Effect of alternative glycosylation on insulin receptor processing.

The mature insulin receptor is a cell surface heterotetrameric glycoprotein composed of two alpha- and two beta-subunits. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes as in other cell types, the receptor is synthesized as a single polypeptide consisting of uncleaved alpha- and beta-subunits, migrating as a 190-kDa glycoprotein. To examine the importance of N-linked glycosylation on insulin receptor processing, we have used glucose deprivation as a tool to alter protein glycosylation. Western blot analysis shows that glucose deprivation led to a time-dependent accumulation of an alternative proreceptor of 170 kDa in a subcellular fraction consistent with endoplasmic reticulum localization. Co-precipitation assays provide evidence that the alternative proreceptor bound GRP78, an endoplasmic reticulum molecular chaperone. N-Glycosidase F treatment shows that the alternative proreceptor contained N-linked oligosaccharides. Yet, endoglycosidase H insensitivity indicates an aberrant oligosaccharide structure. Using pulse-chase methodology, we show that the synthetic rate was similar between the normal and alternative proreceptor. However, the normal proreceptor was processed into alpha- and beta-subunits (t((1)/(2)) = 1.3 +/- 0.6 h), while the alternative proreceptor was degraded (t((1)/(2)) = 5.1 +/- 0.6 h). Upon refeeding cells that were initially deprived of glucose, the alternative proreceptor was processed to a higher molecular weight form and gained sensitivity to endoglycosidase H. This "intermediate" form of the proreceptor was also degraded, although a small fraction escaped degradation, resulting in cleavage to the alpha- and beta-subunits. These data provide evidence for the first time that glucose deprivation leads to the accumulation of an alternative proreceptor, which can be post-translationally glycosylated with the readdition of glucose inducing both accelerated degradation and maturation.     

Post-translational acquisition of insulin binding activity by the insulin proreceptor. Correlation to recognition by autoimmune antibody

The post-translational acquisition of ligand binding activity by the insulin receptor was examined in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In pulse-chase experiments with [35S] methionine, labeled receptor species were separated into "active" and "inactive" forms by affinity chromatography on insulin-agarose and then were characterized and quantitated. It was found that the newly translated high molecular weight proreceptor lacks the capacity to bind insulin. The acquisition of binding activity is relatively slow (t1/2 = 45 min) and occurs prior to conversion of the proreceptor to the mature alpha- and beta-subunits by proteolytic cleavage and maturation of its N-linked oligosaccharide chains (t1/2 = 3 h). Glycosylation appears to be required for this activation since the aglycoproreceptor, synthesized in the presence of tunicamycin, does not acquire insulin binding activity. However, once the proreceptor has acquired ligand binding activity, removal of its N-linked oligosaccharide chains with endoglycosidase H has no effect on the ability of the proreceptor to bind insulin. The modification of the proreceptor to bind insulin. The modification of the proreceptor that gives rise to insulin binding activity most likely involves a conformational change in the binding domain. A human autoimmune antibody that recognizes only the active insulin binding site does not interact with the inactive proreceptor, whereas a rabbit polyclonal antireceptor antibody recognizes all forms. Thus, the autoimmune antibody must recognize a new epitope created during conversion of the inactive proreceptor to the active form.     

Post-translational changes in tertiary and quaternary structure of the insulin proreceptor. Correlation with acquisition of function

