Insulin and insulin-like growth factor I stimulate the proliferation of human ovarian theca-interstitial cells

PURPOSE: We analyzed familial renal oncocytoma to provide a foundation for studies aimed at defining genes involved in the pathogenesis of renal oncocytoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We describe 5 families with multiple members affected with renal oncocytoma. Tumors were analyzed pathologically, and affected and nonaffected members were screened clinically and genetically. RESULTS: We identified 12 affected male and 3 affected female (ratio 4:1) individuals in the 5 families. In affected family members renal oncocytomas were often multiple and bilateral. No metastatic disease was observed. Most renal oncocytomas were detected incidentally in asymptomatic individuals or during screening of asymptomatic members of renal oncocytoma families. One identical twin pair was affected with bilateral multiple renal oncocytomas. CONCLUSIONS: Renal oncocytoma may be inherited in some families.     

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 regulate tau phosphorylation in cultured human neurons

Hyperphosphorylated tau is the major component of paired helical filaments in neurofibrillary lesions associated with Alzheimer's disease. Hyperphosphorylation reduces the affinity of tau for microtubules and is thought to be a critical event in the pathogenesis of this disease. Recently, glycogen-synthase kinase-3 has been shown to phosphorylate tau in vitro and in non-neuronal cells transfected with tau. The activity of glycogen-synthase kinase-3 can be down-regulated in response to insulin or insulin-like growth factor-1 through the activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway. We therefore hypothesize that insulin or insulin-like growth factor-1 may affect tau phosphorylation through the inhibition of glycogen-synthase kinase-3 in neurons. Using cultured human neuronal NT2N cells, we demonstrate that glycogen-synthase kinase-3 phosphorylates tau and reduces its affinity for microtubules and that insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 stimulation reduces tau phosphorylation and promotes tau binding to microtubules. We further demonstrate that these effects of insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 are mediated through the inhibition of glycogen-synthase kinase-3 via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway.     

Insulin receptor substrate 2 and Shc play different roles in insulin-like growth factor I signaling

The major substrates for the type I insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) receptor are Shc and insulin receptor substrate (IRS) proteins. In the current study, we report that IGF-I induces a sustained tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc and its association with Grb2 in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. The time course of Shc tyrosine phosphorylation parallels the time course of IGF-I-stimulated activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Transfection of SH-SY5Y cells with a p52 Shc mutant decreases Shc tyrosine phosphorylation and Shc-Grb2 association. This results in the inhibition of IGF-I-mediated ERK tyrosine phosphorylation and neurite outgrowth. In contrast, IGF-I induces a transient tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-2 and an association of IRS-2 with Grb2. The time course of IRS-2 tyrosine phosphorylation and IRS-2-Grb2 and IRS-2-p85 association closely resembles the time course of IGF-I-mediated membrane ruffling. Treating cells with the phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase inhibitors wortmannin and LY294002 blocks IGF-I-induced membrane ruffling. The ERK kinase inhibitor PD98059, as well as transfection with the p52 Shc mutant, has no effect on IGF-I-mediated membrane ruffling. Immunolocalization studies show IRS-2 and Grb2, but not Shc, concentrated at the tip of the extending growth cone where membrane ruffling is most active. Collectively, these results suggest that the association of Shc with Grb2 is essential for IGF-I-mediated neurite outgrowth, whereas the IRS-2-Grb2-phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase complex may regulate growth cone extension and membrane ruffling.     

Controlling insulin-like growth factor activity and the modulation of insulin-like growth factor binding protein and receptor binding

The insulin-like growth factors (IGF) and insulin perform seemingly unique roles by causing the same metabolic effect: cellular hypertrophy. Although overlapping, there are different consequences to cellular hypertrophy induced by IGF and that induced by insulin. The IGF enhance the cell hypertrophy that is requisite for cell survival, hyperplasia, and differentiation, and insulin enhances cell hypertrophy primarily as a means to increase nutrient stores. The effects of IGF and insulin are controlled by the segregation of their receptors between different cell types. A model is discussed that describes the need for three hormones (IGF-I, IGF-II, and insulin) to control nutrient partitioning. Insulin receptor localization, as well as an episodic mode of secretion, evolved to perform the short-term action of clearing excess nutrients from the circulation. In contrast, a complex and interactive set of factors ensure that maximal IGF activity occurs only when conditions are optimal for growth. A relatively invariant rate of secretion and the IGF binding proteins serve to maintain a large mutable pool of IGF. This pool exists to ensure a constant supply of IGF to maintain the basal metabolic rate and to ensure that, once a cell begins to proliferate or differentiate, adequate exposure is available to complete the process even after severe short-term physiological insults. The IGF concentrations only change in response to prolonged differences in protein and energy availabilities, environmental and body temperatures, and external stress. Also, evidence is now emerging that describes a discrete role for trace nutrients in the regulation of IGF activity. In this latter regard, zinc has the notable role of targeting IGF binding proteins to the cell surface. New data are presented showing that zinc also changes the affinity of the type 1 IGF receptor and cell-associated IGF binding proteins to optimize IGF activity.     

