Increased monocyte receptor binding of [125I]insulin in infants of gestational diabetic mothers.

Monocyte insulin receptor binding has been shown to be inversely correlated with basal insulin concentrations in a variety of clinical conditions and is believed to reflect autoregulation of receptor properties of insulin. We examined the insulin receptor in the infant of the gestational diabetic mother (IGDM) where hyperinsulinism has been implicated in the attendant metabolical abnormalities. Insulin concentrations in plasma of cord blood of IGDM were significantly greater than in normals delivered between 36-38 weeks by elective cesarean section (101.3 +/- 9.8 vs. 59.9 +/- 9.4 microU/ml; P less than 0.005). [125I]Insulin binding to receptors of monocytes obtained from cord blood showed that IGDM had more receptor sites per monocyte than normal adults and normal infants. In normal infants of similar gestational age, a significant correlation was found between birthweight and binding which was not observed in IGDM. Monocytes from both normal infants and IGDM showed greater affinity for insulin than those from adults. At plasma insulin concentrations of 1 and 4 ng/ml, monocytes from IGDM had about 10 times and normal infants had about 4 times as many sites occupied as those from normal adults. Monocytes from IGDM seem to develop increased concentrations of insulin receptors with hyperinsulinemia. Thus, despite increased ambient levels of insulin, monocytes of IGDM seem to develop increased concentrations of insulin receptor as well as increased affinity for the hormone.     

125I]hCG binding to bovine thecal tissue from healthy and atretic antral follicles

[125I]hCG binding to thecal tissue from healthy bovine follicles was examined and compared to [125I]hCG binding to other bovine ovarian tissues. [125I]hCG bound specifically to theca interna but not to theca externa. Binding to theca interna was a time- and temperature-dependent process, the rate of association obeying second-order kinetics with calculated rate constants of 1.97 +/- 0.13 X 10(5) and 0.85 +/- 0.04 X 10(5) 1 M-1 sec-1 at 37 and 22 degrees C, respectively. The dissociation of [125I]hCG from theca interna was a slow biphasic process with only 40% of specifically bound [125I]hCG being liberated after 8 h at 37 degrees C. Unlabelled hCG and LH, but not FSH, prolactin, GH, TSH or GnRH, inhibited [125I]hCG binding to theca interna. The specific binding of [125I]hCG to theca interna was saturable and equilibrium binding data produced a linear plot when fitted to the Woolf equation. The equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) and maximum binding capacity (Bmax) calculated from Woolf plots were 0.21 +/- 0.02 nM (mean +/- SEM) and 34 +/- 4 fmoles/mg protein, respectively. Constants for [125I]hCG binding to granulosa cells and luteal tissue, respectively, were 0.29 +/- 0.02 and 0.31 +/- 0.04 nM for the Kd values and 32 +/- 6 and 116 +/- 13 fmoles/mg protein for the Bmax values. [125I]hCG binding constants for small (less than 8 mm dia.) and large (greater than or equal to 8 mm dia.) follicles (healthy or atretic) were not significantly different. In addition, there was no difference in the [125I]hCG binding constants of healthy and atretic follicles (large or small).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Characterization of insulin-like growth factor I receptor on human erythrocytes

[125I]Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) specifically bound to erythrocytes; the binding was saturable, and time and temperature dependent. Steady state binding was reached at 16 h at 4 C, and specific binding averaged 14.3 +/- 0.7% (+/- SEM) at a concentration of 3.6 X 10(9) cells/ml in seven normal subjects. [125I]IGF-I binding to the cells was displaced by unlabeled IGF-I in a dose-dependent manner. Scatchard analysis indicated a linear plot, and Ka and number of binding sites/cell were 1.43 +/- 0.07 X 10(9) M-1 and 20.7 +/- 2.2, respectively. Compared to IGF-I, the relative potencies of multiplication-stimulating activity and insulin for displacing [125I]IGF-I binding were 20% and 1%, respectively. [125I]IGF-I binding to erythrocytes from patients with acromegaly was lower than binding to cells from pituitary dwarfs. An inverse correlation between plasma IGF-I level and the number of IGF-I-binding sites per cell was found (r = -0.75; P less than 0.005). These results demonstrate that [125I]IGF-I binding to erythrocytes can be used for clinical measurement of the IGF-I receptor.     