Tertiary and quaternary structural changes that occur during post-translational processing of the insulin proreceptor were examined in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In pulse-chase experiments with [35S]methionine, labeled insulin receptor species, isolated by immuno- and insulin-affinity adsorption, were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under conditions where intra- and intermolecular disulfide bonds remained intact or were cleaved by reduction. Reducing SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis confirmed that the insulin receptor is synthesized as a long-lived (t1/2 = 3 h) proreceptor precursor of 210 kDa which undergoes proteolytic cleavage and carbohydrate maturation to form the alpha- and beta-subunits of the mature receptor. The proreceptor acquires insulin binding activity through a subtle structural change (t1/2 = 45 min) detected only by an autoimmune antibody specific for an epitope of the active insulin binding site. Analysis of insulin receptor species by nonreducing SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that the proreceptor undergoes two additional structural changes not detected by reducing SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The proreceptor is synthesized as a monomer (M1) with an apparent molecular mass of 170 kDa that is converted by disulfide rearrangement to another monomeric form of 190-kDa apparent molecular mass (M2). N-Linked glycosylation is required for this transition, since aglycoproreceptor, synthesized in the presence of tunicamycin, does not undergo any detectable tertiary or quaternary structural changes. M2 self-associates to form a disulfide-linked proreceptor dimer (D) which is subsequently proteolytically processed, forming the mature, disulfide-linked alpha 2 beta 2 receptor tetramer. The mature receptor was distinguished from the three proreceptor species (M1, M2, and D) by its cell surface location and its ability to bind tightly to wheat germ agglutinin-agarose, indicating the presence of complex oligosaccharide chains. Subcellular fractionation indicated that both the M1 to M2 and M2 to D conversions occur in the endoplasmic reticulum. Separation of the nonreduced proreceptor species into "active" and "inactive" forms by affinity chromatography on insulin-agarose revealed that neither the transition of M1 to M2, nor of M2 to D, is correlated with the acquisition of insulin binding function. Rather, during its life-time, the M2 species acquires insulin binding activity and an epitope recognized by a binding site specific autoimmune antibody through a subtle structural change not detected by reducing or nonreducing SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.     

Characterization of an insulin receptor mutant lacking the subunit processing site

An insulin receptor mutant was constructed utilizing site-directed mutagenesis to delete the Arg-Lys-Arg-Arg basic amino acid cleavage site (positions 720-723) from the cDNA encoding the human insulin proreceptor. This mutant was transfected into Chinese hamster ovary cells. Immunoprecipitation of metabolically labeled cells revealed a 205-kDa proreceptor which bound to wheat germ agglutinin. Processed 130-kDa alpha and 95-kDa beta subunits were also observed and contained approximately 20% as much protein as the proreceptor on a molar basis. Trypsin digestion of intact metabolically labeled cells decreased the proreceptor band by 80%. Pulse-chase studies revealed a half-life of 28 h for the proreceptor. When cells were photolabeled with 125I-B2(2-nitro-4-azidophenylacetyl)-des-PheB1 (NAPA)-insulin, the proreceptor incorporated 10% as much label as the 130-kDa alpha subunit in spite of a 5-fold molar excess. Incubation of NAPA-labeled cells at 37 degrees C for 20 min resulted in 60% of the labeled subunits, but little labeled proreceptor, becoming resistant to trypsin degradation. Immunoprecipitation of NAPA-insulin-stimulated cells with anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies revealed that 62% of the processed labeled receptors, but very little proreceptor, contained phosphotyrosine. Thus, this mutant receptor is synthesized, glycosylated, and expressed on the cell surface as uncleaved proreceptor, although some processing to alpha and beta subunits still occurs. It exhibits a markedly decreased affinity for insulin, and when insulin is bound to, demonstrates defective internalization, down-regulation, and autophosphorylation. These data suggest that cleavage of the mutant proreceptor into subunits is required not only for the development of high affinity binding sites, but also for normal transduction of the signal which activates the beta subunit tyrosine kinase.     

