PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

D E Moller

Publications and source records attributed to D E Moller.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Analysis of the hexokinase II gene in subjects with insulin resistance and NIDDM and detection of a Gln142-->His substitution.

Hexokinase II (HKII) is the predominant hexokinase isozyme expressed in insulin-responsive tissues. Since defects involving glucose transport and/or its phosphorylation to glucose-6-phosphate are present in muscle of insulin-resistant humans, HKII should be viewed as a candidate gene for inherited insulin resistance and susceptibility to non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). To investigate the prevalence of potential mutations in the gene encoding HKII, we used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify each of the 18 exons of the HKII gene from genomic DNA derived from 59 subjects: 25 insulin-resistant probands with clinical features of the type A syndrome and 34 NIDDM subjects enrolled in the United Kingdom Prospective Study of Therapies of NIDDM (UKPDS) who represented the highest percentile of fasting hyperinsulinemia in the UKPDS population of 5,098 subjects. PCR products corresponding to individual HKII exons derived from each subject were screened for the presence of nucleotide variation using a sensitive nonradioactive single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) protocol. Variant SSCP patterns indicative of genetic variation were detected only in PCR amplimers containing exons 4-7, 10, 15, and 17. Direct sequencing of amplified DNA from individuals affected with variant SSCP patterns revealed the presence of the following silent polymorphisms: Asp251 (GAT/C) in exon 7 and Asn692 (AAT/C) in exon 15. SSCP variants detected in PCR products containing exons 5, 10, and 17 were due to single base substitutions in flanking intronic sequences. A polymorphic GGA repeat was identified within intron 5.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Expression of a dominant-negative mutant human insulin receptor in the muscle of transgenic mice.

To examine the in vivo effects of a kinase-deficient mutant human insulin receptor, we used the muscle creatine kinase promoter to express a putative dominant-negative receptor: Ala1134-->Thr (Moller, D. E., Yokota, A., White, M. F., Pazianos, A. G., and Flier, J. S. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 14979-14985) in transgenic mice. Two lines were generated, where receptor expression was restricted to striated muscle and was increased by 5-12-fold in skeletal muscle. Transgenic gluteal muscle insulin receptor kinase activity was reduced by approximately 80% after maximal in vitro insulin stimulation. Glycogen content in this muscle was reduced by 45% in transgenic mice. Insulin levels were approximately 2-fold higher, and glucose concentrations were 12% higher in transgenics fed ad libitum. Transgenic mice exhibited reduced in vivo sensitivity to low dose (0.1 milliunits/g) intravenous insulin. In isolated soleus muscles from transgenics, where mutant receptors were expressed at lower levels, insulin-stimulated receptor kinase activity was reduced by 42%, but insulin-stimulated 2-deoxyglucose uptake was unaffected. These results indicate that (i) overexpression of a kinase-deficient human insulin receptor in muscle causes dominant-negative effects at the level of receptor kinase activation, (ii) impairment of insulin-stimulated muscle receptor tyrosine kinase activity can cause decreased insulin sensitivity in vivo, (iii) kinase-defective receptor mutants may be used to create novel animal models of tissue-specific insulin resistance.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Cloning and characterization of p97MAPK, a novel human homolog of rat ERK-3.