Insulin-like growth factor I and insulin potentiate luteinizing hormone-induced androgen synthesis by rat ovarian thecal-interstitial cells

We tested the hypothesis that insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and insulin play a role in androgen production by rat ovarian thecal-interstitial cells. Collagenase/DNase-dispersed rat ovarian thecal-interstitial cells obtained from immature hypophysectomized Sprague-Dawley rats were cultured at a concentration of 10(6) cells/ml in serum-free medium in the presence of increasing concentrations of LH, IGF-I, or insulin. The medium was replaced every 48 h, and the androsterone concentration in the culture supernatants was used as an index of androgen production. In the absence of added hormones (control) androsterone levels were consistently less than 0.1 ng/ml. Increasing concentrations of LH stimulated androsterone synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. IGF-I, in the absence of LH, did not significantly increase androsterone levels above control values. However, when combined with 10 ng/ml LH, IGF-I increased androsterone synthesis above levels seen with LH alone in a dose-related fashion: for example, the peak androsterone levels seen with LH and 100 ng/ml (13 nM) IGF-I at 96 h of culture were significantly greater than the peak level seen with 10 ng/ml LH alone (302 +/- 71 vs. 17 +/- 7 ng/ml; P less than 0.0125). Similarly, while insulin alone did not increase androsterone synthesis above control values, androsterone concentrations were increased by insulin in combination with 10 ng/ml LH; a peak value of 240 +/- 67.7 ng/ml was observed at 96 h of culture with 100 ng/ml (18 mM) insulin (P less than 0.025 vs. LH alone) Androsterone levels were slightly less with insulin than with IGF-I, but this difference was not significant. The combination of IGF-I and insulin did not increase levels of androsterone synthesis above those observed with each hormone alone. IGF-I bound to a high affinity binding site on ovarian cell monolayer cultures with an apparent binding affinity of 1.3 x 10(-9) M. Insulin also competed for binding with radiolabeled IGF-I in a dose-dependent manner, but the affinity of insulin was approximately 500-fold less; half-maximal inhibition of [125I] IGF-I binding occurred with an insulin concentration of approximately 300 nM (or approximately 1700 ng/ml). Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of thecal-interstitial cell monolayers affinity labeled with radiolabeled IGF-I in the absence and presence of unlabeled hormone revealed proteins with characteristics of type I IGF receptors. Affinity labeling to a protein of a relative molecular mass of approximately 45,000 was also noted, probably representing IGF carrier proteins synthesized by thecal-interstitial cell monolayers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Decreased insulin binding to pancreatic islets of genetically obese (fa/fa) rats

Binding of insulin and insulin secretion were studied in isolated pancreatic islets of homozygous obese fa/fa rats, their lean littermates (Fa/?) and Wistar rats. Despite normoglycemia fa/fa rats exhibit hyperinsulinemia. Glucose-induced insulin secretion from pancreatic islets in vitro was increased by more than 50% in fa/fa rats compared with islets of lean littermates and normal Wistar rats when calculated per microgram islet protein. Exogenous insulin inhibited glucose (16.7 mM)-induced insulin secretion in islets of either of these rats, and maximum inhibition was rather the same (secretion was reduced by 62.3-65.6%). However, the EC50 (half-maximal effective concentration) for inhibition was increased in fa/fa rats being 1.4 +/- 0.1 nM compared with 0.6 +/- 0.2 and 0.5 +/- 0.2 nM in lean littermates and Wistar rats, respectively (P less than 0.05 vs. fa/fa rats). Islets of fa/fa rats found 24% less [125I]insulin (P less than 0.01) than islets of lean littermates and of Wistar rats. Scatchard analysis of data of displacement of [125I]insulin binding by native insulin showed 2 binding sites; a decrease in the number of high affinity insulin binding sites (Bmax) from 4.2 +/- 1.3 and 4.7 +/- 1.6 fmol/mg protein to 2.6 +/- 0.7 fmol/mg protein was calculated when islets of lean littermates and normal Wistar rats were compared to islets of fa/fa rats. The Kd of the high affinity binding site was not changed (0.77 +/- 0.06, 0.78 +/- 0.11 and 0.61 +/- 0.14 nM, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Epidermal growth factor enhances [125I]iodo-follicle-stimulating hormone binding by cultured porcine granulosa cells