Post-translational processing and activation of insulin and EGF proreceptors

We have investigated the role of glycosylation on the post-translational processing of the insulin, and EGF proreceptor polypeptides. Following translation of the insulin proreceptor, by 3T3-L1 adipocytes, about 1.5 h are required for its conversion into active receptor; an additional 1.5 h are needed for the active receptor to reach the plasma membrane. During this 3-hour period the proreceptor undergoes a complex series of processing events, glycosylation being an essential processing step. Thus, treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with tunicamycin caused the loss of cellular insulin binding activity and the accumulation of an inactive aglyco-proreceptor. Similarly, it was demonstrated in human A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells that the initial EGF-proreceptor (160 kDa) translation product undergoes a slow (t 1/2 = 30 min) processing step by which ligand (EGF) binding activity was acquired. It was shown that N-linked core oligosaccharide addition is essential for this critical processing step and the acquisition of EGF binding activity. This was found not to require the conversion of high mannose chains to complex chains which have been capped with fucose and sialic acid. Possible explanations for this activation in terms of translocation of intermediates and/or formation of disulfide bonds are discussed. To investigate post-translational processing of normal insulin proreceptor and the role of glycosylation in active receptor formation, metabolic labeling experiments were conducted. The first 35S-methionine-labeled intermediate detected is a 190 kDa polypeptide (proreceptor) which is rapidly (t 1/2 = 15 min) processed into a 210 kDa species. Both polypeptides contain N-linked core oligosaccharide chains, but in the latter case these chains appear to contain terminal N-acetylglucosamine. The 210 kDa precursor is converted slowly (t 1/2 = 2 h) by proteolytic processing into a 125 kDa (alpha') and 83 kDa (beta') species. Immediately prior to insertion into the plasma membrane, 3 h after its synthesis, the alpha' and beta' precursors are converted to mature receptor comprised of alpha-(135 kDa) and beta-(95 kDa) subunits. The 125 kDa alpha'- and 83 kDa beta'-subunit precursors are endoglycosidase H-sensitive and their oligosaccharide chains do not contain terminal sialic acid. Just prior to insertion into the plasma membrane the alpha' and beta' precursors are sialylated, apparently in the Golgi apparatus, giving rise to the 135 kDa alpha and 95 kDa beta receptor subunits and become Endo H-resistant and neuraminidase-sensitive. A proposed sequence of post-translational processing events for the insulin proreceptor is shown in Figure 10.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Effects of castanospermine and 1-deoxynojirimycin on insulin receptor biogenesis. Evidence for a role of glucose removal from core oligosaccharides

The insulin proreceptor is a 190-kDa glycoprotein that is processed to mature alpha (135-kDa) and beta (95-kDa) subunits. In order to determine the role of carbohydrate chain processing in insulin receptor biogenesis, we investigated the effect of inhibiting glucose removal from core oligosaccharides of the insulin proreceptor with glucosidase inhibitors, castanospermine and 1-deoxynojirimycin. Cultured IM-9 lymphocytes treated with inhibitors had 50% reduction in surface insulin receptors as demonstrated by ligand binding, affinity cross-linking with 125I-insulin, and lactoperoxidase/Na 125I labeling studies. Degradation rates of surface labeled receptors were similar in both control and inhibitor-treated cells (t1/2 = 5 h); thus, accelerated receptor degradation could not account for this reduction. Biosynthetic labeling experiments with [3H]leucine and [3H]mannose identified an apparently higher molecular size proreceptor (approximately 205 kDa) that failed to show the characteristic decline with time as seen in the normal 190-kDa proreceptor. Along with this finding, the biosynthetic label appearing in the mature subunits was reduced in these inhibitor-treated cells. Endoglycosidase H treatment of both precursors produced identical 170-kDa bands. Carbohydrate chains released from the 205-kDa precursor by endoglycosidase H migrated in the same position as the Glc2-3Man9GlcNAc standards when separated by high performance liquid chromatography, whereas the 190-kDa proreceptor oligosaccharides migrated similar to the Man7-9GlcNAc chains. Although the mature subunits of control and inhibitor-treated cells demonstrated equal electrophoretic mobility, the endoglycosidase H-sensitive oligosaccharides of the mature subunits in treated cells also contained residues that migrated similar to the Glc2-3Man9GlcNAc standards. Thus, glucose removal from core oligosaccharides is apparently not necessary for the cleavage of the insulin proreceptor, but does delay processing of this precursor, which probably accounts for the reduction in cell-surface receptors.     

Role of glycosylation in the processing of newly translated insulin proreceptor in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