Mitogen-activated protein kinases, or extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), are serine/threonine protein kinases that are activated in response to a wide variety of extracellular stimuli and are encoded by a multigene family. Little is known about the function of the ERK-3 subfamily. To explore the molecular diversity of the ERK-3 subfamily, we isolated a novel human cDNA, designated Hu-ERK-3, from a fetal skeletal muscle library. Analysis of the complete 3,920-bp nucleotide sequence revealed that this clone encodes a predicted protein of 721 amino acids. In vitro transcription-translation generates a 97-kDa protein referred to as p97MAPK. Of all of the sequences compared, p97MAPK is the most homologous to rat ERK-3. Interestingly, although p97MAPK is highly (98%) homologous to ERK-3 at the amino acid level within the N-terminal two-thirds of the coding region, it diverges at the carboxyl terminus as a result of a unique extension of 178 amino acids. Although expression of p97MAPK was detected in all of the tissues tested by Northern (RNA) analysis, the most abundant expression was seen in skeletal muscle. An antibody raised against the unique C terminus recognized a 97-kDa protein in human cells. By using this antibody in an immune complex protein kinase assay, we have shown that treatment of human fibroblasts with serum or phorbol esters activates a myelin basic protein and histone H1 kinase activity in immunoprecipitates. p97MAPK appears to be the human homolog of rat ERK-3, and a member of this family is an active protein kinase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Human rsk isoforms: cloning and characterization of tissue-specific expression.

Serine-threonine protein kinases in the ribosomal S6 kinase (rsk or p90rsk) family have been implicated as signaling intermediates in the cellular response to several growth factors. To investigate the molecular diversity of human p90rsk isoforms, mixed degenerate oligonucleotide polymerase chain reaction was used to isolate partial rsk cDNAs (1.1 kb). Three closely related human rsk cDNAs were obtained (HU-1, HU-2, HU-3). These cDNAs are encoded by separate genes based on DNA sequence diversity and distinct patterns seen with genomic Southern blots. Northern analysis revealed different sized mRNA transcripts for each isoform. A full-length HU-1 cDNA (3.1 kb) was subsequently isolated from a HeLa cell library. 5'-cDNA clones for HU-2 and HU-3 were isolated using the "rapid amplification of cDNA ends" strategy. Experiments using human x hamster somatic cell hybrids localized the HU-1 gene to human chromosome 3; HU-2 is on chromosome 6; and HU-3 is on the X chromosome. The tissue distribution of human rsk mRNAs was determined using ribonuclease protection assays. HU-3 mRNA was present in multiple RNA samples. HU-2 was expressed in fibroblast > muscle > lymphocyte = placenta > liver. HU-1 was expressed in Epstein-Barr virus lymphocyte > > muscle = liver > fat = placenta. These results indicate that the multiplicity of p90rsk isoforms is increased to at least three for humans and that marked tissue-/cell-specific differences in p90rsk isoform expression are present.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-I therapy improves glycemic control and insulin action in the type A syndrome of severe insulin resistance.

Recombinant human (rh) insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is a potential therapy for individuals with severe insulin resistance, but its efficacy, mechanism of action, or duration of effect for these patients have not been explored fully. Two subjects with the type A phenotype of severe insulin resistance without insulin receptor mutations were investigated to assess insulin secretion, insulin action, and carbohydrate tolerance before and after 3-4 weeks of rhIGF-I treatment (100 micrograms/kg, sc, twice daily). Tests included 24-h glucose and insulin profile (modal day), standardized liquid meal with Sustacal, insulin tolerance test, insulin suppression test, and iv glucose tolerance test. In subject 1, the 24-h mean blood glucose level was 8.1 +/- 2.7 mmol/L before rhIGF-I treatment and fell to 4.2 +/- 0.9 mmol/L during rhIGF-I treatment. The pretreatment 24-h mean serum insulin level was 10,251 +/- 8,849 pmol/L and fell to 1533 +/- 1198 pmol/L. Fasting blood glucose fell from 4.4 to 3.4 mmol/L, and 2-h blood glucose after Sustacal administration fell from 10.3 to 5.3 mmol/L. Fasting serum insulin declined from 808 to 246 pmol/L, and the 2-h serum insulin level fell from 5,491 to 3,443 pmol/L. After bolus iv insulin injection (0.15 U/kg), glucose fell by 20% before rhIGF-I treatment and by 67% during rhIGF-I treatment. The steady state plasma glucose level was 18.2 +/- 0.7 before rhIGF-I and 10.8 +/- 0.1 mmol/L during rhIGF-I. In subject 2, fasting blood glucose fell from 12.0 to 7.4 mmol/L and 24-h mean blood glucose fell from 12.7 +/- 1.9 to 6.6 +/- 1.3 mmol/L. Twenty-four-hour mean serum insulin fell from 892 +/- 635 to 521 +/- 293 pmol/L, and first phase insulin secretion was restored during the iv glucose tolerance test. We conclude that sc rhIGF-I can reduce blood glucose effectively in selected patients with the type A phenotype of severe insulin resistance who have diabetes mellitus. rhIGF-I also can enhance insulin sensitivity, as assessed by a decrease in endogenous insulin levels, normalization of response to iv insulin, and a reduced steady state plasma glucose. The cellular mechanisms for these effects remain undefined.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Transgenic approaches to the pathogenesis of NIDDM.

