The effects of trypsin and phospholipase C on insulin binding and action in the isolated adipocyte

The effect of alterations to the insulin receptor on the insulin sensitivity of isolated adipocytes was studied. Receptor changes were induced by treatment of adipocytes with either phospholipase C or trypsin. After enzyme treatment, binding of insulin to insulin receptors and insulin-mediated glucose metabolism were examined. Exposure of adipocytes to phospholipase C (2 units/ml) significantly increased insulin binding to the cells, but destroyed the ability of the cells to oxidize glucose. After treatment with trypsin (500 micrograms/ml) for 5 min, insulin binding to the adipocytes was significantly increased. This was shown to be due to an increase in insulin-receptor affinity. Metabolic studies showed that trypsin treatment led to an increase in basal glucose transport but markedly decreased the response to insulin at all concentrations tested. Adipocytes treated with trypsin showed no significant difference in basal glucose oxidation rates when compared with controls, but were less sensitive to insulin at low insulin concentrations, and showed a decreased maximum response at high insulin concentrations. In conclusion, these findings indicate a dissociation between induced changes in binding of insulin to insulin receptors and subsequent hormone action. The importance of post-receptor events in the biological action of insulin is highlighted.