An antibody that blocks insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding to the type II IGF receptor is neither an agonist nor an inhibitor of IGF-stimulated biologic responses in L6 myoblasts

To better define the biologic function of the type II insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptor, we raised a blocking antiserum in a rabbit by immunizing with highly purified rat type II IGF receptor. On immunoblots of crude type II receptor preparations, only bands corresponding to the type II IGF receptor were seen with IgG 3637, indicating that the antiserum was specific for the type II receptor. Competitive binding and chemical cross-linking experiments showed that IgG 3637 blocked binding of 125I-IGF-II to the rat type II IGF receptor, but did not block binding of 125I-IGF-I to the type I IGF receptor, nor did IgG 3637 block binding of 125I-insulin to the insulin receptor. In addition, IgG 3637 did not inhibit the binding of 125I-IGF-II to partially purified 150- and 40-kDa IGF carrier proteins from adult and fetal rat serum. L6 myoblasts have both type I and type II IGF receptors. IGF-I was more potent than IGF-II in stimulating N-methyl-alpha-[14C]aminoisobutyric acid uptake, 2-[3H]deoxyglucose uptake, and [3H]leucine incorporation into cellular proteins. IgG 3637 did not stimulate either 2-[3H]deoxyglucose uptake, N-methyl-alpha-[14C]aminoisobutyric acid uptake, or [3H]leucine incorporation into protein when tested alone. Furthermore, IgG 3637 at concentrations sufficient to block type II receptors under conditions of the uptake and incorporation experiments did not cause a shift to the right of the dose-response curve for stimulation of these biologic functions by IGF-II. We conclude that the type II IGF receptor does not mediate IGF stimulation of N-methyl-alpha-[14C]aminoisobutyric acid and 2-[3H]deoxyglucose uptake and protein synthesis in L6 myoblasts; presumably, the type I receptor mediates these biologic responses. The anti-type II receptor antibody inhibited IGF-II degradation in the media by greater than 90%, suggesting that the major degradative pathway for IGF-II in L6 myoblasts utilizes the type II IGF receptor.     

The chicken liver cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor lacks the high affinity binding site for insulin-like growth factor II

The chicken liver cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor has been purified to apparent homogeneity by affinity chromatography on pentamannose phosphate-Sepharose and tested for its ability to bind iodinated human IGF-I, human IGF-II, and chicken IGF-II. In contrast to the bovine, rat, and human cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptors, which bind human IGF-II and IGF-I with nanomolar and micromolar affinities, respectively, the chicken receptor failed to bind either radioligand at receptor concentrations as high as 1 microM. The bovine receptor binds chicken IGF-II with high affinity while the chicken receptor binds this ligand with only low affinity, which we estimate to be in the micromolar range. These data demonstrate that the chicken cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor lacks the high affinity binding site for IGF-II. These results provide an explanation for the failure of previous investigators to identify the type II IGF receptor by IGF-II cross-linking to chicken cells and indicate that the mitogenic activity of IGF-II in chick embryo fibroblasts is most likely mediated via the type I IGF receptor.     

Evidence that type II insulin-like growth factor receptor is coupled to calcium gating system

In competent Balb/c 3T3 cells primed with epidermal growth factor (primed competent cells), insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) stimulated calcium influx in a concentration dependent manner with the ED50 of 450 pM. When receptor-bound [125I]IGF-II was cross-linked by use of disuccinimidyl suberate, a 240 K-Da protein was radiolabeled. Excess amount of unlabeled IGF-II inhibited the affinity-labeling of the 240 K-Da protein. To further examine whether IGF-II stimulates calcium influx by acting on the type II IGF receptor, we employed polyclonal antibody raised against rat type II IGF receptor, R-II-PABl. This antibody immunoprecipitated the type II IGF receptor and inhibited IGF-II binding in Balb/c 3T3 cell membrane without affecting IGF-I binding. In primed competent cells, R-II-PABl elicited an agonistic action in stimulating [3H]thymidine incorporation. Under the same condition, R-II-PABl elicited a marked stimulation of calcium influx. These results suggest that, in Balb/c 3T3 cells, 1) relatively low concentrations of IGF-II act mainly on the type II IGF receptor; 2) the type II IGF receptor is coupled to a calcium gating system; and 3) binding of a ligand to the type II IGF receptor leads to the stimulation of DNA synthesis.     

