 mRNA increased in a dose-dependent manner to a maximum of 3- to 4-fold over basal levels within 30 min, followed by a gradual return to basal. The mRNA induction did not require the continuous presence of insulin. The induction of MKP-1 protein synthesis followed MKP-1 mRNA induction; MKP-1 protein was maximally expressed after 120 min of insulin stimulation. MKP-1 mRNA induction by insulin required insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity, since overexpression of an altered insulin receptor with impaired intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity prevented mRNA induction. Forskolin, (Bu)2-cAMP, 8-bromo-cAMP, and 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cAMP increased the MKP-1 mRNA content moderately above basal. These agents also augmented the insulin-stimulated expression of MKP-1 mRNA. However, in some cases the increase in MKP-1 mRNA expression was less than additive. Nevertheless, these results indicate that multiple signaling motifs might regulate MKP-1 expression and suggest another mechanism for the attenuation of insulin-stimulated MAP kinase activity by cAMP. Overexpression of MKP-1 in Hirc B cells inhibited both insulin-stimulated MAP kinase activity and MAP kinase-dependent gene transcription. The results of these studies led us to conclude that insulin regulates MKP-1 and strongly suggest that MKP-1 acts as a negative regulator of insulin signaling.

Protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B complexes with the insulin receptor in vivo and is tyrosine-phosphorylated in the presence of insulin.

In response to insulin, protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTPase 1B) dephosphorylates 95- and 160-180-kDa tyrosine phosphorylated (PY) proteins (Kenner, K. A., Anyanwu, E., Olefsky, J. M., and Kusari, J. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 19810-19816). To characterize these proteins, lysates from control and insulin-treated cells expressing catalytically inactive PTPase 1B (CS) were immunoadsorbed and subsequently immunoblotted using various combinations of phosphotyrosine, PTPase 1B, and insulin receptor (IR) antibodies. Anti-PTPase 1B antibodies coprecipitated a 95-kDa PY protein from insulin-stimulated cells, subsequently identified as the IR beta-subunit. Similarly, anti-IR antibodies coprecipitated the 50-kDa PY-PTPase 1B protein from insulin-treated cells. To identify PTPase 1B tyrosine (Tyr) residues that are phosphorylated in response to insulin, three candidate sites (Tyr66, Tyr152, and Tyr153) were replaced with phenylalanine. Replacing Tyr66 or Tyr152 and Tyr153 significantly reduced insulin-stimulated PTPase 1B phosphotyrosine content, as well as its association with the IR. Studies using mutant IRs demonstrated that IR autophosphorylation is necessary for the PTPase 1B-IR interaction. These results suggest that PTPase 1B complexes with the autophosphorylated insulin receptor in intact cells, either directly or within a complex involving additional proteins. The interaction requires multiple tyrosine phosphorylation sites within both the receptor and PTPase 1B.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B interacts with the activated insulin receptor.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is a protein tyrosine phosphatase of unknown function, although increasing evidence supports a role for this phosphatase in insulin action. We have investigated the interaction of PTP1B with the insulin receptor using a PTP1B glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion protein with a point mutation in the enzyme's catalytic domain. This fusion protein is catalytically inactive, but the phosphatase's phosphotyrosine binding site is maintained. The activated insulin receptor was precipitated from purified receptor preparations and whole-cell lysates by the inactive PTP1B-GST, demonstrating a direct association between the insulin receptor and PTP1B. A p120 of unknown identity was also precipitated from whole-cell lysates by the PTP1B fusion protein, but IRS-1 (pp185) was not. A catalytically inactive [35S]PTP1B-fusion protein bound directly to immobilized insulin receptor kinase domains and was displaced in a concentration-dependent manner. Finally, tyrosine-phosphorylated PTP1B was precipitated from whole-cell lysates by an anti-insulin receptor antibody after insulin stimulation. The site of interaction between PTP1B and the insulin receptor was studied using phosphopeptides modeled after the receptor's kinase domain, the NPXY domain, and the COOH-terminal. Each phosphopeptide inhibited the PTP1B-GST:insulin receptor interaction. Study of mutant insulin receptors demonstrated that activation of the kinase domain is necessary for the PTP1B:insulin receptor interaction, but receptors with deletion of the NPXY domain or of the COOH-terminal can still bind to the PTP1B-GST. We conclude that PTP1B can associate directly with the activated insulin receptor at multiple different phosphotyrosine sites and that dephosphorylation by PTP1B may play a significant role in insulin receptor signal transduction.

Protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B is a negative regulator of insulin- and insulin-like growth factor-I-stimulated signaling.

To understand the physiological role of protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTPase 1B) in insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) signaling, we established clonal cell lines overexpressing wild type or inactive mutant (C215S) PTPase 1B in cells overexpressing insulin (Hirc) or IGF-I (CIGFR) receptors. PTPase 1B overexpression in transfected cells was verified by immunoblot analysis with a monoclonal PTPase 1B antibody. Subfractionation of parental cells demonstrated that greater than 90% of PTPase activity was localized in the Triton X-100-soluble particulate (P1) cell fraction. PTPase activity in the P1 fraction of cells overexpressing wild type PTPase 1B was 3-6-fold higher than parental cells but was unaltered in all fractions from C215S PTPase 1B-containing cells. The overexpression of wild type and C215S PTPase 1B had no effects on intrinsic receptor kinase activity, growth rate, or general cell morphology. The effects of PTPase 1B overexpression on cellular protein tyrosine phosphorylation were examined by anti-phosphotyrosine immunoblot analysis. No differences were apparent under basal conditions, but hormone-stimulated receptor autophosphorylation and/or insulin receptor substrate tyrosine phosphorylation were inhibited in cells overexpressing wild type PTPase 1B and increased in cells expressing mutant PTPase 1B, in comparison with parental cells. Metabolic signaling, assessed by ligand-stimulated [14C]glucose incorporation into glycogen, was also inhibited in cells overexpressing active PTPase 1B and enhanced in cells containing C215S PTPase 1B. These data strongly suggest that PTPase 1B acts as a negative regulator of insulin and IGF-I signaling.

cDNA sequence analysis of the human brain insulin receptor.

Brain tissue mRNA was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with eight overlapping sets of primers that span the cDNA coding sequence for the human placental insulin receptor. Only the A isoform (lacking exon 11) of the receptor was detected. No difference was found in the predicted amino acid sequence of brain derived insulin receptor cDNA compared with the receptor from human placenta. A silent polymorphism was detected at nucleotide position 1698 (amino acid 523), confirming that mRNA corresponding to both alleles of the human brain receptor was sequenced. Our findings indicate that the unique glycosylation properties of brain insulin receptors do not stem from differences in primary structure, but rather are due to tissue-specific differences in post-translational processing.

Skeletal muscle protein tyrosine phosphatase activity and tyrosine phosphatase 1B protein content are associated with insulin action and resistance.

Particulate and cytosolic protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) activity was measured in skeletal muscle from 15 insulin-sensitive subjects and 5 insulin-resistant nondiabetic subjects, as well as 18 subjects with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Approximately 90% of total PTPase activity resided in the particulate fraction. In comparison with lean nondiabetic subjects, particulate PTPase activity was reduced 21% (P < 0.05) and 22% (P < 0.005) in obese nondiabetic and NIDDM subjects, respectively. PTPase1B protein levels were likewise decreased by 38% in NIDDM subjects (P < 0.05). During hyperinsulinemic glucose clamps, glucose disposal rates (GDR) increased approximately sixfold in lean control and twofold in NIDDM subjects, while particulate PTPase activity did not change. However, a strong positive correlation (r = 0.64, P < 0.001) existed between particulate PTPase activity and insulin-stimulated GDR. In five obese NIDDM subjects, weight loss of approximately 10% body wt resulted in a significant and corresponding increase in both particulate PTPase activity and insulin-stimulated GDR. These findings indicate that skeletal muscle particulate PTPase activity and PTPase1B protein content reflect in vivo insulin sensitivity and are reduced in insulin resistant states. We conclude that skeletal muscle PTPase activity is involved in the chronic, but not acute regulation of insulin action, and that the decreased enzyme activity may have a role in the insulin resistance of obesity and NIDDM.

Regulation of protein tyrosine phosphatases by insulin and insulin-like growth factor I.

