Insulin rapidly induces nuclear translocation of PI3-kinase in HepG2 cells

Insulin action on nuclear PI3-Kinase and IRS-1 was explored in HepG2 cells. Following insulin treatment, the cells were subjected to subcellular fractionation. Western blot analyses were carried out to identify IRS-1 and PI3-Kinase in the nuclear and postnuclear preparations. IRS-1 protein was identified in the nucleus under basal condition. Insulin had no effect in the content of nuclear IRS-1. In contrast, PI3-Kinase was not detected under basal condition. However, insulin treatment for 1 to 10 min caused significant increase of PI3-Kinase in the nucleus while it induced corresponding decrease of PI3-Kinase in cytoplasm. Strikingly, Insulin stimulated the association of IRS-1 and PI3-Kinase in the nucleus in a similar kinetics with the nuclear translocation of PI3-Kinase. These results suggest that insulin induces nuclear translocation of PI3-Kinase and the translocated PI3-Kinase associates with nuclear IRS-1. The association of IRS-1 and PI3-Kinase in the nucleus in response to insulin may play important roles in nuclear insulin actions.