The pathogenesis of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) involves complex interactions between multiple physiological defects, both genetic and acquired. The application of transgenic technology to create animal models that address questions concerning NIDDM (and obesity) is a very recent development that is now gaining rapid momentum and receiving deserved attention. In general, transgenic methods afford new opportunities to alter the site or level of expression of functional genes in vivo, to transfer novel foreign genes into animals, to prevent the expression of specific genes, or to replace genes with specific genetic variants. Two general approaches can be applied: 1) conventional transgenics, the transfer to and expression of new genetic information in animals; and 2) gene targeting, the disruption or replacement of specific endogenous genes. Recent transgenic initiatives have provided important insights into 1) the mechanism of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and the role of potential defects in this system, 2) the regulated expression of genes that control hepatic glucose production, 3) the role of specific molecules that mediate the actions of insulin, and 4) the elucidation of factors that contribute to in vivo regulation of energy balance and body composition. Emerging transgenic strategies should have a dramatic impact on future efforts to assess the function of newly identified molecules implicated in the regulation of in vivo glucose homeostasis and to determine the roles of candidate loci or specific mutations uncovered during the search for new NIDDM susceptibility genes.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Prevalence of mutations in the insulin receptor gene in subjects with features of the type A syndrome of insulin resistance.

Mutations of the insulin receptor gene are a cause of the type A syndrome of extreme insulin resistance. This study assessed the prevalence of such mutations in women with clinical features of the type A syndrome including ovarian hyperandrogenism, moderate-to-severe degrees of insulin resistance, and acanthosis nigricans. We studied 22 unrelated women with insulin resistance (fasting insulin > 300 pM [50 microU/ml] and/or peak during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) > 1,800 pM [300 microU/ml]), acanthosis nigricans, and the polycystic ovary syndrome (hyperandrogenemia, oligoamenorrhea, and hirsutism). Two insulin-resistant probands with congenital generalized lipodystrophy and one male proband with severe insulin resistance also were included in the study. Southern blotting experiments were performed to exclude gross gene deletions, insertions, or rearrangements. Exons 2-22 of the insulin receptor gene were polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified from genomic DNA and screened for nucleotide variation using single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). No nucleotide variation between study subjects was detected in exons 4-6, 10-12, 15, 16, 18, 19, or 21. Sequencing of amplified DNA revealed that SSCP variants in exons 2, 3, 8, 9, and 17 corresponded to known silent polymorphisms within the coding region. Variants in exons 2, 9, 13, and 14 were caused by novel silent polymorphisms; variants in exons 7 and 22 were caused by nucleotide substitutions in flanking introns. One proband was found to have a heterozygous point mutation in exon 20 (CGG-->CAG, Arg1174-->Gln) that involves the intracellular receptor beta-subunit.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acanthosis Nigricans↗
PubMed1994

Comparative sensitivity of alternative single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) methods.

