Purification and immunochemical interrelationship of insulin receptors from rat brain and liver

Insulin receptors from rat brain and liver were purified. Brain purified receptor exhibited protein bands of apparent Mr = 135,000 and 95,000 molecular weight corresponding to alpha- and beta-subunits, retained a tyrosine specific protein kinase activity and demonstrated phosphorylation that is hormonally sensitive. Antisera were raised against both insulin receptor preparations and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed. The comparison of two insulin receptors was based on a displacement enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay where antisera were interchanged on predetermined optimal dilutions. This indicated that both insulin receptors possess some unique antigenic determinants thereby implying a structural difference.