Insulin-like growth factor II binding and action in human fetal fibroblasts

To investigate the role of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) in human prenatal growth, IGF-II binding and biological action were studied in four lines of fetal and three lines of postnatal human fibroblasts. Specific binding of IGF-II was similar in both groups: 15.7% and 14.9% for fetal and postnatal fibroblasts, respectively. This was 5-10 times the amount of IGF-I binding found in these cells. IGF-I and IGF-II caused dose-dependent increases in [14C]aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) uptake. IGF-II was sevenfold less potent than IGF-I in stimulating this metabolic response in both fetal and postnatal fibroblasts. The maximal effect of IGF-II in stimulating [14C]AIB uptake approach that of IGF-I. Similar results were obtained when IGF-I and IGF-II stimulation of [3H]thymidine incorporation was compared in fetal and postnatal fibroblasts. Incubation in the presence of alpha IR-3, a monoclonal antibody to the type I IGF receptor, inhibited the ability of both IGF-I and IGF-II to stimulate [14C]AIB uptake and [3H]thymidine incorporation in fetal and postnatal cells. A monoclonal antibody to the insulin receptor did not affect IGF action. These data indicate that IGF-II is a potent metabolic and mitogenic stimulus for human fetal fibroblasts. However, despite the presence of abundant type II IGF receptors on both fetal and postnatal human fibroblasts, IGF-II stimulation of amino acid transport and DNA synthesis appears to be mediated through the type I rather than through its own type II IGF receptor.     

Receptor Binding, Endocytosis, and Mitogenesis of Insulin-Like Growth Factors I and II in Fetal Rat Brain Neurons

Cell surface binding, internalization, and biological effects of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) I and II have been studied in primary neuronal cultures from developing rat brain (embryonic day 15). Two types of IGF binding sites are present on the cell surface. The IGF-I receptor alpha-subunit (Mr 125,000) binds IGF-I with a KD of 1 nM and IGF-II with 10 times lower affinity. The mannose-6-phosphate (Man-6-P)/IGF-II receptor (Mr 250,000) binds IGF-II with a KD of 0.5 nM and IGF-I with 100 times lower affinity. Surface-bound IGF-I and IGF-II are internalized by their respective receptors binding and internalization of IGF-II but not those of IGF-I. Neuronal synthesis of RNA and DNA is increased twofold by IGF-I with 10 times higher potency than IGF-II. Antibody 3637, which blocks receptor binding of IGF-II, has no effect on the DNA response to IGF-I or IGF-II. Double immunocytochemical staining with antibodies to bromodeoxyuridine and neurofilament shows that greater than 80% of the bromodeoxyuridine-positive cells become neurofilament positive. It is concluded that IGF-I and IGF-II bind to two receptors on the surface of neuronal precursor cells that mediate endocytosis and degradation of IGF-I and IGF-II. Proliferation of neuronal precursor cells is stimulated by IGF-I and IGF-II via activation of the IGF-I receptor.     

Structure and functional analysis of the IGF-II/IGF2R interaction

Embryonic development and normal growth require exquisite control of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs). In mammals the extracellular region of the cation-independent mannose-6-phosphate receptor has gained an IGF-II-binding function and is termed type II IGF receptor (IGF2R). IGF2R sequesters IGF-II; imbalances occur in cancers and IGF2R is implicated in tumour suppression. We report crystal structures of IGF2R domains 11-12, 11-12-13-14 and domains 11-12-13/IGF-II complex. A distinctive juxtaposition of these domains provides the IGF-II-binding unit, with domain 11 directly interacting with IGF-II and domain 13 modulating binding site flexibility. Our complex shows that Phe19 and Leu53 of IGF-II lock into a hydrophobic pocket unique to domain 11 of mammalian IGF2Rs. Mutagenesis analyses confirm this IGF-II 'binding-hotspot', revealing that IGF-binding proteins and IGF2R have converged on the same high-affinity site.     

Mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor II receptor in I-cell disease fibroblasts: increased synthesis and defective regulation of cell surface expression.