Insulin/insulin-like growth factor-I hybrid receptors with high affinity for insulin are developmentally regulated during neurogenesis

Guanine quartets are readily formed by guanine nucleotides and guanine-rich oligonucleotides in the presence of certain monovalent and divalent cations. The quadruplexes composed of these quartets are of interest for their potential roles in vivo, their relatively frequent appearance in oligonucleotides derived from in vitro selection, and their inhibition of template directed RNA polymerization under proposed prebiotic conditions. The requirement of cation coordination for the stabilization of G quartets makes understanding cation-quadruplex interactions an essential step towards a complete understanding of G quadruplex formation. We have used 15NH4+ as a probe of cation coordination by the four G quartets of the DNA bimolecular quadruplex [d(G4T4G4)]2, formed from oligonucleotides with the repeat sequence found in Oxytricha nova telomeres. 1H and 15N heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy has allowed the direct localization of monovalent cation binding sites in the solution state and the analysis of cation movement between the binding sites. These experiments show that [d(G4T4G4)]2 coordinates three ammonium ions, one in each of two symmetry related sites and one on the axis of symmetry of the dimeric molecule. The NH4+ move along the central axis of the quadruplex between these sites and the solution, reminiscent of an ion channel. The residence time of the central ion is determined to be 250 ms. The 15NH4+ is shown to be a valuable probe of monovalent cation binding sites and dynamics.     

Developmental pattern of fetal growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor I, growth hormone binding protein and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3

AIMS: To evaluate the developmental pattern of fetal growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), GH binding protein (GHBP) and IGF binding protein-3 (IGF-3); to determine the implications for fetal growth. METHODS: Serum GH, IGF-I, GHBP and IGFBP-3 were measured in 53 fetuses, 41 aged 20-26 weeks (group A) and 12 aged 31-38 weeks (group B). Fetal blood samples were obtained by direct puncture of the umbilical vein in utero. Fetal blood samples were taken to rule out beta thalassaemia, chromosome alterations, mother to fetus transmissible infections, and for maternal rhesus factor. GHBP was determined by gel filtration chromatography of serum incubated overnight with 125I-GH. GH, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were determined by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Fetal serum GH concentrations in group A (median 29 micrograms/l, range 11-92) were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than those of group B (median 16.7 micrograms/l, range 4.5-29). IGF-I in group A (median 20 micrograms/l, range 4.1-53.3) was significantly lower (P < 0.01) than in group B (median 75.2 micrograms/l, range 27.8-122.3). Similarly, IGFBP-3 concentrations in group A (median 950 micrograms/l, range 580-1260) were significantly lower than those of group B (median 1920 micrograms/l, range 1070-1770). There was no significant difference between GHBP values in group A (median 8.6%, range 6.6-12.6) and group B (median 8.3%, range 6-14.3). Gestational age correlated positively with IGF-I concentrations (P < 0.0001) and IGFBP-3 (P < 0.0001) and negatively with GH (P < 0.0001). GHBP values did not correlate with gestational age. Multiple regression analysis showed a negative correlation between GH:IGF-I ratio and fetal growth indices CONCLUSIONS: The simultaneous evaluation of fetal GH, IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and GHBP suggests that the GH-IGF-I axis might already be functional in utero. The progressive improvement in the efficiency of this axis in the last part of gestation does not seem to be due to an increase in GH receptors.     