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been shown to have diverse effects on granulosa cells (GC). Although a potent mitogen for GC from several species, EGF attenuates many FSH-mediated processes associated with GC differentiation, suggesting that EGF promotes cell proliferation at the expense of cell differentiation. The extent to which EGF effects involve modulation of the FSH receptor level in proliferating GC has not been established. Accordingly, we investigated the effect of EGF on [125I]iodo-FSH binding by porcine GC isolated from small follicles maintained in monolayer cultures. Relative to cells cultured in medium with insulin alone, EGF treatment increased total monolayer [125I]iodo-FSH binding (per culture) 120% (P less than 0.005). This was due to a 40-50% (P less than 0.01) increase in binding per U protein and/or per U cell and a 40-60% (P less than 0.005) increase in both monolayer cell and protein contents. EGF stimulated GC hyperplasia, but not hypertrophy. Optimum EGF doses for increased total monolayer [125I]iodo-FSH binding and binding normalized per U protein or cell were 0.5 and 0.1 ng/ml, respectively. Fibroblast growth factor was 20- to 100-fold less potent than EGF, and thrombin was without effect. Whereas [125I]iodo-FSH binding per U protein or cell was not affected by the serum concentration of the culture medium, the EGF effects on total monolayer binding and cell proliferation were directly related to the serum concentration (P less than 0.005). Thus, EGF-mediated increases in total monolayer [125I]iodo-FSH binding were paralleled by increases in cell number. The equilibrium dissociation constants (Kd) for [125I]iodo-FSH binding to cells cultured with and without EGF were 5.3 and 2.5 X 10(-10) M, respectively. Thus, EGF treatment significantly increased FSH receptor number, but significantly decreased receptor-binding affinity (P less than 0.05). Chronic FSH treatment during monolayer culture decreased total monolayer [125I]iodo-FSH binding and binding per U protein or per cell and attenuated EGF-stimulated cell proliferation, but markedly stimulated cell hypertrophy. Thus, concomitant treatment with EGF and FSH stimulated cell hypertrophy rather than hyperplasia. EGF and FSH each would appear capable of modulating the action of the other with respect to GC function. Our results indicate that EGF-mediated GC proliferation is associated with the expression of FSH-binding sites. This appears to be due to both an increase in FSH receptors among the cell population and an increase in the monolayer cell population.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Processing and release of insulin and insulin-like growth factor I by macro- and microvascular endothelial cells

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) processing by macro- and microvascular endothelial cells was investigated. Specific binding of insulin and IGF-I on the capillary endothelial cells derived from rat fat pads was 4 +/- 0.5% (+/- SE) and 4.3 +/- 0.3%/mg protein, respectively, in contrast to bovine aortic endothelial cells, which bound 9.3 +/- 0.3% IGF-I/mg protein. Both binding and processing of insulin and IGF-I were time and temperature dependent in macro- and microvascular endothelial cells. After 30 min at 37 C, between 40-50% of the bound IGF-I and insulin were internalized in both capillary and aortic endothelial cells, whereas 20-25% insulin and 15-20% IGF-I internalization were observed at 15 C. Less than 20% internalization was observed for both insulin and IGF-I at 4 C. Cellular inhibitors of hormone processing, such as chloroquine and monensin, enhanced cell-associated insulin at 37 C on the bovine aortic endothelial cells from 4.7% to 10.4 +/- 1% and 9.9 +/- 2% mg protein, respectively, at 60 min. Similarly, chloroquine and monensin increased the amount of [125I]IGF-I associated with aortic endothelial cells from 4.3 +/- 0.2% to 5.5 +/- 0.3% and 6.2 +/- 0.7%/mg protein, respectively. Chloroquine and monensin increased [125I]insulin associated with rat capillary endothelial cells from a control of 2.9 +/- 0.1% to 4.0 +/- 0.2% and 3.8% +/- 0.37%, respectively. No effect of chloroquine and monensin was observed on [125I]IGF-I binding to rat capillary endothelial cells. Leupeptin, a lysosomal protease inhibitor, did not affect insulin or IGF-I binding in either cell type. The internalized insulin and IGF-I were both rapidly released, with 70-80% of both hormones being detected in the medium by 120 min. The released hormones were mostly intact (greater than 80-90%), as assessed by trichloroacetic acid precipitability, gel filtration, and immunoprecipitation. Both insulin and IGF-I induced corresponding down-regulation of their receptors, as shown by a 66 +/- 7% decrease in insulin binding in the capillary endothelial cells and a 72 +/- 1% and 58 +/- 1% decrease in IGF-I binding in the aortic and capillary endothelial cells, respectively. Thus, macro- and microvascular endothelial cells bind and process insulin and IGF-I by degradative and nondegradative pathways. The predominance of the nondegradative pathway for the processing of insulin and IGF-I and the modulation of their receptors by physiological hormone concentrations suggested that endothelial cells may regulate the access of insulin and IGF-I to their target cells.     