A procedure was developed for the immunoprecipitation of glycosylated and nonglycosylated forms of the insulin receptor and its precursors without prior purification using lectins. 3T3-L1 adipocytes were labeled with [35S]methionine after which 35S-labeled receptor polypeptides were specifically immunoprecipitated and characterized by sodium dodecyl sulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The first 35S-polypeptide detected was a 190-kDa glycosylated proreceptor which was rapidly (t1/2 approximately equal to 15 min) processed to a 210-kDa intermediate. The latter precursor was more slowly (t1/2 approximately equal to 2 h) proteolytically processed to 125-kDa (alpha') and 83-kDa (beta') precursors of the mature alpha- and beta-receptor subunits. Immediately prior to insertion into the plasma membrane, i.e. about 3 h after translation, the alpha'- and beta'-precursor polypeptides were converted to the mature 135-kDa alpha- and 95-kDa beta-receptor subunits. The characteristics of the oligosaccharide moieties of the receptor precursors and products were investigated. The 210-kDa precursor and its two products, the 125-kDa alpha'- and 83-kDa beta'-species, and the mature alpha- and beta-receptor subunits bind tightly to wheat germ lectin, whereas the 190-kDa proreceptor species is not bound. Upon incubation with endoglycosidase H, both the 210- and 190-kDa species are converted to a 180-kDa species. The 125-kDa alpha'- and 83-kDa beta'-species are also cleaved by endoglycosidase H, being reduced in size to 97 and 79 kDa, respectively. Based on their sensitivity to endoglycosidase H and insensitivity to neuraminidase, the oligosaccharide chains of the receptor precursors (190, 210, 125, and 83 kDa) do not contain terminal sialic acid (or other capping sugars). However, near the time of insertion into the plasma membrane, capping of the alpha'- and beta'-species by sialic acid occurs, giving rise to the mature 135-kDa alpha- and 95-kDa beta-receptor subunits, which are partially endoglycosidase H-resistant and neuraminidase-sensitive. When 3T3-L1 adipocytes are treated with tunicamycin, a 180-kDa proreceptor aglycopolypeptide is synthesized which is incapable of undergoing further processing and proteolytic cleavage to the alpha- and beta (or alpha'- and beta'-)-subunits. The 180-kDa species, which appears to be the aglyco-form of hte 190-kDa proreceptor generated by endoglycosidase H, is resistant to trypsin in the intact cell and apparently has not reached the cell surface. Thus, the oligosaccharide moieties of the insulin receptor precursor are crucial for proper processing, intracellular translocation, and formation of functionally competent insulin re     

Identification of the major site of O-linked beta-N-acetylglucosamine modification in the C terminus of insulin receptor substrate-1

Signal transduction from the insulin receptor to downstream effectors is attenuated by phosphorylation at a number of Ser/Thr residues of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) resulting in resistance to insulin action, the hallmark of type II diabetes. Ser/Thr residues can also be reversibly glycosylated by O-linked beta-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) monosaccharide, a dynamic posttranslational modification that offers an alternative means of protein regulation to phosphorylation. To identify sites of O-GlcNAc modification in IRS-1, recombinant rat IRS-1 isolated from HEK293 cells was analyzed by two complementary mass spectrometric methods. Using data-dependent neutral loss MS3 mass spectrometry, MS/MS data were scanned for peptides that exhibited a neutral loss corresponding to the mass of N-acetylglucosamine upon dissociation in an ion trap. This methodology provided sequence coverage of 84% of the protein, permitted identification of a novel site of phosphorylation at Thr-1045, and facilitated the detection of an O-GlcNAc-modified peptide of IRS-1 at residues 1027-1073. The level of O-GlcNAc modification of this peptide increased when cells were grown under conditions of high glucose with or without chronic insulin stimulation or in the presence of an inhibitor of the O-GlcNAcase enzyme. To map the exact site of O-GlcNAc modification, IRS-1 peptides were chemically derivatized with dithiothreitol following beta-elimination and Michael addition prior to LC-MS/MS. This approach revealed Ser-1036 as the site of O-GlcNAc modification. Site-directed mutagenesis and Western blotting with an anti-O-GlcNAc antibody suggested that Ser-1036 is the major site of O-GlcNAc modification of IRS-1. Identification of this site will facilitate exploring the biological significance of the O-GlcNAc modification.     