Single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis is a genetic screening technique that allows for the rapid detection of single nucleotide substitutions in fragments of PCR-amplified genomic DNA or cDNA. Several alternative protocols are now being commonly used to resolve differences in electrophoretic mobility of single-stranded DNA fragments. The aim of this study was to directly compare the sensitivity of three popular SSCP methods using a panel of 19 known human mutations/polymorphisms present in genomic DNA samples. Using a single electrophoresis protocol, 95% of the mutations were detected using small-format PhastGel and the PhastSystem. Large-format gels (5% polyacrylamide and Hydrolink-MDE) were tested both with and without the addition of 10% glycerol. The sensitivity for polyacrylamide and Hydrolink-MDE gels without glycerol was 89% and 79%, respectively, and 68% or 63%, respectively, for glycerol-containing gels. However, all mutations were detected with either polyacrylamide or Hydrolink-MDE when both glycerol and non-glycerol gels were examined. We conclude that comparable very high detection efficiency can be achieved using the PhastSystem or by using a combination of two large-gel conditions with either polyacrylamide or Hydrolink-MDE.

Humans↗
PubMed1993

The stimulation of pp42mapkinase by insulin does not correlate with its metabolic actions in cells overexpressing mutant insulin receptors.

Naturally occurring human insulin receptor mutants Ser1200 and Thr1134, and a site-directed mutant Arg1030 overexpressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, bind insulin with affinities identical to wildtype receptors but are apparently kinase deficient. Cells expressing the Ser1200 receptor exhibit insulin stimulation of glycogen synthesis similar to these bearing the wildtype receptor, but fail to mediate insulin-responsive DNA synthesis. In contrast, the Thr1134 and Arg1030 mutants exhibit no response to insulin. The activity of Mitogen Activated Protein (MAP) kinase in cells transfected with wildtype receptor is more responsive to insulin than that detected in untransfected parental cells, while cells bearing any of the mutant receptors are less responsive than the parental cells. These differences in the stimulation of MAP kinase activity are paralleled by differences in insulin-dependent phosphorylation of the enzyme. These results suggest that the p42 MAP kinase is not universally required for the metabolic effects of insulin.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Ligand-binding properties of the two isoforms of the human insulin receptor.

Tissue-specific alternative splicing of exon 11 of the insulin receptor gene results in 2 mRNAs that differ by 36 nucleotides within the coding region. The 2 transcripts encode 2 protein isoforms with (Ex11+) or without (Ex11-) 12 additional amino acids at the carboxy-terminus of the receptor alpha-subunit. Previous studies of the 2 isoforms of the human insulin receptor expressed in mammalian cell transfectants have revealed small functional differences at the levels of equilibrium insulin binding affinity and acute ligand-induced receptor internalization. In the present study, we determined the biochemical basis for differential insulin binding affinity. Further functional characterization of the 2 receptor isoforms was also performed. The results obtained were as follows. 1) Studies of ligand association demonstrated a faster (1.8-fold) "on rate" for Ex11- receptors than for Ex11+ receptors, as determined by the kinetics of [125I]insulin binding to transfected cells. In addition, dissociation of prebound [125I]insulin from Ex11- receptors was characterized by an accelerated "off rate" relative to that of Ex11+ receptors. 2) Using both intact Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and partially purified solubilized insulin receptors, the ability of insulin-like growth factor-I to compete for [125I]insulin binding to either isoform differed markedly. The mean IC50 for Ex11- was 40 nM vs. 350 nM for Ex11+. 3) Both Ex11- and Ex11+ receptors were equally capable of hybrid formation with endogenous CHO cell insulin-like growth factor-I receptors. 4) The relative abilities of 2 inhibitory polyclonal antiinsulin receptor antisera to displace [125I]insulin binding did not differ between the two isoforms. 5) Studies of insulin-induced (300 nM) receptor down-regulation in CHO cell transfectants suggested preferential down-regulation of Ex11- receptors; however, no down-regulation difference was observed when Rat 1 cell transfectants expressing the two splice variants were studied. These findings further support the idea that the 2 isoforms of the insulin receptor are functionally distinct in important ways.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Insulin-mediated pseudoacromegaly: clinical and biochemical characterization of a syndrome of selective insulin resistance.