2[125I]Iodomelatonin binding sites in guinea pig platelets

Using 2[125I]iodomelatonin as the radioligand, we characterized 2[125I]iodomelatonin binding sites in guinea pig platelet membrane preparations. Saturation radioreceptor studies indicated that these 2[125I]iodomelatonin binding sites were of picomolar affinity and femtomolar density. The dissociation constant (Kd) and maximum number of receptor sites (Bmax) were 42.5 +/- 1.79 pM and 11.8 +/- 0.8 fmol/mg protein (n = 6), respectively. 2[125I]Iodomelatonin competition studies with indoles or drugs indicate the following rank order of potency: 2-iodomelatonin > melatonin > 6-chloromelatonin > 6-hydroxymelatonin > N-acetylserotonin > 5-methoxytryptophol, whereas serotonin and its analogs had less than 20% inhibition at 0.1 mM. Guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) significantly increased the Kd by twofold suggesting that these binding sites are coupled to the guanine nucleotide binding proteins. Immunoblotting studies using anti-MT(1) IgG demonstrated one peptide blockable band with an apparent molecular mass of 37 kDa. Melatonin had no effect on prostacyclin or forskolin-stimulated intracellular 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate accumulation. A diurnal variation in binding density, which was abolished after the animals were adapted to constant light conditions, was observed. Age related studies demonstrated that Bmax increased as the animal matured. Physiological melatonin concentrations potentiated whereas those at pharmacological levels inhibited adenosine diphosphate- or arachidonic acid-stimulated platelet aggregation. Our study demonstrated G-protein coupled, saturable, reversible and highly specific picomolar affinity 2[125I]iodomelatonin binding sites in guinea pig platelets. Pharmocological and physiological data indicate that they may be different from the nanomolar [3H]melatonin binding sites in human platelets previously reported.     

Use of 2-[125I]iodomelatonin to characterize melatonin binding sites in chicken retina

2-[125I]Iodomelatonin binds with high affinity to a site possessing the pharmacological characteristics of a melatonin receptor in chicken retinal membranes. The specific binding of 2-[125I]iodomelatonin is stable, saturable, and reversible. Saturation experiments indicated that 2-[125I]iodomelatonin labeled a single class of sites with an affinity constant (Kd) of 434 +/- 56 pM and a total number of binding sites (Bmax) of 74.0 +/- 13.6 fmol/mg of protein. The affinity constant obtained from kinetic analysis was in close agreement with that obtained in saturation experiments. Competition experiments showed a monophasic reduction of 2-[125I]iodomelatonin binding with a pharmacological order of indole amine affinities characteristic of a melatonin receptor: 2-iodomelatonin greater than 6-chloromelatonin greater than or equal to melatonin greater than or equal to 6,7-dichloro-2-methylmelatonin greater than 6-hydroxymelatonin greater than or equal to 6-methoxymelatonin much greater than N-acetyltryptamine greater than N-acetyl-5-hydroxytryptamine greater than 5-methoxytryptamine greater than 5-hydroxytryptamine (inactive). The affinities of these melatonin analogs in competing for 2-[125I]iodomelatonin binding sites were correlated closely with their potencies for inhibition of the calcium-dependent release of [3H]dopamine from chicken and rabbit retinas, indicating association of the binding site with a functional response regulated by melatonin. The results indicate that 2-[125I]iodomelatonin is a selective, high-affinity radioligand for the identification and characterization of melatonin receptor sites.     

Characterization of high affinity receptors for insulin-like growth factors I and II on rat anterior pituitary cells

Primary cultures of rat anterior pituitary cells were assessed for the presence of specific receptors for insulin and for the somatomedin peptides, insulin-like growth factors I and II (IGF-I and IGF-II). Specific binding per 100,000 pituitary cells averaged 9.45 +/- 1.69% (mean +/- SD) for [125I]IGF-II, 0.83 +/- 0.06% for [125I]IGF-I, and only 0.11% for [125I]insulin, IGF-II was twice as potent as IGF-I in displacing [125I]IGF-II, while insulin was totally nonreactive, IGF-I was 5-fold more potent than IGF-II at displacing [125I]IGF-I and 1000-fold more potent than insulin. Scatchard analysis of [125I]IGF-II binding revealed a curvilinear plot, which could be resolved into a high affinity receptor with a Ka of 7.0 X 10(8) M-1 and 120,000 receptor sites/cell, and a low affinity receptor with a Ka of 1.1 X 10(8) M-1 and 720,000 receptor sites/cell. The existence of abundant high affinity somatomedin receptors (especially for IGF-II) on rat anterior pituitary cells is consistent with a potential role for these peptides in the regulation of GH secretion.     

