help button home button Endocrine Society JCEM
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS

This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a related Letter to the Editor
Right arrow Purchase Article
Right arrow View Shopping Cart
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Copyright Permission
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Imai, Y.
Right arrow Articles by Taylor, S. I.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Imai, Y.
Right arrow Articles by Taylor, S. I.
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism Vol. 82, No. 12 4201-4207
Copyright © 1997 by The Endocrine Society


Original Studies

Expression of Variant Forms of Insulin Receptor Substrate-1 Identified in Patients with Noninsulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus1

Yumi Imai, Neubert Philippe, Giorgio Sesti, Domenico Accili and Simeon I. Taylor

Diabetes Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, National Institutes of Health (Y.I., N.P., D.A., S.I.T.), Bethesda, Maryland 20892; and Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, Universita di Roma, "Tor Vergata" (G.S.), Rome, Italy

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Simeon I. Taylor, M.D., Ph.D., National Institutes of Health, Building 10, Room 9S-213, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, Maryland 20892. E-mail: Simeon_Taylor{at}nih.gov


    Abstract
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Several polymorphisms have been identified in the amino acid sequence of human insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1). Some of the variant sequences have been reported to be increased in prevalence among patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). This observation led to the hypothesis that these amino acid substitutions may impair the function of IRS-1, thereby causing the insulin resistance seen in patients with NIDDM. To address this question, we have designed studies to evaluate the effects of three variant sequences identified in our laboratory: Gly819->Arg, Gly972->Arg, and Arg1221->Cys. We constructed four IRS-1 expression vectors for transfection in COS-7 cells: wild-type, single mutant (Gly819->Arg), double mutant (Gly819->Arg; Gly972->Arg), and triple mutant (Gly819->Arg; Gly972->Arg; Arg1221->Cys) IRS-1. The mutations did not alter the level of expression or the extent of insulin receptor-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of recombinant IRS-1. Moreover, the mutations did not lead to a detectable impairment in the association of recombinant IRS-1 with important downstream effectors, including the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and growth factor receptor-binding protein-2.

We conclude that these amino acid substitutions do not appear to cause a major defect in the function of IRS-1, as judged by our assays. However, this type of assay probably lacks the sensitivity to detect subtle functional defects. In light of the suggestive associations observed in epidemiological studies, it is premature to totally discard the hypothesis that variant sequences of IRS-1 may contribute to the pathogenesis of NIDDM. Nevertheless, our studies cannot be interpreted as lending support to that hypothesis.


    Introduction
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
INSULIN resistance and insulin deficiency are two pathophysiological abnormalities in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) (1, 2). Epidemiological evidence suggests that the risk to develop NIDDM is genetically determined (3). It is a plausible hypothesis that patients with NIDDM harbor genetic defects in the pathways of insulin action and/or insulin secretion. Insulin exerts its action by binding to the insulin receptor, thereby activating the receptor tyrosine kinase (4). Mutations found in patients with genetic forms of extreme insulin resistance support the model that the tyrosine kinase activity of the receptor is critical for the metabolic action of insulin (5). However, mutations in the insulin receptor gene are not responsible for the majority of cases of NIDDM. Similarly, mutations in the insulin gene, glucokinase gene, hepatocyte nuclear factor-1{alpha} and -4{alpha} genes, and mitochondrial DNA cause rare forms of NIDDM (6, 7, 8, 9, 10).

Insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) is one of the substrates phosphorylated by the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase. Phosphorylation of one or more tyrosine residues in IRS-1 leads it to bind several proteins with SH2 domains (11): the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) (12), growth factor receptor-binding protein-2 (GRB-2) (13, 14), and SH2 domain-containing phosphotyrosine phosphatase (15). The coupling of IRS-1 with these signaling molecules via their SH2 domains is hypothesized to activate other effector proteins that are important for insulin action. IRS-1 knockout mice have revealed that IRS-1 is important for both mitogenesis and metabolic response; mice lacking IRS-1 exhibit growth retardation and insulin resistance (16, 17).

In light of the role of IRS-1 in insulin action, mutations in the IRS-1 gene might contribute to the insulin resistance observed in patients with NIDDM. This hypothesis has motivated several laboratories to screen for mutations in the IRS-1 gene of patients with NIDDM (18, 19, 20, 21, 22). There are several variant forms of IRS-1 originally identified in patients with NIDDM. However, the pathological significance of these variant sequences is controversial because most of these variants have been found in both diabetic and normal subjects. Nevertheless, some studies have reported an increase in the prevalence of variant forms of IRS-1 in patients with NIDDM, suggesting a pathogenic role for the amino acid substitutions (18, 19, 20, 22). Therefore, in this study we have overexpressed several variant forms of IRS-1 in COS-7 cells to investigate directly whether the amino acid substitutions impair the function of IRS-1.


