[Identification and properties of insulin receptors in neuroblastoma C 1300 N 18 cells in various functional states]

The presence of insulin receptors in neuroblastoma C 1300 N18 cells was shown by the method of the [125I]insulin binding with cells as well as by the electron-cytochemical methods based on the analysis of the binding of colloid gold-labelled insulin and of agglutinin of wheat embryos with the surface of plasma membrane. It is established that the number and distribution of insulin receptors depend on the functional state of cells. Expression of receptors on the membrane increases after 5'-deoxyuridine-induced differentiation of cells. Due to changes in the lipid composition of cells caused by the incubation with lecithin-cholesterol liposomes (an increase in the content of cholesterol and its esters, as well as of unsaturated fatty acids and appearance of lysolecithin) the quantity of insulin receptors decreases and cell membranes are damaged. The lowering insulin regulation is not observed for insulin receptors of the neuroblastoma C 1300 N18 cells.