Interaction of insulin-like growth factor I with porcine thyroid cells cultured in monolayer

The interaction of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) with porcine thyroid cells cultured in monolayer was studied. Specific binding of [125I]iodo-IGF-I to thyroid cells was a reversible process dependent on the time and temperature of incubation. A steady state was achieved in 18 h at 4 C and averaged 14.2 +/- 2% (mean +/- SD)/10(6) cells. Binding of [125I]iodo-IGF-I was inhibited by unlabeled IGF-I; half-maximal inhibition occurred at concentrations of 2-5 ng/ml. Multiplication-stimulating activity (rat IGF-II) and pork insulin had relative potencies of 1:20 and 1:300 compared with IGF-I. Scatchard analysis of binding data revealed a single class of IGF-I receptors with a Ka of 4.3 X 10(10) M-1, 49,000 binding sites were estimated per cell. Affinity cross-linking and autoradiography demonstrated the presence of type I IGF receptors. Thyroid cells also had specific receptors for insulin, but specific binding of [125I]iodoinsulin (2.03 +/- 0.03%/10(6) cells) was much lower than that of [125I]iodo-IGF-I. Preincubation of thyroid cells with IGF-I or insulin caused a concentration-dependent decrease in [125I]iodo-IGF-I binding due to an apparent loss of receptors. Preincubation with epidermal growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, or TSH did not alter subsequent binding of [125I]iodo-IGF-I. Low concentrations of IGF-I stimulated DNA synthesis and proliferation of thyroid cells and acted synergistically with epidermal growth factor. Multiplication-stimulating activity and insulin had relative potencies in stimulating DNA synthesis comparable to their abilities to inhibit the binding of [125I]iodo-IGF-I to thyroid cells, suggesting that their effects are mediated primarily by IGF-I receptors. Preincubation with IGF-I did not alter cAMP responsiveness to TSH. We, thus, demonstrated the presence of functional and regulated IGF-I receptors on porcine thyroid cells.     

Elevated serum levels of free insulin-like growth factor I in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of anovulation in women. Previous studies suggest that the pathogenesis of PCOS may involve interrelated abnormalities of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and ovarian steroidogenesis systems. We investigated this hypothesis in fasting serum samples from 140 women with PCOS (age, 27.4 +/- 0.4 yr; body mass index, 26.3 +/- 0.5 kg/m2; mean +/- SEM). IGF-related parameters were also studied in a group of normoovulatory women (n = 26; age, 26 +/- 4 yr; body mass index, 23.6 +/- 4.3 kg/m2). For the PCOS group, the mean testosterone (T) level was 2.5 +/- 0.1 nmol/L, and it was significantly correlated with LH (r = 0.41; P < 10(-6)), estrone (r = 0.33; P = 0.016), estradiol (r = 0.18; P = 0.04), and androstenedione (AD; P < 10(-6)), but not with dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (P = 0.71), a marker of adrenal steroidogenesis. T and AD were also related to total ovarian follicle number and ovarian size, as previously found with normoovulatory women (1). There were no differences between the PCOS subjects and the normoovulatory group for total IGF-I, IGF-II, or IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3). However, IGFBP-1 levels were significantly decreased in the PCOS group (1.0 +/- 0.2 vs. 7.3 +/- 1.1 ng/mL; P < 0.001) and were inversely correlated with serum insulin levels (r = -0.50; P < 10(-8)). Serum levels of free IGF-I (fIGF-I) were elevated (5.9 +/- 0.3 vs. 2.7 +/- 0.3 ng/mL; P < 0.001) in inverse relation with IGFBP-1 (r = -0.31; P = 0.046). Serum fIGF-I levels were related to total follicle number (r = - 0.35; P < 10(-4)) and to the ratio of sex hormone-binding globulin to T (r = -0.23; P = 0.009). However, these relationships were not independent of other variables. Despite the more than 2-fold elevation in fIGF-I levels, significant relationships between fIGF-I and markers of ovarian steroidogenesis (T, AD, estradiol, and estrone) could not be demonstrated. In conclusion, although we confirmed correlations between LH and hyperandrogenemia and have found abnormalities in the IGF system in a large cohort of PCOS subjects, a direct relationship between hyperandrogenism and the IGF system could not be shown. Previous studies suggest that elevated LH and hyperinsulinemia lead to excess ovarian androgen synthesis in PCOS and that the intraovarian IGF system is important for normal follicle development and may be important in the arrested state of follicle development in PCOS. However, the data presented in this cross-sectional study suggest that insulin-related changes in circulating IGFBP-1 and subsequent elevation of fIGF-I reflect insulin resistance and have little enhancing effects on ovarian steroidogenesis in this disorder.     