In this study, we have examined the effects of insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I on protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) activity in rat L6 skeletal muscle cells. Under basal conditions, about 85% of total cellular PTPase activity was associated with the particulate (Triton X-100-soluble) fraction. Incubation of the cells with 100 nM insulin or IGF-I significantly increased particulate PTPase activity (p < 0.005) without altering activity in the supernatant or Triton X-100-insoluble fractions. Dose responses studies suggested that the effect of each hormone was mediated through its own receptor. PTPase activity was regulated by both acute and chronic insulin and IGF-I treatment. Maximal stimulation by both ligands occurred at 32 h and then declined. By using an antibody and a cDNA specific for PTPase1B, we found that the chronic stimulation of PTPase activity was accompanied by enhanced expression of PTPase1B mRNA and protein. Maximal induction of PTPase1B mRNA and protein by insulin and IGF-I occurred at 12 and 24 h, respectively. Based on these data, it can be suggested that ligand-stimulated PTPase activity might oppose tyrosine kinase-mediated insulin or IGF-I signal transmission and thus desensitize cells to long-term action by insulin and IGF-I. However, it is also possible that PTPase act as positive mediators of insulin and IGF-I action.

Transmembrane signaling by an insulin receptor lacking a cytoplasmic beta-subunit domain.

To assess the function of the cytoplasmic domain of the insulin receptor (IR) beta subunit, we have studied a mutant IR truncated by 365 aa (HIR delta 978), thereby deleting > 90% of the cytoplasmic domain. HIR delta 978 receptors were processed normally to homodimers that were expressed at the cell surface where they bind insulin with normal affinity. Although these truncated IRs were inactive with respect to ligand-induced internalization and autophosphorylation, insulin stimulated endogenous substrate (pp185) phosphorylation significantly more in HIR delta 978 cells than in untransfected Rat1 cells. Importantly, despite absence of the beta-subunit cytoplasmic domain, fibroblasts expressing HIR delta 978 receptors displayed enhanced sensitivity to insulin for stimulation of glucose incorporation into glycogen, alpha-aminoisobutyric acid uptake, thymidine incorporation, and S6 kinase activity compared with parental fibroblasts. Insulin also induced the expression of the protooncogene c-fos and the early growth response gene Egr-1 in HIR delta 978 cells far greater than in parental Rat1 fibroblasts. Furthermore, an agonistic monoclonal antibody specific for the human IR stimulated insulin action in fibroblasts expressing wild-type human IR but had no effect on HIR delta 978 cells. In conclusion, the HIR delta 978 truncated IRs appear to confer enhanced insulin sensitivity by augmenting the signaling properties of the endogenous rodent IRs.

A truncated human insulin receptor missing the COOH-terminal 365 amino acid residues does not undergo insulin-mediated receptor migration or aggregation.

A previous study of tyrosine kinase-defective insulin receptors demonstrated that receptor autophosphorylation or tyrosine kinase activity was required for concentrating insulin receptors in coated pits, but not for their migration or aggregation on the cell surface. Furthermore, receptor migration and aggregation on the cell surface were not sufficient to cause internalization of the occupied receptors in coated pits. In the present study, biochemical and ultrastructural techniques were used to compare insulin receptor mobility and internalization in Rat 1 fibroblasts expressing wild-type human insulin receptors (HIRc) with those in cells expressing receptors truncated at residues 978 (HIR delta 978) or 1301 of the carboxyl-terminus (HIR delta CT). There were no significant differences in the mobility or internalization of insulin receptors on HIR delta CT cells compared to those of insulin receptors on HIRc cells. Ultrastructural analysis revealed that truncated insulin receptors on HIR delta 978 cells failed to migrate from their initial location on the microvilli, move to the plasma membrane, and aggregate in coated pits. Receptor-mediated insulin internalization in HIR delta 978 cells was markedly decreased due entirely to a decrease in ATP-dependent, coated pit-mediated internalization. ATP-independent endocytosis in non-coated pinocytotic invaginations was not affected by receptor truncations. These results provide evidence of the roles that regions of the beta-subunit play in the processing of occupied insulin receptors. 1) The carboxyl-terminus of the insulin receptor is not involved in the events leading to receptor internalization, i.e. migration, aggregation, and concentration in coated pits. 2) Internalization of insulin receptors by the ATP-independent noncoated invagination pathway is not regulated by residues in the insulin receptor beta-subunit distal to 978. 3) Sequences in the beta-subunit between 978-1300, but not the autophosphorylation and kinase domains, are involved in insulin-induced receptor migration and aggregation.