The amount of mannose 6-phosphate/IGF II receptors in fibroblasts from five I-cell patients was about 2-fold higher than in control fibroblasts. The elevated receptor concentration, which led to a higher binding and uptake of mannose 6-phosphate containing ligands and to a higher binding of IGF II resulted from an increased rate of synthesis, while the stability of the receptor was comparable to that in control fibroblasts. Control fibroblasts respond to mannose 6-phosphate, IGF I, IGF II and tumor promoting phorbol esters with a rapid redistribution of mannose 6-phosphate/IGF II receptors from internal membranes to the cell surface. In I-cell fibroblasts only a moderate increase in cell surface receptors was seen after exposure to these effectors. In contrast to control fibroblasts the treatment of I-cell fibroblasts with lysosomotropic amines failed to affect the mannose 6-phosphate containing ligand binding to the receptor. These data provide evidence for multiple potential regulatory sites in intracellular mannose 6-phosphate/IGF II receptor pathway which differ in control and I-cell fibroblasts.     

Type I and II insulin-like growth factor receptors on human phytohemagglutinin-activated T lymphocytes

Human T cells activated with mitogens, antigens, or antibodies to the T-cell receptor complex acquire a cascade of new receptors, including the receptors for interleukin-2, transferrin, and insulin. We investigated whether receptors for insulin-like growth factors (IGF) also were expressed on activated T cells. Based on competitive binding studies, immunoprecipitation of labeled cell surface receptors and blocking of radiolabeled peptide binding by a specific monoclonal antibody (alpha IR-3) to the type I IGF receptor, as well as affinity crosslinking of radiolabeled peptides to their receptors, we concluded that both type I and type II IGF receptors are expressed on activated T cells. A specific binding site for IGF-II also was observed on the type I IGF receptor which was not inhibited by alpha IR-3. Receptors for IGF were more numerous on activated T cells than on resting T cells, and their peak expression appeared by the peak of DNA synthesis. Thus, human activated T cells were shown to express both type I and II IGF receptors which could potentially play a role in the regulation of T-cell proliferation, differentiation, and function.     

Chromosomal mapping of the gene for the type II insulin-like growth factor receptor/cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor in man and mouse

The gene for insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) receptor (IGF2R) that has recently been found, by DNA sequencing, to be identical to the cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor (CIM6PR) has been mapped in the human and murine species. Cloned cDNAs for human and rat IGF-II receptors were used to probe Southern blots of somatic cell hybrid DNA and for in situ chromosomal hybridization. The genes are located in a region of other conserved syntenic genes on the long arm of human chromosome 6, region 6q25----q27, and mouse chromosome 17, region A-C. The CIM6PR/IGF2R locus in man is asyntenic with the genes encoding IGF-II (IGF2), the IGF-I receptor (IGF1R), and the cation-dependent mannose 6-phosphate receptor (CDM6PR).     

Madin-Darby canine kidney cells display type I and type II insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptors

Using affinity cross-linking techniques, we report the presence of type I IGF and type II IGF receptors in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells, a line of cells lacking insulin receptors. The IGF receptors were further characterized by competition binding studies and found to be similar to IGF receptors in other tissue types. In Madin-Darby canine kidney cells, the type I IGF receptor binds IGF-I greater than IGF-II greater than insulin and the type II IGF receptor binds IGF-II and IGF-I with approximately the same affinity, but does not bind insulin.     

Biochemical evidence that the type II insulin-like growth factor receptor is identical to the cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor

Cloning and sequencing of the human type II insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptor cDNA revealed an 80% deduced amino acid sequence homology with the bovine cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate (Man-6-P) receptor, suggesting identity of the two receptors (Morgan, D. O., Edman, J. C., Standring, D. N., Fried, V. A., Smith, M. C., Roth, R. A., and Rutter, W. J. (1987) Nature 329, 301-307). We have performed biochemical experiments that support this proposal. Rat liver type II IGF receptor, purified by the conventional method of IGF-II affinity chromatography, bound quantitatively to a beta-galactosidase affinity column and was eluted with Man-6-P. Bovine liver Man-6-P receptor, prepared by the conventional method of affinity chromatography on phosphomannan-Sepharose, bound IGF-II with high affinity (Kd = 1 nM). Affinity cross-linking of 125I-IGF-II to the Man-6-P receptor and analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis showed that beta-galactosidase, but not Man-6-P, inhibited the formation of the 250-kDa 125I-IGF-II-receptor complex. The inhibition by beta-galactosidase was prevented by coincubation with Man-6-P. 125I-IGF-II did not bind to the 46-kDa cation-dependent Man-6-P receptor. For immunologic studies we purified type II IGF receptors and Man-6-P receptors in parallel from rat placental membranes using either IGF-II- or beta-galactosidase affinity chromatography. A panel of five antisera that previously had been raised against either type II IGF receptor or Man-6-P receptor behaved identically toward type II IGF receptor versus Man-6-P receptor in ligand blocking and immunoprecipitation assays. Our data support the conclusion that the type II IGF receptor and the cation-independent Man-6-P receptor are the same protein and that the IGF-II and Man-6-P-binding sites are distinct.     