We have performed clinical, physiological, in vitro biochemical and genetic studies of a patient with severe insulin resistance associated with the phenotype of "pseudoacromegaly," defined as the presence of acromegaloid features in the absence of elevated levels of GH or insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). Despite marked hyperinsulinemia, insulin and IGF-I binding to circulating blood cells and cultured skin fibroblasts was normal. Insulin and IGF-I-stimulated autophosphorylation of their respective receptors in cultured skin fibroblasts was also normal. However, neither insulin nor IGF-I were able to stimulate 2-deoxy D-glucose uptake by cultured skin fibroblasts. In contrast, the ability of insulin and IGF-I (or IGF-II) to stimulate amino acid uptake and thymidine incorporation into DNA was not impaired. This unique discordant signaling defect through both insulin and IGF-I receptors appeared not to be the consequence of altered expression or primary structure of the insulin receptor or the GLUT-4 glucose transporter, as assessed by several genetic and biochemical techniques. GLUT-4 expression in muscle was normal on Western blots, and SSCP screening of all 11 exons of the gene for nucleotide variation revealed no variations from normal. DNA sequencing and SSCP screening of exons 2-22 of the insulin receptor gene revealed only one variation predicted to alter the amino acid sequence (Val985-->Met). No functional differences between Met985 and wild-type human insulin receptors were evident in studies performed with Chinese hamster ovary cell transfectants that overexpress either receptor. This data combined with our previously published epidemiological data concerning the frequency of the Met985 allele, indicate that this variant insulin receptor is not responsible for the insulin resistant glucose uptake or the clinical syndrome of pseudoacromegaly. We conclude that: 1) The molecular lesion responsible for the selective biochemical defect in this individual appears to involve a signaling intermediate required for insulin and IGF-I regulation of glucose transport, and/or an effector mechanism operative in this process. 2) Cells derived from this patient may be a valuable tool in the search for such molecular mechanisms. 3) The Met985 allele is a relatively common variant which has no demonstrable adverse consequences for insulin receptor function. 4) Pseudoacromegaly can be viewed as the expected result of hyperinsulinemia driving the unopposed mitogenic and anabolic actions of insulin.

Acromegaly↗
PubMed1993

Inhibitors of insulin receptor tyrosine kinase in fibroblasts from diverse patients with impaired insulin action: evidence for a novel mechanism of postreceptor insulin resistance.

Insulin resistance is a major feature of noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. This resistance appears to involve molecules, apart from the insulin receptor, that are capable of altering its function. Previously, we reported that dermal fibroblasts from a female patient with insulin resistance and noninsulin-dependent diabetes produced an inhibitor of insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity. We have now studied inhibitors in fibroblasts from four additional patients (one male and three females) with severe insulin resistance. Although clinical features were diverse, these patients had in common normal fasting glucose values, with fasting and postprandial hyperinsulinemia. The fibroblast insulin receptor content was within the normal range, but both basal and insulin-stimulated tyrosine kinase activity in fibroblast extracts were markedly decreased compared to those in extracts of fibroblasts from nondiabetic subjects. Studies revealed that these fibroblasts contained a glycoprotein inhibitor of insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity. This inhibitor was not found in extracts of either similar insulin-resistant patients with normal insulin receptors or insulin-resistant patients with insulin receptor abnormalities. The inhibitor was not adsorbed with antiserum to either tyrosine phosphatases or fetuin. These studies thus suggest that one or more unique inhibitors of insulin receptor tyrosine kinase are present in fibroblasts of certain patients with severe insulin resistance. The presence of insulin receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors in target cells, therefore, may constitute a novel mechanism of postreceptor insulin resistance.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Muscle-specific expression of human insulin receptor in transgenic mice.