Characteristics and autoradiographic localization of 2-[125I]iodomelatonin binding sites in Djungarian hamster brain

These studies investigated the characteristics and regional distribution of 2-[125I]iodomelatonin binding in Djungarian hamster brain. The results showed that 2-[125I]iodomelatonin labels two types of binding sites, which resemble the ML-1 and ML-2 melatonin subtypes previously described in other tissues. The 2-[125I]iodomelatonin binding site identified in whole brain membranes has a nanomolar affinity (Kd = 1.48 +/- 0.26 nM) and biochemical and pharmacological characteristics identical to those of the ML-2 site of Syrian hamster whole brain. The 2-[125I]iodomelatonin site in the hypothalamus has a picomolar affinity (Kd = 43.4 +/- 5.1 pM) and resembles the ML-1 site of chicken retina. The localization of 2-[125I]iodomelatonin labeling in autoradiographic studies of the Djungarian hamster brain includes the suprachiasmatic nuclei, the median eminence, the reuniens nucleus, and the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus.     

2-[125I]iodomelatonin binding sites in hamster brain membranes: pharmacological characteristics and regional distribution

Studies in a variety of seasonally breeding mammals have shown that melatonin mediates photoperiodic effects on reproduction. Relatively little is known, however, about the site(s) or mechanisms of action of this hormone for inducing reproductive effects. Although binding sites for [3H]melatonin have been reported previously in bovine, rat, and hamster brain, the pharmacological selectivity of these sites was never demonstrated. In the present study, we have characterized binding sites for a new radioligand, 2-[125I]iodomelatonin, in brains from a photoperiodic species, the Syrian hamster. 2-[125I]Iodomelatonin labels a high affinity binding site in hamster brain membranes. Specific binding of 2-[125I]iodomelatonin is rapid, stable, saturable, and reversible. Saturation studies demonstrated that 2-[125I]iodomelatonin binds to a single class of sites with an affinity constant (Kd) of 3.3 +/- 0.5 nM and a total binding capacity (Bmax) of 110.2 +/- 13.4 fmol/mg protein (n = 4). The Kd value determined from kinetic analysis (3.1 +/- 0.9 nM; n = 5) was very similar to that obtained from saturation experiments. Competition experiments showed that the relative order of potency of a variety of indoles for inhibition of 2-[125I]iodomelatonin binding site to hamster brain membranes was as follows: 6-chloromelatonin greater than or equal to 2-iodomelatonin greater than N-acetylserotonin greater than or equal to 6-methoxymelatonin greater than or equal to melatonin greater than 6-hydroxymelatonin greater than or equal to 6,7-dichloro-2-methylmelatonin greater than 5-methoxytryptophol greater than 5-methoxytryptamine greater than or equal to 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine greater than N-acetyltryptamine greater than serotonin greater than 5-methoxyindole (inactive). Compounds known to act at serotonergic, adrenergic, or dopaminergic receptors were either inactive or relatively ineffective as compared to melatonin. These results suggest that 2-[125I]iodomelatonin is a selective, high affinity probe for identifying melatonin receptor binding sites in rodent brain.     

Modulation of aromatase and P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme activities of human placental cytotrophoblasts by insulin and insulin-like growth factor I