Receptors for insulin-like growth factors I and II in developing embryonic mouse limb bud

Insulin-like growth factors (IGF) or somatomedins (SM) have been classically defined as promoting the actions of growth hormone in skeletal growth. IGF is divided into two groups, IGF-I and II, and are presumed to act via IGF type I (higher affinity for IGF-I and II and very low affinity for insulin) and II (higher affinity for IGF-II than I and no affinity for insulin) receptors, respectively. Recently, a switchover role of IGF-II to I during fetal to adult growth has been suggested. We have investigated the possible transitional role of IGF-II to I in a developing mouse embryonic limb bud organ culture model. In this in vitro system, limb bud develops from the blastoma stage to a well-differentiated cartilage tissue. Both IGF type I and II receptors were found to be present in limb buds at all stages of differentiation. Type I receptor decreased with differentiation while Type II receptor increased. The effect of IGF-I on [3H]thymidine and [35S]sulfate uptake by the tissue increased with differentiation while the effect of IGF-II on [3H]thymidine uptake of the undifferentiated tissue was abolished with differentiation of the tissue. The increase of the IGF-I response with decreased type I receptor may reflect an altered receptor sensitivity (occupancy) during differentiation. The decrease of the IGF-II response with increased type II receptor with differentiation may on the other hand suggest that IGF-II in differentiated tissue no longer acts as a classical growth factor. These results tend to support the hypothesis of the switchover role of IGF-I and II during fetal and adult growth, however, confirmation of the precise role of IGF-I and II in biological growth may have to wait until further studies clarifying the significance of the increased IGF type II receptor in differentiated tissue are made.     

Mannose 6-phosphate/insulin like growth factor II receptor: the two types of ligands bind simultaneously to one receptor at different sites

Pentamannose 6-phosphate/trilysine substituted aprotinin (PMP-lys-aprotinin) and insulin like growth factor II (IGF II) were used as affinity ligands for the mannose 6-phosphate (M6P) and IGF II binding sites of the M6P/IGF II receptor. Both ligands were cross linked to intact receptor and tryptic fragments of the receptor. The pattern of receptor fragments with M6P and IGF II binding sites differed indicating that the two binding sites are located on different segments of the receptor. The receptor was incubated with [125I]IGF II and pentamannose 6-phosphate substituted bovine serum albumin (PMP-BSA). From these mixtures [125I]IGF II receptor complexes could be precipitated with antibodies against the PMP-BSA indicating that the M6P/IGF II receptor can bind simultaneously IGF II and M6P-containing ligands.     

Interactions of the receptor for insulin-like growth factor II with mannose-6-phosphate and antibodies to the mannose-6-phosphate receptor

Recently, the sequence of the human receptor for insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) was found to be 80% identical [Morgan et al., (1987) Nature 329, 301-307] to the sequence of a partial clone of the bovine cation-independent mannose-6-phosphate receptor [Lobel et al., (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84, 2233-2237]. In the present study, the purified receptor for insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) was found to react with two different polyclonal antibodies to the purified mannose-6-phosphate receptor. Moreover, mannose-6-phosphate was found to stimulate the binding of labeled IGF-II to the IGF-II receptor by two-fold. This effect had the same specificity and affinity as the reported binding of mannose-6-phosphate to its receptor; mannose-1-phosphate and mannose had no effect on the binding of labeled IGF-II to its receptor, and the half-maximally effective concentration of mannose-6-phosphate was 0.3 mM. Also, mannose-6-phosphate did not affect labeled IGF-II binding to the insulin receptor. These results support the hypothesis that a single protein of Mr-250,000 binds both IGF-II and mannose-6-phosphate. Furthermore, they indicate that mannose-6-phosphate can modulate the interaction of IGF-II to its receptor.     