Variations in skeletal muscle insulin signaling are thought to have important effects on in vivo glucose homeostasis. To address the role of the insulin receptor in insulin action in muscle, we overexpressed human insulin receptors in the skeletal muscle of transgenic mice. A muscle-specific transgene (TMPE/HIR) was constructed by using promotor and enhancer elements derived from the rat MLC1/3 locus coupled to the intact protein-coding region of the human insulin-receptor cDNA. After testing the transgene for expression in cultured C2C12 myotubes, six founder mice transgenic for TMPE/HIR were generated. We determined that one line of mice had significant expression of human insulin-receptor mRNA in skeletal muscle. The analysis of several tissues from these mice by immunoprecipitation of labeled insulin receptors with a human-specific antireceptor antibody, revealed exclusive expression of human insulin receptors in skeletal muscle. Using both human-specific and non--species-specific anti-insulin receptor antibodies, we developed two immunoassays capable of quantitating the relative amounts of human and total insulin receptors in muscle. Compared with nontransgenic littermate controls, the total number of insulin receptors was increased by 30% in heterozygous transgenics and 68% in homozygotes. Human insulin-receptor protein contributed substantially to the total insulin-receptor pool present in transgenic muscle (42% for heterozygotes, 61% for homozygotes). Intraperitoneal glucose and insulin tolerance tests were performed with homozygous transgenic and nontransgenic littermate mice. Results with both approaches were significantly different for the two groups of mice, suggesting that the modest increase in insulin receptors in the muscle of transgenic mice causes a direct increase in insulin responsiveness.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Differential regulation of glucose transport and transporters by glucose in vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells.

Hyperglycemia has been implicated in the pathogenesis of both micro- and macrovascular complications in diabetes. Little is known, however, about glucose transporters and their regulation in the vascular system. In this study, the regulation of glucose transporters by glucose was examined in cultured BAECs and BSMCs, and in human arterial smooth muscle cells. Both BAECs and BSMCs transported glucose via the facilitated diffusion transport system. Glucose-transport activity in vascular smooth muscle cells was inversely and reversibly regulated by glucose. Exposure of BSMCs and HSMCs to high glucose decreased Vmax for 2DG and 3-O-MG uptake, whereas Km remained unchanged. The hexose-transport system of BAECs exhibited lower 2DG and 3-O-MG uptake compared with BSMCs and showed little or no adaptation to changes in ambient glucose. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that GLUT1 mRNA levels in BAECs and BSMCs were unaffected by the concentration of glucose in the medium. GLUT2-5 mRNA could not be detected by Northern blot analysis. GLUT1 protein, quantified by Western blot analysis, was more abundant in BSMCs than in BAECs and was decreased by approximately 50% when medium glucose was elevated from 1.2 to 22 mM for 24 h. The alterations in the level of GLUT1 protein correlated with the changes observed in transport activity. These observations suggest differential regulation of glucose transporter in response to glucose between smooth muscle and endothelial cells. The sites of autoregulation may involve translational control and/or the stability of the protein in the smooth muscle cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

3-O-Methylglucose↗
PubMed1992

Relation between the insulin receptor number in cells, autophosphorylation and insulin-stimulated Ras.GTP formation.

We showed previously that upon insulin stimulation of an insulin receptor overexpressing cell line, most of the p21ras was rapidly converted into the GTP bound state (Burgering, B. M. T., Medema, R. H., Maassen, J. A., Van de Wetering, M. L., Van der Eb, A. J., McCormick, F., and Bos, J. L. (1991) EMBO J. 10, 1103-1109). To determine whether this process also occurs in cells expressing physiologically relevant numbers of insulin receptors, insulin stimulated Ras.GTP formation was quantitated in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-derived cell lines expressing varying numbers of insulin receptors. In the parental CHO9 cells, expressing only 5.10(3) insulin receptors, insulin stimulation for 3 min increased Ras.GTP levels with 10%. Upon increasing the number of insulin receptors in these cells, Ras.GTP levels increased almost proportionally until a plateau value of 60% is reached at high receptor numbers. These data show that receptor overexpression is not a prerequisite for insulin-stimulated Ras.GTP formation. The yield of Ras.GTP generated is 0.2-1.0 mol/mol autophosphorylated insulin receptor in CHO9- and NIH3T3-derived cell lines, respectively. These values argue against signal-amplifying processes between the insulin receptor and p21ras. To determine whether receptor autophosphorylation is required for Ras.GTP formation, NIH3T3 cells overexpressing insulin receptors were stimulated with a monoclonal antibody which activates the receptor and subsequent glucose transport without inducing detectable autophosphorylation. Also, CHO cells expressing the mutant Ser1200 receptor, which has markedly impaired tyrosyl autophosphorylation but is capable of mediating insulin-stimulated metabolic effects in CHO cells, were used. In both cases, no Ras.GTP formation was observed. Furthermore, Rat-1-derived cell lines expressing mutant p21ras, which is permanently in the active GTP-bound form, still responded to insulin by increasing the glucose uptake. These results support our hypothesis that Ras.GTP formation is activated by the tyrosyl-phosphorylated insulin receptor and suggest that an active Ras.GTP complex does not mediate metabolic signaling.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1992