Serum free and total insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 Levels in healthy elderly individuals. Relation to self-reported quality of health and disability

Numerous controlled trials have demonstrated the efficacy of specific immunotherapy, although its mechanism is not completely understood. Few studies have addressed the effects of immunotherapy on the release of mediators. We measured in vitro sulphidoleukotriene (sLT) and histamine release after specific stimulus (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus or Lollium perenne) in a group of patients under immunotherapy (n = 35) and compared the results with those obtained in a group of allergic patients without immunotherapy (n = 57). SLT quantification was carried out by cellular stimulation allergen test (CAST)-ELISA and we measured the amount of histamine release using a fluorometric method. We found a significant (p < 0.05) reduction of allergen-specific mediator release on the group of patients under immunotherapy treatment. When we studied the group of patients sensitive to D. pteronyssinus we also observed a significant reduction in sLT release after the in vitro stimulus with anti-IgE. In vitro sLT production could be a good marker for follow-up immunotherapy. This study provides more evidence to support the immunological and cellular changes induced by immunotherapy.     

Comparison of the insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 mitogenic intracellular signaling pathways

We compared the intracellular insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and insulin signaling pathways in Rat1 fibroblasts expressing the equivalent number of insulin receptors and endogenous IGF-1 receptors. Insulin and IGF-1 stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 and Shc in a similar dose- and time-dependent manner. The time course of Shc phosphorylation by both IGF-1 and insulin was slower than that of IRS-1. Both phosphorylated IRS-1 and Shc associated with Grb2.Sos complexes, leading to p21ras activation. To compare the functional importance of p21ras for IGF-1-and insulin-induced DNA synthesis, single cell microinjection studies were performed. BrdU incorporation into newly synthesized DNA was measured by immunofluorescence microscopy to assess the functional importance of p21ras. Both IGF-1 and insulin stimulated BrdU incorporation, but the effect of IGF-1 was greater. Microinjection of anti-p21ras antibody completely inhibited both IGF-1-and insulin-induced DNA synthesis, indicating the central role of p21ras in signaling by both hormones. Signal transduction from these receptors to Grb2.Sos complexes can occur through IRS-1 and/or Shc. To assess these two possible pathways, we performed Western blots for Grb2 in anti-Shc and anti-IRS-1 immunoprecipitates and found that 5-fold more Grb2 was associated with Shc than with IRS-1 after either IGF-1 or insulin stimulation. Microinjection of anti-Shc antibody inhibited IGF-1 and insulin stimulation of DNA synthesis by 78% and 74%, respectively. By microinjecting Shc subdomains of GST fusion proteins, we found that Shc N-terminus, but not the Shc SH2, was the functionally important domain through which Shc interacts with IGF-1 and insulin receptors. Insulin stimulation caused hyperphosphorylation and decreased electrophoretic mobility of Sos, and a similar effect was seen with IGF-1, although the time course was delayed compared with insulin. Finally, IGF-1 activated mitogen-activated proten kinase activity more effectively than insulin. These data indicate that Shc, rather than IRS-1, appears to be the predominant functional link to Grb2.Sos complexes from the IGF-1 receptor, as it is from the insulin receptor. Although IGF-1 and insulin stimulate cell cycle progression with similar coupling mechanisms from the receptor to Shc, to Grb2.Sos, to p21ras, the delayed IGF-1 induced mobility shift of Sos could lead to, at least in part, more efficient coupling to mitogen-activated protein kinase. These findings might explain the greater mitogenic activity of IGF-1 compared with insulin.     

Identification of common ligand binding determinants of the insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptors. Insights into mechanisms of ligand binding

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) are peptides that share nearly 50% sequence homology. However, although their cognate receptors also exhibit significant overall sequence homology, the affinity of each peptide for the non-cognate receptor is 2-3 orders of magnitude lower than for the cognate receptor. The molecular basis for this discrimination is unclear, as are the molecular mechanisms underlying ligand binding. We have recently identified a major ligand binding site of the insulin receptor by alanine scannning mutagenesis. These studies revealed that a number of amino acids critical for insulin binding are conserved in the IGF-1 receptor, suggesting that they may play a role in ligand binding. We therefore performed alanine mutagenesis of these amino acids to determine whether this is the case. cDNAs encoding alanine-substituted secreted recombinant IGF-1 receptors were expressed in 293 EBNA cells, and the ligand binding properties of the expressed proteins were evaluated. Mutation of Phe701 resulted in a receptor with undetectable IGF-1 binding; alanine substitution of the corresponding amino acid of the insulin receptor, Phe714, produces a 140-fold reduction in affinity for insulin. Mutation of Asp8, Asn11, Phe58, Phe692, Glu693, His697, and Asn698 produces a 3.5-6-fold reduction in affinity for IGF-1. In contrast, alanine mutation of the corresponding amino acids of the insulin receptor with the exception of Asp12 produces reductions in affinity that are 50-fold or greater. The affinity of insulin for these mutants relative to wild type receptor was similar to that of their relative affinity for IGF-1 with two exceptions; the IC50 values for insulin binding to the mutants of Arg10, which has normal affinity for IGF-1, and His697, which has a 6-fold reduction in affinity for IGF-1, were both at least 2 orders of magnitude greater than for wild type receptor. The Kd values for insulin of the corresponding alanine mutants of the insulin receptor, Arg14 and His710, are 2-3 orders of magnitude greater than for wild type receptor. However, in contrast, the relative affinity of des(25-30)[PheB25 alpha-carboxamide]insulin for these IGF-1 receptor mutants is reduced only 4- and 50-fold, respectively.     

