Increased turnover of surface insulin receptors in fibroblastic cultures from genetically diabetic (DB/DB) mice

The turnover of surface insulin receptors in fibroblastic cultures from genetically diabetic (db/db) mice and nondiabetic (m/m) littermates has been determined by combining a heavy isotope density shift technique with cross-linking of insulin to surface receptors. Our results indicate that the surface insulin receptors turn over faster in diabetic cells than in nondiabetic cells. In addition, fewer receptors are incorporated into the plasma membrane per hour in diabetic cells than in nondiabetic cells. It is possible to propose a model to account for the altered expression of surface insulin receptors in diabetic cells on the basis of abnormalities of receptor incorporation and turnover.