    Materials and Methods
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Materials

Antiphosphotyrosine antibody (mouse monoclonal), antirat carboxy-terminal IRS-1 antibody (rabbit polyclonal), antirat PI 3-kinase antibody (rabbit polyclonal), and anti-GRB-2 antibody (mouse monoclonal) were obtained from Upstate Biotechnology (Lake Placid, NY). Mammalian expression vector pCMV-human insulin receptor was described previously (23). Human recombinant insulin was obtained from Sigma Chemical Co. (St. Louis, MO).

Construction of human IRS-1 expression vector with variant sequences

We identified a patient with NIDDM who was heterozygous for three amino acids substitutions of IRS-1: Gly819->Arg (G819R), Gly972->Arg (G972R), and Arg1221->Cys (R1221C) (20). The family of the patient was screened for these amino acid substitutions. The spouse also had NIDDM and was heterozygous for the G972R substitution. The two children appeared healthy. Although the daughter was heterozygous for the G972R substitution, the son did not carry any of three substitutions. Because the son did not inherit any of the polymorphic sequences, this suggests that all three substitutions are on the same allele in the parent with three variant sequences. Therefore, we have constructed three IRS-1 expression vectors with the following variant sequences: G972R, G819R-G972R, and G819R-G972R-R1221C. A fragment of human genomic DNA containing the complete coding sequence of IRS-1 was cloned and ligated into pGEM-4Z (Promega, Madison, WI). The sequence of the entire coding region was determined and was identical to the sequence reported by Araki et al. (24). Mutagenesis of human IRS-1 was performed as follows. PCR was performed using as template genomic DNA from a patient who is heterozygous for the G972R substitution. The PCR fragment was digested with BamHI and NheI restriction endonucleases and ligated into pGEM-4Z-wild-type IRS-1 (pGEM-4Z-WT-IRS-1) that had previously been digested with the same enzymes. The method of Higuchi et al. (25) was used to introduce the other variant sequences into IRS-1 complementary DNA (cDNA). The cDNAs encoding WT-IRS-1, G972R-IRS-1, G819R-G972R-IRS-1, and G819R-G972R-R1221C-IRS-1 were then ligated into pcDNA3 mammalian expression vector (Invitrogen Corp., San Diego, CA).

Expression of IRS-1 in COS-7 cells and in vivo tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1

COS-7 cells were cultivated in DMEM with 10% FBS. One day before the experiment, cells were plated in 100 x 20-mm dishes at a density of 5 x 105 cells/dish. Each dish was treated with transfection medium containing 1.6 µg pcDNA3-IRS-1 and 0.2 µg pCMV-human insulin receptor suspended with 64 µL Lipofectamine (Life Technologies, Gaithersburg, MD) in Opti-MEM (Life Technologies). After transfection was carried out for 5 h at 37 C, the media were changed to DMEM with 10% FBS, and cells were incubated for 21 h in a humidified incubator. After this incubation, cells were starved for 3 h in DMEM with 1% insulin-free BSA (Intergen Co., Purchase, NY). Thereafter, cells were stimulated with insulin (0–100 nmol/L) for 2 min, frozen in liquid nitrogen, and solubilized in 0.5 mL lysis buffer [1% Nonidet P-40 (NP-40), 150 mmol/L NaCl, 50 mmol/L HEPES (pH 7.6), 1 mmol/L MgCl2, 1 mmol/L CaCl2, 10% glycerol, 100 mmol/L sodium fluoride, 10 mmol/L sodium pyrophosphate, 2 mmol/L sodium vanadate, 0.3 µg/mL phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride, 1 µg/mL pepstatin A, 1 µg/mL aprotinin, 10 µg/mL chymostatin, 10 µg/mL antipain-dihydrochloride, and 1 µg/mL leupeptin]. Insoluble material was removed by centrifugation at 13,000 x g for 10 min, and the supernatant was saved for analysis by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting.