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I signal transduction requires p21ras

We have investigated the role of cellular p21ras protein in insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) signaling pathways. Insulin stimulation increased Ras-GTP formation in Rat-1 fibroblasts overexpressing normal human insulin receptors (HIRc-B), far greater than in parental Rat-1 fibroblasts, indicating that competent insulin receptors mediate this response. Cellular microinjection of a dominant-negative mutant p21ras protein (N17 ras) or anti-p21ras monoclonal antibody (Y13-259) into HIRc-B cells reduced insulin- and IGF-I-stimulated DNA synthesis by 75-90%. Insulin-induced c-fos protein expression was also inhibited by 74%. Microinjection of oncogenic p21ras (T-24 ras) into HIRc-B cells activated the mitogenic pathway, and coinjection of N17 ras and T-24 ras showed that oncogenic p21ras rescued the cells from the N17 ras blockade. This later finding indicates that T-24 ras acts downstream of N17 ras. In conclusion, 1) microinjection of a dominant interferring ras mutant into quiescent cells abrogated subsequent insulin and IGF-I mitogenic signaling; 2) oncogenic ras protein rescued cells from the N17 ras blockade, indicating that T24 ras action is downstream of the site of N17 inhibition; and 3) p21ras is an intermediate signaling molecule in the insulin/IGF-I signal transduction pathway and is required for gene expression and DNA synthesis.     

Preparation of N epsilon B28-monoazidobenzoyl insulin-like growth factor I and photoaffinity labeling of insulin-like growth factor I receptor

Recombinant human insulin-like growth factor I (hIGF-I) was reacted with azidobenzoyl hydroxysuccinimide to produce a mixture of photoactive hIGF-I derivatives. The mixture was purified by reversed-phase HPLC to yield three mono-substituted azidobenzoyl hIGF-Is. One of the derivatives was identified by amino acid sequencing as N epsilon B28-monoazidobenzoyl hIGF-I. This derivative was indistinguishable from native hIGF-I when bioassayed in Rat-1 fibroblasts. A 120-kDa band, the alpha subunit of the IGF-I receptor, was specifically labeled in Rat-1 plasma membranes by this photoprobe. The labeling of this band was reduced by hIGF-I at 1 nM and completely abolished by hIGF-I, but not insulin, at 100 nM, indicating the specificity of the photolabeling of the IGF-I receptor by this fully active IGF-I photoprobe.     

Fibroblast growth factor 2 promotes pancreatic epithelial cell proliferation via functional fibroblast growth factor receptors during embryonic life

Several investigators have postulated that soluble growth factors are involved in the early development of the pancreas. In many tissues in which soluble factors are implicated in development, these factors act on their target cells through tyrosine kinase receptors. Because we had some preliminary evidence that fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) were expressed in the early pancreas, we investigated the effect of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) during embryonic pancreatic development. For that purpose, we first studied the distribution and the functionality of FGFRs during pancreatic organogenesis. FGFR1 and FGFR4 were shown to be expressed at a high level during early pancreatic development before embryonic day 16, their levels of expression decreasing thereafter. The functionality of FGFR was studied next. It was demonstrated in vitro that both FGF1 and FGF2 induce the expression of NGFI-A mRNA, a useful indicator of functional growth factor-signaling pathways. Finally, the effect of FGF2 on embryonic pancreatic epithelial cell proliferation was studied. It was shown that FGF2 induces the proliferation of pancreatic epithelial cells during embryonic life. Taken together, these data strongly suggest that FGFs are implicated in pancreatic development during embryonic life.     

High insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 levels in cirrhosis: link with insulin resistance

The plasma membrane from Arabidopsis thaliana leaves (wild-type and F mutant) has been purified by two-phase partitioning and the H(+)-transport activity was tested in vitro in the presence of different concentrations of IAA. While 1 microM of IAA had no effect, higher concentrations (10 microM and 100 microM) were inhibitory in 25 short days grown wild-type plants. However, the activity was increased by about 16% after 10 supplementary short days of growth (from 25 to 35 SD) in the represence of 10 microM of IAA. No significant sensitivity to the tested concentrations of auxin was observed during the development in short days (30, 38, 42 SD) or even the plants were induced by a 24 h of continuous light. The variability was not observed for a given developmental stage, from one experiment to another, but it was also observed after light induction of F mutant plants.     

Effect of chronic treatment with octreotide nasal powder on serum levels of growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor I, insulin-like growth factor binding proteins 1 and 3 in acromegalic patients

Octreotide nasal powder is a delivery system of the somatostatin analogue developed to overcome the inconvenience of repeated subcutaneous administrations. Eight patients with clinically active acromegaly were treated for three months with octreotide nasal powder which was administered at the initial dosage of 0.125 mg tid, doubling the dosage up to 2 mg tid in order to obtain a mean GH value below 5 micrograms/l during 8 daytime hours. In 4 of these patients, treatment was prolonged till the sixth month. Blood samples were taken on days 15, 29, 43, 55, 90, 120, 150, 180 for GH, IGF-I, IGFBP-3, IGFBP-1 and insulin measurements. Before treatment, mean daytime GH and morning IGF-I serum levels were both increased but not correlated with each other. Serum IGFBP-3 levels were higher than normal and positively correlated with those of GH, IGF-I and insulin. Insulin levels were elevated and positively correlated with those of GH but not with those of IGF-I and IGFBP-1. Serum IGFBP-1 levels were in the low normal range and not correlated with any of the other parameters. Treatment with octreotide nasal powder induced in all patients a marked decrease of GH which lowered below 5 micrograms/l in 7/8 patients and IGF-I levels, which fell within the normal range in 1 patient. Serum IGFBP-3 and insulin concentrations decreased by 26% and 71%, respectively, and those of IGFBP-1 underwent an only transient increase in 5/8 patients. Opposite changes of insulin and IGFBP-1 levels, with a decrease of the former followed by an increase of the latter were noted during the 8 hours following an octreotide nasal insufflation. During chronic octreotide treatment, positive correlations were found between GH and IGF-I, GH and IGFBP-3, IGF-I and IGFBP-3, insulin and IGFBP-3 and insulin and IGF-I. An improvement of the clinical picture was registered in all patients after a few days of octreotide nasal powder administration. Treatment was well tolerated, with only mild side effects and no significant changes in the nasal mucosa, and the patients' compliance was excellent.     

Altered mental function during intravenous infusion of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor 1

Recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-1 (rhIGF-1) is currently used experimentally to treat patients with insulin-resistant diabetes mellitus, impaired growth, protein malnutrition, and osteoporosis. We report here the case of a marked transient alteration in consciousness in a healthy 22-year-old man who was given an IV infusion of a relatively low dose of rhIGF-1 for 1 hour. This individual developed the sudden onset of dizziness, nausea, coldness, air hunger, and pallor. He became unresponsive to simple questions and experienced diaphoresis, a feeling of warmth, and paresthesias. Although there was a mild fall in heart rate and blood pressure, these hemodynamic effects did not appear sufficient to cause the altered mentation. There were no changes in serum glucose, phosphorus, or potassium that could seem to account for these events. This individual recovered completely several minutes after stopping the rhIGF-1 infusion.     

The insulin-like growth factor I receptor: a key to tumor growth?

We report the case of a hemophiliac in whom developed an unusual site of intracranial bleeding, a subdural hematoma that extended in the posterior fossa anteriorly from the clivus into the upper spinal subdural space. The hematoma was delayed in onset and was fatal. We review the current management recommendations for hemophiliac patients with head injury and the clinical presentation of intracranial bleeding in hemophiliacs. The necessity for Factor VIII replacement and serial computed tomography scans is emphasized.