The placenta is the primary source of estrogens and progesterone during pregnancy. Because pregnant diabetic women are reported to have lower serum estrogen and higher progesterone concentrations than nondiabetic pregnant women, we studied the roles of insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in the regulation of human cytotrophoblastic aromatase and P450 side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450 SCC) activities. Incubation of cytotrophoblasts with insulin or IGF-I for 24 h significantly inhibited the conversion of androstenedione to estrogens by approximately 20-40%. Insulin and IGF-I suppressed aromatization at doses as low as 20 and 10 ng/ml, respectively. Insulin's suppressive effect was demonstrable only after 18-22 h of incubation, suggesting an effect of insulin on aromatase protein mass rather than on aromatase activity. Cytotrophoblasts pretreated with insulin for 24 h possessed 23-30% less aromatase activity than control cells, as quantitated directly by the specific release of 3H2O from [3H]androstenedione, indicating that insulin inhibited estrogen synthesis rather than increased estrogen catabolism. Insulin's suppressive effect on aromatase was not due to a toxic effect of insulin, since incubates exposed to insulin for 24 h showed no decrease in cell number, cellular DNA content, or cellular protein content compared to control incubates. Also, insulin's suppression of aromatization was not due to increased cAMP phosphodiesterase activity, since cotreatment with 1 mM (Bu)2cAMP did not alter insulin's suppressive effect. Blockade of the IGF-I receptor of cytotrophoblasts with alpha IR-3, a monoclonal anti-IGF-I receptor antibody, prevented the suppression of aromatase activity by IGF-I, but did not alter insulin's inhibitory effect. This suggests that the two hormones inhibit aromatization via activation of their specific receptors and not by cross-association. Insulin treatment did not affect P450 SCC activity, whereas IGF-I treatment significantly stimulated P450 SCC activity by 19-36%, as measured by the conversion of 25-hydroxycholesterol to progesterone. These studies indicate that insulin exerts a selective inhibitory effect on cytotrophoblastic aromatase activity, whereas IGF-I inhibits aromatase activity but stimulates P450 SCC activity. Since pregnant diabetic women manifest peripheral hyperinsulinemia, and IGF-I levels in fetal cord sera from diabetic pregnancies are elevated, these observations may help explain the lower serum estrogen and elevated progesterone levels associated with diabetic pregnancy.     

Localization of central angiotensin II receptors with [125I]-sar1, ile8-angiotensin II: periventricular sites of the anterior third ventricle

The radiolabeled angiotensin II (ANG II) antagonist, [N 125I]-sar1,ile8-ANG II, was used to study brain ANG II receptors by both homogenate binding and in vitro autoradiography. In homogenate preparations of the hypothalamus, thalamus, septum and midbrain (HTSM), [125I]-sar1,ile8-ANG II bound to a single class (Hill slope 0.84 +/- 0.05) of high affinity binding sites (KD 0.42 +/- 0.03 nM, Bmax 5.98 +/- fmol/mg protein). Competition for the [125I]-sar1,ile8-ANG II binding site in HTSM membranes demonstrated a rank order potency characteristic of binding to the ANG II receptor, with the unlabeled antagonist being slightly more potent than ANG II (Ki 0.22 +/- 0.03 vs 0.95 +/- 0.06 nM, respectively). Brain slices from the region of the rostral third ventricle were incubated with 0.5 nM[125I]-sar1,ile8-ANG II in the presence or absence of 1 microM ANG II and exposed to LKB Ultrofilm. Autoradiographic images of [125I]-sar1,ile8-ANG II binding revealed that structures situated within the anterior wall of the third ventricle, i.e. the lamina terminalis, were heavily labeled; including the subfornical organ, median preoptic nucleus and organum vasculosum laminae terminalis. These results show the utility of [125I]-sar1,ile8-ANG II as a probe to study brain ANG II receptors and provides pharmacological evidence for the rostral third ventricle as a possible site for central ANG II actions.     

Comparison of [125I]somatomedin A and [125I]somatomedin C radioreceptor assays for somatomedin peptide content in whole and acid-chromatographed plasma.

The placental membrane radioreceptor assay was used to measure the levels of somatomedin (SM) peptides in plasma. Displacement of both [125I]somatomedin A ([125I]SM-A) and [125I]somatomedin C ([125I]SM-C) by normal whole plasma, the peptide fraction of acid-chromatographed plasma, and a partially purified, insulin-free SM preparation were compared. The peptide fraction of plasma was isolated by acid chromatography over Sephadex G-50 in 0.25 M formic acid with a yield of greater than or equal to 90%, as determined by bioassay and [125I]SM. In the case of [125I]SM-A, the dose-response curves for whole plasma, acid-chromatographed plasma, and the standard SM preparation were parallel (P less than 0.2). In contrast, for [125I]SM-C, the dose-response curves for acid-chromatographed plasma and the purified SM preparation were parallel (P less than 0.2), but both differed significantly from that of whole plasma (P less than 0.001). In addition, there was less variability in the assay of acid-chromatographed plasma compared to whole plasma. The results indicate that radioreceptor assay of unextracted normal plasma using [125I]SM-A is a valid measure of SM peptide concentration, while radioreceptor assay of unextracted normal plasma using [125I]SM-C, in our hands, is not. Acid chromatography of plasma before its assay is an uncomplicated procedure which allows valid and precise measurement of SM peptide content using either [125I]SM-A or [125I]SM-C.     