Immunoprecipitation

Cell lysate (0.5 mL) was incubated with 4 µg anti-IRS-1 antibody overnight at 4 C. Immune complexes were collected by incubation with immobilized protein A (Pierce Chemical Co., Rockford, IL) at 4 C for 2 h. Immobilized protein A was sedimented by centrifugation at 7000 x g for 1 min, washed three times with lysis buffer, and resuspended in 2 x Laemmli sample buffer (26).

Immunoblotting

Cell lysate or immunoprecipitated protein was separated by SDS-PAGE and transferred to a polyvinylidine difluoride (PVDF) membrane using the Xcell II Mini-cell apparatus (Novex, San Diego CA). The blot was placed into 10 mmol/L Tris (pH 7.5) and 150 mmol/L NaCl (TBS) containing 0.2% NP-40 and 3% BSA (blocking buffer) for 30 min at room temperature and incubated with the indicated antibodies in blocking buffer overnight at 4 C. Thereafter, the blot was washed three times for 15 min each time in TBS containing 1% NP-40 and once in TBS. Subsequently, the blot was incubated with horseradish peroxidase-conjugated anti-IgG antibodies in blocking buffer for 1 h at room temperature. The blot was again washed three times for 15 min each time in TBS containing 1% NP-40 and twice in TBS. Proteins were detected by treating the blot with enhanced chemiluminescence (SuperSignal CL-HRP Substrate System, Pierce) and exposing it to Kodak X-AR film (Eastman Kodak, Rochester, NY). Films were quantitated on a Molecular Dynamics densitometer (Molecular Dynamics, Sunnyvale, CA).


    Results
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Tyrosine phosphorylation of WT-IRS-1 and mutant IRS-1 by insulin

COS-7 cells were transiently cotransfected with expression vectors for the human insulin receptor and various forms of human IRS-1 (WT-IRS-1, G972R-IRS-1, G819R-G972R-IRS-1, or G819R-G972R-R1221C-IRS-1). Transfected cells were stimulated with insulin (0–100 nmol/L) for 2 min and lysed. The lysate was analyzed by immunoblotting using antiphosphotyrosine or anti-IRS-1 antibodies as probes. The amino acid substitutions did not significantly alter the level of recombinant IRS-1 protein expressed in the transfected cells (Fig. 1Go and data not shown). We have not directly measured the stability of recombinant IRS-1. However, because it is unlikely that a point mutation would alter the rate of transcription or translation in this type of transient transfection system, the fact that the steady state level of IRS-1 in our system was equivalent suggests that the stability of the mutant proteins is normal. Insulin increased tyrosine phosphorylation of both WT-IRS-1 and variant IRS-1 in a dose-dependent manner (Figs. 1Go and 2Go). Quantitation of immunoreactive bands by densitometry showed that insulin (100 nmol/L) increased phosphorylation of WT-IRS-1 3- to 5-fold over the basal level (Fig. 2Go). The extent of IRS-1 phosphorylation was similar in variant IRS-1 and WT-IRS-1 (Fig. 2Go). Thus, there was no major defect in tyrosine phosphorylation of the three variant forms of IRS-1 compared with that of WT-IRS-1. In control experiments, we transfected COS-7 cells with an empty expression vector lacking the cDNA encoding IRS-1 (Fig. 3Go, lanes 1, 2, 7, and 8). Endogenous IRS-1 was not detected in immunoblots probed with antibodies directed against phosphotyrosine ({alpha}-P-Tyr) or IRS-1 ({alpha}-IRS-1) in these cells. These observations confirm that endogenous levels of IRS-1 are low in COS-7 cells, and that the majority of IRS-1 detected in our assay is recombinant protein whose expression is driven by the expression vector.



View larger version (33K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 1. Insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of WT-IRS-1 and G972R-IRS-1 expressed in COS-7 cells with human insulin receptor. COS-7 cells were transiently cotransfected with expression vectors for the human insulin receptor and either WT-IRS-1 or G972R-IRS-1. These cells were stimulated with the indicated concentration of insulin for 2 min and lysed in detergent. The lysate was separated on 6% SDS-PAGE gel, transferred to PVDF membrane, and blotted with antiphosphotyrosine antibody ({alpha}-P-Tyr) or anti-IRS-1 antibody ({alpha}-IRS-1). This blot is representative of six experiments that we performed.