The type II insulin-like growth factor receptor does not mediate increased DNA synthesis in H-35 hepatoma cells

The immunoglobulin fraction prepared from the serum of a rabbit immunized with purified type II insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptor from rat placenta was tested for its specificity in inhibiting receptor binding of 125I-IGF II and for its ability to modulate IGF II action on rat hepatoma H-35 cells. The specific binding of 125I-IGF II to plasma membrane preparations from several rat cell types and tissues was inhibited by the anti-IGF II receptor Ig. Affinity cross-linking of 125I-IGF II to the Mr = 250,000 type II IGF receptor structure in rat liver membranes was blocked by the anti-receptor Ig, while no effect on affinity labeling of insulin receptor with 125I-insulin or IGF I receptor with 125I-IGF I or 125I-IGF II was observed. The specific inhibition of ligand binding to the IGF II receptor by anti-receptor Ig was species-specific such that mouse receptor was less potently inhibited and human receptor was unaffected. Rat hepatoma H-35 cells contain insulin and IGF II receptor, but not IGF I receptor, and respond half-maximally to insulin at 10(-10) M and to IGF II at higher concentrations with increased cell proliferation (Massague, J., Blinderman, L.A., and Czech, M.P. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 13958-13963). Addition of anti-IGF II receptor Ig to intact H-35 cells inhibited the specific binding of 125I-IGF II to the cells by 70-90%, but had no detectable effect on 125I-insulin binding. Significantly, under identical conditions anti-IGF II receptor Ig was without effect on IGF II action on DNA synthesis at both submaximal and maximal concentrations of IGF II. This finding and the higher concentrations of IGF II required for growth promotion in comparison to insulin strongly suggest that the Mr = 250,000 receptor structure for IGF II is not involved in mediating this physiological response. Rather, at least in H-35 cells, the insulin receptor appears to mediate the effects of IGF II on cell growth. Consistent with this interpretation, anti-insulin receptor Ig but not anti-IGF II receptor Ig mimicked the ability of growth factors to stimulate DNA synthesis in H-35 cells. We conclude that the IGF II receptor may not play a role in transmembrane signaling, but rather serves some other physiological function.     

Insulin-like growth factors in sheep thyroid cells: action, receptors and production

Sheep thyroid cells cultured in serum-free medium were used to study the biologic activity, binding, and production of the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs). IGF-I, IGF-II, and insulin stimulated thyroid cell division. Abundant, specific IGF receptors on sheep thyroid cell membranes were identified by binding displacement studies. Maximal specific binding of [125I]-labeled IGF-I and IGF-II to 25 micrograms of membrane protein averaged 21% and 27% respectively. The presence of type I and type II IGF receptors was confirmed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of [125I]IGFs covalently cross-linked to cell membranes. Under reducing conditions, [125I]IGF-I bound to a moiety of approximate Mr = 135,000 and [125I]IGF-II to a moiety of approximate Mr = 260,000. Cross-linking of [125I]IGF-I to medium conditioned by thyroid cells indicated the presence of four IGF binding proteins with apparent Mr = 34,000, 26,000, 19,000 and 14,000. Thyroid cells also secreted IGF-I and II into the medium. IGF synthesis was enhanced consistently by recombinant growth hormone. These data indicate that sheep thyroid cells are a site for IGF action, binding, and production and provide further evidence that IGFs may modulate thyroid gland growth in an autocrine or paracrine manner.     

Chicken and Xenopus mannose 6-phosphate receptors fail to bind insulin-like growth factor II