Evidence for insulin resistance in nonobese patients with polycystic ovarian disease

In this study seven normal weight Indian patients with polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) with no evidence of acanthosis nigricans and 7 age- and weight-matched normal Indian women were studied to determine whether PCOD patients were insulin-resistant. While all 14 women had normal glucose tolerance, the PCOD women had significantly higher mean plasma glucose levels at 30 and 60 min and higher mean incremental glucose areas [incremental areas: PCOD, 9.0 +/- 2.2 (+/- SEM); normal women, 4.0 +/- 0.8 mmol/L; P less than 0.05]. Insulin responses were significantly higher in the PCOD compared to normal women (incremental areas: PCOD, 623.8 +/- 78.3; normal women, 226.2 +/- 30.3 microU/mL; P less than 0.001). Both serum testosterone and androstenedione levels correlated with the insulin areas (r = 0.82; P less than 0.001 and r = 0.86; P less than 0.001, respectively). [125I] Insulin binding to erythrocytes revealed decreased maximum specific binding in the PCOD women (6.9 +/- 0.6%) compared to that in normal women (9.2 +/- 0.7%; P less than 0.02). While Scatchard analysis revealed similar receptor numbers, ID50 values demonstrated decreased receptor affinity in the women with PCOD. In conclusion, in the absence of acanthosis nigricans, nonobese patients with PCOD are insulin resistant, and this insulin resistance correlates with the hyperandrogenism.     

Neonatal rat pinealocytes: typical and atypical characteristics of [125I]iodohydroxybenzylpindolol binding and adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate accumulation

Techniques are described which make it possible to study beta-adrenergic receptors on intact neuroendocrine cells. Receptors were characterized on neonatal pinealocytes using the radioligand [125I]iodohydroxybenzylpindolol ([125I]IHYP). Specific binding of [125I]IHYP, which is 4-fold greater than nonspecific binding, is concentration and temperature dependent, reversible, and saturable. [125I]IHYP binds noncooperatively (Kd = 35 pM), and Scatchard analysis indicates that only a single class of receptor sites for [125I]IHYP is present. Under the conditions used, it appears that there are about 12,000 +/- 1,100 sites/cell. Inhibition of specific [125I]IHYP binding by beta-adrenergic agonists and antagonists is stereospecific, and the relative potency of agonists is characteristic of binding to beta-adrenergic receptors. Analysis of adrenergic stimulation of intracellular cAMP accumulation indicates that similar half-maximal concentrations of antagonists inhibit [125I]IHYP binding and adrenergically stimulated cAMP accumulation. In contrast, beta-adrenergic agonists are considerably more potent in stimulating cAMP than in inhibiting [125I]IHYP binding. Unexpected differences, not previously reportd, were found in the shapes of the cAMP accumulation dose-response curves of norepinephrine and isoproterenol. The relative potencies of these two agonists appear to be partially concentration dependent. This raises the possibility that there may be distinct differences in the intrinsic effects of these compounds on the regulation of intracellular cAMP accumulation in pinealocytes. (Endocrinology 108: 559, 1981)     

Receptor-mediated endocytosis of polypeptide hormones is a regulated process: inhibition of [125I]iodoinsulin internalization in hypoinsulinemic diabetes of rat and man

Much data suggest that receptor-mediated endocytosis is regulated in states of hormone excess. Thus, in hyperinsulinemic states there is an accelerated loss of cell surface insulin receptors. In the present experiments we addressed this question in hypoinsulinemic states, in which insulin binding to cell surface receptors is generally increased. In hepatocytes obtained from hypoinsulinemic streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, [125I]iodoglucagon internalization was increased, while at the same time [125I]iodoinsulin internalization was decreased. The defect in [125I]iodoinsulin internalization was corrected by insulin treatment of the animal. In peripheral blood monocytes from patients with type I insulinopenic diabetes, internalization of [125I]iodoinsulin was impaired; this defect was not present in insulin-treated patients. These data in the hypoinsulinemic rat and human diabetes suggest that receptor-mediated endocytosis is regulated in states of insulin deficiency as well as insulin excess. Delayed or reduced internalization of the insulin-receptor complex could amplify the muted signal caused by deficient hormone secretion.