 


View larger version (12K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 2. Insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of WT-IRS-1 compared with phosphorylation of variant IRS-1 molecules. COS-7 cells were transiently cotransfected with expression vectors for the human insulin receptor and various forms of IRS-1 (WT-, G972R-, G819R/G972R-, or G819R/G972R/R1221C-IRS-1). As described in Fig. 1Go, cells were stimulated with the indicated concentration of insulin for 2 min. Detergent extracts were separated on 6% SDS-PAGE gel, transferred to a PVDF membrane, and blotted with {alpha}-P-Tyr or {alpha}-IRS-1. To quantitate the amount of IRS-1 as well as the phosphotyrosine content, the immunoreactive bands were visualized by enhanced chemiluminescence and quantitated using a Molecular Dynamics densitometer. The estimate of the phosphotyrosine content was divided by the estimate of the quantity of IRS-1 present in each band. Each value is expressed relative to the value for tyrosine phosphorylation of WT-IRS-1 at 100 nmol/L insulin (defined as 100%). The values on the graphs are the mean ± SE of five to seven experiments. The amount of IRS-1 expressed did not differ significantly between WT-IRS-1 and the variant forms of IRS-1.

 


View larger version (47K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 3. Insulin-dependent association of PI 3-kinase and GRB-2 with WT-IRS-1 and mutant IRS-1 in COS-7 cells. COS-7 cells were transiently cotransfected with expression vectors for WT-IRS-1 or G972R-IRS-1 in either the presence or absence of expression vector for the human insulin receptor. As a control, the IRS-1 expression vector was replaced by the empty expression vector (pcDNA3) lacking an insert. Cells were incubated in the presence or absence of insulin (100 nmol/L) for 2 min. IRS-1 was immunoprecipitated from detergent extracts as described in Materials and Methods. Proteins in the immune complexes were separated on 6% SDS-PAGE gels (for phosphotyrosine, IRS-1, and PI 3-kinase blotting) or 12% SDS-PAGE gels (for GRB-2 blotting) and transferred to a PVDF membrane. The membrane was blotted with antibodies as indicated; bands were visualized by enhanced chemiluminescence. The blot is representative of the results of three replicate experiments.

 
Association of p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase with WT and variant forms of IRS-1

First, we overexpressed IRS-1 (WT-IRS-1 and three mutant IRS-1) in COS-7 cells that were not cotransfected with insulin receptor expression vector. Cells were incubated in the presence or absence of insulin (100 nmol/L) and lysed. After immunoprecipitation of cell lysates with antibody to IRS-1, the amount of p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase associated with IRS-1 was determined by densitometric analysis of immunoblots probed with anti-p85 antibody (Fig. 3Go, left half). Insulin increased the association of p85 subunit with WT-IRS-1 about 4-fold over the basal level (Figs. 3Go and 4Go). The association of p85 subunit with IRS-1 was similar in WT-IRS-1 and all three variant molecules (Fig. 4Go). Using antiphosphotyrosine immunoblotting, we did not detect a band corresponding to phosphorylated IRS-1 in cells that were not co-transfected with expression vector for the insulin receptor. Nevertheless, the observation that insulin stimulated association of p85 with IRS-1 provides indirect evidence that insulin stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 under these experimental conditions, although the antiphosphotyrosine blotting techniques appeared to lack sufficient sensitivity to detect this low level of phosphorylation.



View larger version (13K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 4. Association of the p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase with wild-type and variant forms of IRS-1. COS-7 cells were transiently transfected with expression vectors for various forms of IRS-1 (WT-, G972R-, G819R/G972R-, or G819R/G972R/R1221C-IRS-1) in the absence of expression vector for insulin receptor. As described in Fig. 3Go, cells were incubated in the presence or absence of insulin (100 nmol/L) for 2 min. Detergent extraction, immunoprecipitation, and immunoblotting were carried out as described in Materials and Methods and Fig. 3Go. The amount of p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase associated with IRS-1 was expressed in arbitrary units; the quantity of PI 3-kinase associated with WT-IRS-1 in the presence of insulin (100 nmol/L) is defined as 100%. Data in the graph are the mean ± SE of three independent experiments, each of which was performed in duplicate or triplicate. The intensities of IRS-1 bands were also quantitated and were similar for both WT-IRS-1 and the variant forms of IRS-1. Similarly, the quantity of IRS-1 immunoprecipitated was highly reproducible from lane to lane; the SE of intensities was 15% or less.