Insulin receptor and insulin-responsive glucose transporter (GLUT 4) mutations and polymorphisms in a Welsh type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic population.

We have recently examined the exons encoding the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase domain and GLUT 4 in 30 subjects with Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus using a molecular scanning approach. The variant sequences Val-Met985 and Lys-Glu1068 of the insulin receptor and Val-Ile383 of GLUT 4 were each separately found in three different diabetic subjects. In a study of a Welsh population, the GLUT 4(383) variant was found in three of 160 diabetic and none of the 80 control subjects. In this study, the same group of Welsh Type 2 diabetic and control subjects was analysed using allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridisation, single nucleotide primer extension and allele-specific restriction digestion to ascertain the frequency of the two insulin receptor mutations. The Val-Met985 mutation was found in none of the 160 Welsh Caucasian Type 2 diabetic subjects and two of 80 control subjects. The Lys-Glu1068 mutation removes a Sty 1 site and digestion of amplified exon 18 with Sty 1 confirmed the presence of the mutation in the heterozygous state in the original subject. None of the Welsh diabetic or control subjects had the Glu1068 mutation. The discovery of a very common silent polymorphism at codon 130 of GLUT 4 allowed examination of the association of this locus with Type 2 diabetes using allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridisation in a subset of the Welsh subjects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alleles↗
PubMed1992

Alternatively spliced variants of the insulin receptor protein. Expression in normal and diabetic human tissues.

Two insulin receptor mRNA transcripts resulting from alternative splicing of exon 11 in the receptor gene are expressed in a highly regulated tissue-specific fashion. To date, there is no information about the relative abundance of the protein isoforms encoded by these mRNAs in tissues of normal or diabetic subjects. We employed an antibody raised against the peptide sequence encoded by exon 11 to develop a specific immunoprecipitation assay that is capable of determining the fraction of receptors that include this amino acid sequence. The assay is based on the relative ability of the exon 11 specific monoclonal antibody (alpha IR alpha) compared to a nonspecific anti-receptor antiserum (B-2) to immunoprecipitate solubilized receptors that are first labeled with 125I-insulin. The assay was validated using standard curves generated with samples composed of known ratios of the two receptor isoforms. Our results in general confirm observations regarding the relative abundance of the two mRNA species in human tissues, with marked predominance of the exon 11+ isoform in liver, and the exon 11- isoform in leukocytes. Similar amounts of both variants are present in placenta, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue. In studies with this assay using skeletal muscle extracts from control and noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) subjects, as well as in studies of the two mRNAs in control versus NIDDM muscle using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay, we could find no significant difference between control and diabetic subjects. This data contradicts a recent report claiming that normal individuals have only the exon 11- mRNA transcript in their skeletal muscle, whereas NIDDM subjects have similar expression of both mRNAs. Given the emerging evidence that functional differences exist between the two receptor isoforms, these studies are relevant to our understanding of insulin receptor function in health and disease.

Amino Acid Sequence↗