Myristyl and palmityl acylation of the insulin receptor

The presence of covalently bound fatty acids in the insulin receptor has been explored in cultured human (IM-9) lymphocytes. Both alpha (Mr = 135,000) and beta (Mr = 95,000) subunits of the receptor incorporate [3H]myristic and [3H]palmitic acids in a covalent form. The effects of alkali and hydroxylamine on the labeled subunits indicate the existence of two different kinds of fatty acid linkage to the protein with chemical stabilities compatible with amide and ester bonds. The alpha subunit contains only amide-linked fatty acid while the beta subunit has both amide- and ester-linked fatty acids. Analysis by high performance liquid chromatography after acid hydrolysis of the [3H]myristate- and [3H]palmitate-labeled subunits demonstrates the fatty acid nature of the label. Furthermore, both [3H]myristic and [3H]palmitic acids are found attached to the receptor subunits regardless of which fatty acid was used for labeling. The incorporation of fatty acids into the insulin receptor is dependent on protein synthesis and is also detectable in the Mr = 190,000 proreceptor form. Fatty acylation is a newly identified post-translational modification of the insulin receptor which may have an important role in its interaction with the membrane and/or its biological function.     

Antibodies to deduced sequences of the insulin receptor distinguish conserved and nonconserved regions in the IGF-I receptor

Antipeptide antibodies directed to two amino acid sequences predicted from the cDNA encoding the insulin proreceptor have been used to study the relationship between the human receptors for insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). An antibody directed to a cytoplasmic domain near the membrane spanning region of the proreceptor inhibited the protein tyrosine kinase activity of both receptors whereas an antibody directed to the C terminus of the insulin receptor showed no cross-reactivity with the IGF-I receptor. The results establish that the cloned cDNA from the human placenta encodes the insulin receptor and not the closely related IGF-I receptor, that the IGF-I and insulin receptors share a specific amino acid sequence necessary for the expression of enzymatic activity, and that the C terminus of the insulin receptor is not conserved in the IGF-I receptor.     

Structure and ligand specificity of the Drosophila melanogaster insulin receptor.

The insulin-binding and protein tyrosine kinase subunits of the Drosophila melanogaster insulin receptor homolog have been identified and characterized by using antipeptide antibodies elicited to the deduced amino acid sequence of the alpha and beta subunits of the human insulin receptor. In D. melanogaster embryos and cell lines, the insulin receptor contains insulin-binding alpha subunits of 110 or 120 kilodaltons (kDa), a 95-kDa beta subunit that is phosphorylated on tyrosine in response to insulin in intact cells and in vitro, and a 170-kDa protein that may be an incompletely processed receptor. All of the components are synthesized from a proreceptor, joined by disulfide bonds, and exposed on the cell surface. The beta subunit is recognized by an antipeptide antibody elicited to amino acids 1142 to 1162 of the human insulin proreceptor, and the alpha subunit is recognized by an antipeptide antibody elicited to amino acids 702 to 723 of the human proreceptor. Of the polypeptide ligands tested, only insulin reacts with the D. melanogaster receptor. Insulinlike growth factors type I and II, epidermal growth factor, and the silkworm insulinlike prothoracicotropic hormone are unable to stimulate autophosphorylation. Thus despite the evolutionary divergence of vertebrates and invertebrates, the essential features of the structure and intrinsic functions of the insulin receptor have been remarkably conserved.     

A leucine to proline mutation at position 233 in the insulin receptor inhibits cleavage of the proreceptor and transport to the cell surface

We have previously shown that a homozygous mutation encoding a substitution of proline for leucine at position 233 in the insulin receptor is linked with the syndrome of leprechaunism, being a lethal form of insulin resistance in newborn children. Specific binding of insulin and insulin-stimulated autophosphorylation of the insulin receptor are nearly absent in fibroblasts from the leprechaun patient. To examine the molecular basis of the observed insulin receptor abnormalities, CHO cell lines overexpressing mutant insulin receptors were made by transfection. The results show that the mutation inhibits cleavage and transport of the proreceptor from intracellular sites to the cell surface. As the mutant receptor is poorly precipitated by two different monoclonal antibodies recognizing epitopes on undenatured wild-type alpha-subunits, the mutation probably affects overall folding of the alpha-subunit. The mutant proreceptor is unable to bind insulin and exhibits no insulin-stimulated autophosphorylation. These data explain the abnormalities seen in the patient's fibroblasts. Pulse-chase labeling experiments on transfected cells show that the mutant precursor has an extended half-life (approximately 5 h) compared to the precursor of wild-type insulin receptors (approximately 2 h). This mutation is the first example of a naturally occurring mutation in the insulin receptor which completely blocks cleavage of the proreceptor and transport to the cell surface.     