Analysis of the gene sequences of the insulin receptor and the insulin-sensitive glucose transporter (GLUT-4) in patients with common-type non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Insulin resistance is a common feature of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and "diabetes susceptibility genes" may be involved in this abnormality. Two potential candidate genes are the insulin receptor (IR) and the insulin-sensitive glucose transporter (GLUT-4). To elucidate whether structural defects in the IR and/or GLUT-4 could be a primary cause of insulin resistance in NIDDM, we have sequenced the entire coding region of the GLUT-4 gene from DNA of six NIDDM patients. Since binding properties of the IRs from NIDDM subjects are normal, we also analyzed the sequence of exons 16-22 (encoding the entire cytoplasmic domain of the IR) of the IR gene from the same six patients. When compared with the normal IR sequence, no difference was found in the predicted amino acid sequence of the IR cytoplasmic domain derived from the NIDDM patients. Sequence analysis of the GLUT-4 gene revealed that one patient was heterozygous for a mutation in which isoleucine (ATC) was substituted for valine (GTC) at position 383. Consequently, the GLUT-4 sequence at position 383 was determined in 24 additional NIDDM patients and 30 nondiabetic controls and all showed only the normal sequence. From these studies, we conclude that the insulin resistance seen in the great majority of subjects with the common form of NIDDM is not due to genetic variation in the coding sequence of the IR beta subunit, nor to any single mutation in the GLUT-4 gene. Possibly, a subpopulation of NIDDM patients exists displaying variation in the GLUT-4 gene.

Cloning, sequencing, and expression of two murine 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetases. Structure-function relationships.

2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetases constitute a multimember family of interferon-inducible enzymes which need double-stranded RNA as an obligatory cofactor. We have isolated cDNA clones for two new murine synthetases. These two clones, 9-2 and 3-9, encoded proteins of 414 and 363 amino acid residues, respectively, out of which the amino terminal 346 residues were almost identical. They were also very similar to the corresponding regions of human synthetases E16 and E18. On the other hand, the carboxyl-terminal 68 residues of clone 9-2 had no homology with the carboxyl-terminal residues of E18. These murine clones had only 67% amino acid identity with the previously isolated murine synthetase clone L3. 9-2 and 3-9 proteins were expressed efficiently by in vitro transcription and translation of cDNA clones containing the synthetase coding regions preceded by the 5'-untranslated region of the vesicular stomatitis virus NS gene. These in vitro synthetized proteins bound to double-stranded RNA and catalyzed the synthesis of 2'-5' oligoadenylates. A nested set of deletion mutants of the 9-2 clone was produced by restriction digestion and polymerase chain reaction. Functional testing of the corresponding truncated proteins revealed that a region between amino acid residues 104 and 158 was necessary for binding to double-stranded RNA and a region between residues 320 and 344 was necessary for enzyme activity. Moreover substitution of the lysine residue at position 333 by arginine did not affect the enzyme activity.

Insulin resistance and diabetes due to different mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain of both insulin receptor gene alleles.

Mutations in the insulin receptor gene can lead to in vivo and in vitro insulin resistance and can be the cause of diabetes mellitus in selected patients. We have studied a 22-year-old diabetic woman with Type A insulin resistance and acanthosis nigricans. Insulin binding to the patient's erythrocytes, monocytes, adipocytes, fibroblasts, and transformed lymphocytes was decreased. Receptor autophosphorylation and tyrosine kinase activity toward an exogenous substrate were reduced in partially purified insulin receptors from the proband's transformed lymphocytes. Determination of the nucleotide sequence of the patient's insulin receptor cDNA revealed that the subject was a compound heterozygote who inherited two different mutant insulin receptor gene alleles. The paternal allele contains a missense mutation encoding the substitution of glutamine for arginine at position 981 in the tyrosine kinase domain of the receptor. The maternal allele contains a nonsense mutation causing premature termination after amino acid 988 in the beta-subunit, thereby deleting most of the kinase domain. The mRNA encoded by the allele with the premature stop codon is likely to be unstable, since mRNA transcripts from this allele were decreased markedly compared with the other allele. The mother, who is heterozygous for the nonsense mutation, exhibited only mild insulin resistance, whereas the proband was severely insulin-resistant; this indicates that the missense mutation is biologically significant. In summary, (1) we have identified a patient and her family with a genetic form of insulin resistance and diabetes due to a defect at the level of the insulin receptor; (2) the proband is a compound heterozygote displaying a missense mutation (position 981) in one allele and a nonsense mutation (position 988) in the other insulin receptor gene allele; (3) the missense mutation is in the kinase domain and encodes a receptor with impaired in vitro kinase activity; and (4) based on the in vitro and in vivo phenotype, the kinase domain mutation at position 981 is biologically significant leading to insulin resistance.