 
When we coexpressed human insulin receptors with human IRS-1, this increased the level of p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase associated with WT-IRS-1 about 12-fold compared to the basal level observed when IRS-1 was expressed in the absence of recombinant insulin receptors. However, insulin stimulation did not further increase the association of PI 3-kinase with IRS-1 in cells that also overexpressed insulin receptors (Fig. 3Go, right half). It is likely that the presence of a vast excess of recombinant insulin receptors resulted in sufficient tyrosine kinase activity to phosphorylate enough IRS-1 to promote maximal association with the p85 subunit even in the absence of insulin. We next carried out comparative studies in cells coexpressing insulin receptors and the various forms of IRS-1. There was a slight decrease in the amount of PI 3-kinase associated with G972R-IRS-1 compared with that of WT-IRS-1. However, there was no statistically significant difference observed between WT-IRS-1 and G819R-G972R-IRS-1 or G819R-G972R-R1221C-IRS-1, even though these mutants also carry the G972R substitution (Table 1Go). In summary, we did not detect a reproducible effect of any of these three amino acid substitutions to alter the ability of insulin or insulin receptors to promote the association between IRS-1 and p85 subunit.


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Table 1. The Association of p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase with IRS-1 coexpressed with human insulin receptor

 
In this set of experiments, recombinant insulin receptors were so effective at phosphorylating IRS-1 (even in the absence of insulin) that we did not detect a further increase in phosphotyrosine content when insulin was added (right half of Fig. 3Go). These data differ from the experiments presented in Figs. 1Go and 2Go, in which insulin did induce an increase in the phosphotyrosine content of recombinant IRS-1. Although it is not certain what led to the difference between the observations in the two experiments, it is probably related to differences in the transfection efficiencies and the levels of expression of recombinant insulin receptors in the two sets of experiments.

Association of GRB-2 with WT-IRS-1 and mutant IRS-1

We used a similar experimental design to study the ability of insulin to promote the association between IRS-1 and GRB-2. In cells that overexpress IRS-1 in the absence of recombinant insulin receptors, we had difficulty detecting the association between GRB-2 and IRS-1 (Fig. 3Go, left half). In contrast, coexpression of insulin receptors markedly increased the quantity of GRB-2 that was coimmunoprecipitated with IRS-1. However, we did not detect a reproducible effect of insulin to promote the association between GRB-2 and IRS-1 under our experimental conditions (Fig. 4Go). In any case, we compared the amount of GRB-2 associated with WT-IRS-1 and the three variant forms of IRS-1 in COS-7 cells overexpressing both IRS-1 and insulin receptor. However, we did not detect a statistically significant difference between WT-IRS-1 and variant forms of IRS-1 in the ability to associate with GRB-2 (Fig. 3Go and data not shown).


    Discussion
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Evidence suggesting the association of NIDDM with polymorphisms in IRS-1

A large body of evidence suggests that genetic factors predispose to the development of NIDDM (3). Accordingly, considerable effort has been devoted to identify genes that contribute to this genetic predisposition. In one approach to this question, several laboratories have screened for the presence of mutations in candidate genes that encode proteins with important functions in the pathways of insulin action (e.g. the insulin receptor) (5) or insulin secretion (e.g. glucokinase) (7). When variation is identified in the nucleotide sequence of a candidate gene, it is necessary to determine whether the variation is significant in the sense that it contributes to the pathogenesis of diabetes. At least three approaches have been taken to address this question: genetic linkage, genetic association, and biochemical studies. However, mutations have not been commonly found in the genes encoding insulin, the insulin receptor, or glucokinase. Thus, the genetic basis of the common form of NIDDM has not yet been identified. Nevertheless, the gene encoding IRS-1 is among the candidate genes that have been screened in the hope of identifying genetic defects in the pathway of insulin action. While the initial reports presented data that there is an association between NIDDM and amino acid sequence polymorphisms (especially G972R) in the IRS-1 gene (18, 20, 22), this finding has not been confirmed in several other studies (19, 21). Furthermore, genetic linkage studies have not provided evidence to support the hypothesis that mutations in the IRS-1 gene predispose to the development of NIDDM (27). Nevertheless, it remains possible that genetic and epidemiologic approaches might lack the statistical power to identify the role of a gene as a cause of NIDDM. For example, if NIDDM displays genetic heterogeneity, and polymorphisms in the IRS-1 gene contributed to the development of NIDDM in only a subpopulation of patients with NIDDM, this would make it more difficult to design a study that demonstrated this effect. The smaller the subpopulation, the more difficult it would be to demonstrate the effect. In addition, if the penetrance of the NIDDM phenotype were less than 100%, this would make it more difficult to demonstrate an effect of the IRS-1 gene.

