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Functional expression of insulin receptor substrate-1 is required for insulin-stimulated mitogenic signaling
S B Waters1, K Yamauchi, J E Pessin
1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242.
Abstract:
To examine the role of the insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) in mediating insulin biological responsiveness, we generated Chinese hamster ovary cell lines expressing antisense IRS-1 RNA. These cells displayed morphological alterations as well as markedly reduced growth rates compared to the parental cells. Furthermore, the antisense IRS-1 cell lines had decreased insulin-stimulated IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation, reduced phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activation, and decreased thymidine incorporation relative to the parental cell line. Insulin-dependent transcriptional regulation of a serum response element/luciferase reporter construct (SRE-Luc) was also reduced in the antisense IRS-1-expressing cell lines. However, co-transfection with a plasmid directing the expression of rat IRS-1 fully restored insulin-stimulated SRE-Luc activity in the IRS-1 antisense cell lines. Thus, the inhibition in insulin signaling was a specific effect of decreased IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation. Taken together, these data demonstrate that insulin regulation of mitogenic signaling requires the functional expression of IRS-1 and documents its central importance in the insulin intracellular signaling pathway.
Insights
Insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) is crucial for insulin signaling. Reduced IRS-1 levels impair cell growth and insulin
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) is a key mediator of insulin signaling.
- Understanding IRS-1's role is vital for comprehending insulin's biological effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of IRS-1 in mediating insulin's biological responsiveness.
- To elucidate the impact of reduced IRS-1 expression on insulin signaling pathways.
Main Methods:
- Generated Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines expressing antisense IRS-1 RNA.
- Assessed cell morphology, growth rates, and insulin-stimulated signaling pathways.
- Measured IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) activation, and thymidine incorporation.
Main Results:
- Antisense IRS-1 CHO cells showed altered morphology and reduced growth rates.
- Decreased insulin-stimulated IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation and PI3K activation were observed.
- Insulin-dependent transcriptional regulation via SRE-Luc was significantly reduced.
Conclusions:
- Functional expression of IRS-1 is essential for insulin-regulated mitogenic signaling.
- IRS-1 plays a central role in the intracellular insulin signaling pathway.
- Reduced IRS-1 specifically inhibits insulin-induced signaling events.
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