Biogenesis, transit, and functional properties of the insulin proreceptor and modified insulin receptors in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Use of monensin to probe proreceptor cleavage and generate altered receptor subunits

The biogenesis, intracellular transport, and functional properties of the insulin proreceptor and modified insulin receptors were studied in hormone-responsive 3T3-L1 adipocytes. After control cells were labeled with [35S]Met for 7 min, the principal polypeptide that was precipitated by anti-insulin receptor antibodies had a molecular weight (Mr) of 180 000. This initial precursor was rapidly converted (t1/2 = 35 min) to a 200-kilodalton (kDa) polypeptide, designated the insulin proreceptor, by the apparent posttranslational addition of N-linked, high mannose core oligosaccharide units. Mature alpha (Mr 130 000) and beta (Mr 90 000) subunits were derived from sequences within the proreceptor by proteolytic cleavage and late processing steps, and these subunits appeared on the cell surface 2-3 h after synthesis of the 180-kDa precursor. The cation ionophore monensin was used in combination with metabolic labeling, affinity cross-linking, and external proteolysis to probe aspects of proreceptor function, transit, and the development of insulin sensitivity at the target cell surface. At 5 micrograms/mL, monensin potently inhibited the proteolytic cleavage step, and the 200-kDa polypeptide accumulated. Lower concentrations of the ionophore selectively blocked late processing steps in 3T3-L1 adipocytes so that apparently smaller alpha' (Mr 120 000) and beta' (Mr 85 000) subunits were produced. Proreceptor and alpha' and beta' subunits were translocated to the cell surface, indicating that the signal for intracellular transit occurs in the 200-kDa polypeptide and is independent of the posttranslational proteolysis and late processing steps. The alpha' subunit bound insulin both at the surface of intact cells and after solubilization with Triton X-100; the beta' subunit was phosphorylated in an insulin-stimulated manner. The detergent-solubilized 200-kDa proreceptor also exhibited both functional properties. However, the proreceptor that was transported to and exposed on the cell surface was incapable of binding insulin in intact adipocytes. Thus, late processing is not essential for the expression of functions associated with mature alpha and beta subunits. In contrast, it appears that the proteolytic generation of subunits is required for the correct orientation of the hormone binding site in the plasma membrane bilayer and the development of insulin responsiveness in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.     

Post-Translational Acquisition of Ligand Binding-and Tyrosine Kinase-Domain Function by the Epidermal Growth Factor and Insulin Receptors

Abstract

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and insulin receptor undergo slow post-translational modification by which they acquire hormone binding and tyrosine kinase (EGFR) function. The half-time for acquisition of EGF or insulin binding activity is 30-40 min and of tyrosine kinase activity (EGFR), is 10-15 min. Tunicamycin, an inhibitor of N-linked oligosaccharide addition, blocks acquisition of both EGF and insulin binding activity. With EGFR, activation precedes acquisition of resistance to endoglucos-aminidase H (t_1/2 75 min), a medial Golgi event. Treatment of active high mannose receptor with endo H generates fully active aglyco-receptor; thus, core oligosaccharide addition is a prerequisite for activation, but not for EGF binding per se. EGFR is activated in and translocated from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) slowly (t_1/2 75 min). Since translocation rate equals the rate for acquisition of endo H resistance, transit from the ER is rate limiting for EGFR maturation. Tunicamycin inhibits exit from the ER parallel to its effect on acquisition of binding activity. Insulin proreceptor, a 210 kDa high-mannose glycopolypeptide, acquires insulin binding function (t_1/2 45 min) then is proteolytically cleaved (t_1/2 3 hr) into subunits of the mature α₂β₂ receptor. Modification giving rise to insulin binding activity is due to a conformational change in the binding domain, since human autoimmune antibody recognizes only the active species, while rabbit polyclonal antibody recognizes all forms. Newly-translated EGF proreceptor lacks a functional tyrosine domain capable of autophosphorylation; 30-40 min after translation, while still in     

Insulin-like growth factor I receptor primary structure: comparison with insulin receptor suggests structural determinants that define functional specificity.