The recent demonstration that a single mammalian receptor protein binds both mannose 6-phosphate (Man-6-P) and insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) with high affinity has suggested a multifunctional physiological role for this receptor, possibly including signal transduction. In order to better understand the functions of this receptor, we have investigated the properties of Man-6-P receptors from non-mammalian species. Receptors were affinity-purified from Triton X-100 extracts of total membranes from Xenopus and chicken liver as well as rat placenta using pentamannosyl 6-phosphate-Sepharose. The Man-6-P receptor was adsorbed to the pentamannosyl 6-phosphate-Sepharose and specifically eluted by Man-6-P in all three species, as evaluated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by silver staining. When the purified receptors from these three species were cross-linked to 125I-IGF-II with disuccinimidyl suberate, only receptors isolated from rat membranes were affinity-labeled. To further evaluate the properties of these Man-6-P receptors, binding of 125I-rat-IGF-II and 125I-chicken Tyr-Gly-Thr-Ala-IGF-II to purified receptors from Xenopus, chicken, and rat was evaluated by polyethylene glycol precipitation. Only the rat Man-6-P receptor exhibited detectable binding of 125I-IGF-II. These data suggest that the emergence of a high affinity IGF-II binding site on the Man-6-P receptor occurred in evolution after the divergence of mammals from other vertebrates. Thus, the biological actions of IGF-II in chickens and frogs appear to be initiated by the type I IGF receptor.     

Disruption of ligand binding to the insulin-like growth factor II/mannose 6-phosphate receptor by cancer-associated missense mutations.

The insulin-like growth factor II/mannose 6-phosphate receptor (IGF2R) carries out multiple regulatory and transport functions, and disruption of IGF2R function has been implicated as a mechanism to increase cell proliferation. Several missense IGF2R mutations have been identified in human cancers, including the following amino acid substitutions occurring in the extracytoplasmic domain of the receptor: Cys-1262 --> Ser, Gln-1445 --> His, Gly-1449 --> Val, Gly-1464 --> Glu, and Ile-1572 --> Thr. To determine what effects these mutations have on IGF2R function, mutant and wild-type FLAG epitope-tagged IGF2R constructs lacking the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains were characterized for binding of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-II and a mannose 6-phosphate-bearing pseudoglycoprotein termed PMP-BSA (where PMP is pentamannose phosphate and BSA is bovine serum albumin). The Ile-1572 --> Thr mutation eliminated IGF-II binding while not affecting PMP-BSA binding. Gly-1449 --> Val and Cys-1262 --> Ser each showed 30-60% decreases in the number of sites available to bind both (125)I-IGF-II and (125)I-PMP-BSA. In addition, the Gln-1445 --> His mutant underwent a time-dependent loss of IGF-II binding, but not PMP-BSA binding, that was not observed for wild type. In all, four of the five cancer-associated mutants analyzed demonstrated altered ligand binding, providing further evidence that loss of IGF2R function is characteristic of certain cancers.     

Kinetics of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) interaction with domain 11 of the human IGF-II/mannose 6-phosphate receptor: function of CD and AB loop solvent-exposed residues

Ligands of the IGF-II/mannose 6-phosphate receptor (IGF2R) include IGF-II and mannose 6-phosphate modified proteins. Disruption of the negative regulatory effects of IGF2R on IGF-II-induced growth can lead to embryonic lethality and cancer promotion. Of the 15 IGF2R extracellular domains, domains 1-3 and 11 are known to have a conserved beta-barrel structure similar to that of avidin and the cation-dependent mannose 6-phosphate receptor, yet only domain 11 binds IGF-II with high specificity and affinity. In order to define the functional basis of this critical biological interaction, we performed alanine mutagenesis of structurally determined solvent-exposed loop residues of the IGF-II-binding site of human domain 11, expressed these mutant forms in Pichia pastoris, and determined binding kinetics with human IGF-II using isothermal calorimetry and surface plasmon resonance with transition state thermodynamics. Two hydrophobic residues in the CD loop (F1567 and I1572) were essential for binding, with a further non-hydrophobic residue (T1570) that slows the dissociation rate. Aside from alanine mutations of AB loop residues that decrease affinity by modifying dissociation rates (e.g. Y1542), a novel mutation (E1544A) of the AB loop enhanced affinity by threefold compared to wild-type. Conversion from an acidic to a basic residue at this site (E1544K) results in a sixfold enhancement of affinity via modification principally of the association rate, with enhanced salt-dependence, decreased entropic barrier and retained specificity. These data suggest that a functional hydrophobic binding site core is formed by I1572 and F1567 located in the CD loop, which initially anchors IGF-II. Within the AB loop, residues normally act to either stabilise or function as negative regulators of the interaction. These findings have implications for the molecular architecture and evolution of the domain 11 IGF-II-binding site, and the potential interactions with other domains of IGF2R.