To identify structural characteristics of the closely related cell surface receptors for insulin and IGF-I that define their distinct physiological roles, we determined the complete primary structure of the human IGF-I receptor from cloned cDNA. The deduced sequence predicts a 1367 amino acid receptor precursor, including a 30-residue signal peptide, which is removed during translocation of the nascent polypeptide chain. The 1337 residue, unmodified proreceptor polypeptide has a predicted Mr of 151,869, which compares with the 180,000 Mr IGF-I receptor precursor. In analogy with the 152,784 Mr insulin receptor precursor, cleavage of the Arg-Lys-Arg-Arg sequence at position 707 of the IGF-I receptor precursor will generate alpha (80,423 Mr) and beta (70,866 Mr) subunits, which compare with approximately 135,000 Mr (alpha) and 90,000 Mr (beta) fully glycosylated subunits.     

Evidence for exogenous substrate phosphorylation and dimer formation by the activated 190 kDa insulin proreceptor in vitro

The insulin receptor is synthesized as a single chain, 190 kDa glycoprotein precursor, which undergoes proteolytic cleavage, carbohydrate processing, and fatty acylation to generate the mature receptor on the plasma membrane. The relationship of these post-translational modifications to the acquisition of receptor function, i.e. ligand binding and phosphokinase activity, is not fully understood. Therefore, the 190 kDa proreceptor and mature receptor kinase activities were separately examined in vitro, and their phosphorylation properties compared. The solubilized receptor precursor from IM-9 lymphocytes was purified by sequential lectin chromatography and, following site specific anti-receptor antibody immunoprecipitation, phosphokinase studies performed. The isolated proreceptor was activated by insulin and phosphorylated exogenous substrate alpha-casein, as similarly observed for the mature receptor. Structurally, the phosphorylated proreceptor was identified as a 360 kDa homodimer under non-reducing condition.     

The in vitro synthesized and processed human insulin receptor precursor binds insulin.

The cell-free examination of the human insulin receptor during biogenesis may provide a greater understanding of the elements that contribute to the acquisition of receptor function. The insulin receptor precursor components were produced in a cell-free system and the insulin binding ability of the [35S]methionine-labeled translation products was determined. The processed proreceptor represented by a 190 kDa band was retained on insulin-linked biotin-streptavidin agarose or an insulin column. The insulin binding 190 kDa band migrated slower than the non-binding 190 kDa band on SDS-PAGE which suggests that covalent modifications account for these differences. The trypsin-digested product of the 190 kDa proreceptor was also retained on insulin-linked biotin-streptavidin agarose, however the alpha-subunit precursor was retained on insulin agarose to a much lesser degree. We conclude that a significant fraction of the processed, in vitro translated insulin proreceptor acquires insulin binding ability.     

Suppression of adiponectin by aberrantly glycosylated IgA1 in glomerular mesangial cells in vitro and in vivo

The pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) may be associated with the mesangial deposition of aberrantly glycosylated IgA1. To identify mediators affected by aberrantly glycosylated IgA1 in cultured human mesangial cells (HMCs), we generated enzymatically modified desialylated and degalactosylated (deSial/deGal) IgA1. The state of deglycosylated IgA1 was confirmed by lectin binding to Helix aspersa (HAA) and Sambucus nigra (SNA). In the cytokine array analysis, 52 proteins were upregulated and 34 were downregulated in HMCs after stimulation with deSial/deGal IgA1. Among them, the secretion of adiponectin was suppressed in HMCs after stimulation with deSial/deGal IgA1. HMCs expressed mRNAs for adiponectin and its type 1 receptor, but not the type 2 receptor. Moreover, we revealed a downregulation of adiponectin expression in the glomeruli of renal biopsy specimens from patients with IgAN compared to those with lupus nephritis. We also demonstrated that aberrantly glycosylated IgA1 was deposited in the mesangium of patients with IgAN by dual staining of HAA and IgA. Moreover, the urinary HAA/SNA ratio of lectin binding was significantly higher in IgAN compared to other kidney diseases. Since adiponectin has anti-inflammatory effects, including the inhibition of adhesion molecules and cytokines, these data suggest that the local suppression of this adipokine by aberrantly glycosylated IgA1 could be involved in the regulation of glomerular inflammation and sclerosis in IgAN.