Evaluation of the function of variant IRS-1 molecules

Because of the limitations inherent in the genetic and epidemiologic approaches to evaluate the significance of genetic variation at the IRS-1 locus, we have elected to supplement these approaches with an alternative strategy to address the same question. Accordingly, we have inquired whether the observed amino acid substitutions impair the function of IRS-1. In the present studies, none of the three amino acid substitutions (i.e. G819R, G972R, and R1221C) led to a detectable defect in the function of the IRS-1 molecule under our experimental conditions. In particular, we did not detect any abnormality in the stability or the phosphorylation of IRS-1. Neither did we detect any abnormality in the ability of variant forms of IRS-1 to bind SH2 domain-containing proteins, such as the p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase or GRB-2. It is likely that our studies would have detected a major abnormality in any of these functions of the IRS-1 function. Nevertheless, we cannot rule out the possibility that there might be a partial functional defect that was too subtle to be detected by our experimental approach. For example, because of the presence of multiple phosphorylation sites in the IRS-1 molecule, measurement of total phosphotyrosine content is not a sensitive method to detect a selective defect in the phosphorylation of a single tyrosine residue. Similarly, the degree of variability in quantitating the binding of other molecules (e.g. the p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase) makes it difficult to rule out the possibility of a partial decrease in the affinity of IRS-1 to bind the SH2 domain(s). Furthermore, although it is likely that there are other unknown SH2 domain-containing proteins that bind to IRS-1, we have investigated the binding of only two proteins (i.e. the p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase and GRB-2 to IRS-1. Nevertheless, as discussed below, there are several reasons to predict that it would require a major functional defect for a heterozygous mutation in IRS-1 to impair insulin action.

After our work was completed, Almind et al. (28) reported that the G972R mutation causes a 25% decrease in the binding of the p85 regulatory subunit of PI 3-kinase. In association with the impaired binding of IRS-1 to p85, they observed a 36% decrease in the PI 3-kinase activity coimmunoprecipitated with IRS-1 and a 32% decrease in the mitogenic activity of insulin. Similar results were reported by Yoshimura et al. (29). Our data appear to contradict these other studies in that we disagree about whether there is a subtle functional defect (~25–35%) in the ability of IRS-1 to activate PI 3-kinase. However, all three studies agree that the G972R substitution does not lead to a large quantitative defect in the function of IRS-1. If one assumes that this amino acid substitution is present in only one allele of the IRS-1 gene, then heterozygosity would be predicted to cause only about a 15% decrease in IRS-1 function within the cell. It is difficult to assess whether such a small defect might be important from a physiological point of view.

Animal model for null mutations in the IRS-1 gene

Mutant mice have been obtained in which the IRS-1 gene has been inactivated by homologous recombination (16, 17). In the homozygous state, the null allele of the IRS-1 gene markedly impairs growth and leads to insulin resistance. Nevertheless, insulin is capable of eliciting a biological response even in mice that totally lack IRS-1. A homologous protein (i.e. IRS-2) has been identified (30). It has been proposed that IRS-2 provides an alternate pathway that may be responsible for replacing the function of IRS-1 in the IRS-1 knock-out mice (17). These observations in mice raise the following question. Is it plausible to propose that heterozygosity for a variant allele of the human IRS-1 gene would cause insulin resistance? Of course, it is possible that there are species differences such that humans might be more sensitive than mice to the effects of a genetic defect in IRS-1 function. Recent evidence suggests that genetic variation at other loci may modulate the effects of a mutation at the IRS-1 locus. For example, as the result of breeding experiments, it was possible to obtain mice that were homozygous for mutations in the IRS-1 gene and the insulin receptor gene (31). These two mutations at different genetic loci appeared to have a synergistic effect to cause insulin resistance. Thus, it is possible that a mutation in the human IRS-1 gene would predispose to the development of insulin resistance and/or NIDDM only when present in individuals who also possess susceptibility alleles at other genetic loci. Nevertheless, in the mouse model, the mutation in the IRS-1 gene is a null mutation that completely abolishes the function of product encoded by that allele. Thus, it seems likely that a mutation would need to cause a major defect in the function of IRS-1 if it were to cause insulin resistance inherited in a genetically dominant pattern. However, at least under our experimental conditions, these three naturally occurring amino acid substitutions in the IRS-1 molecule did not cause a major defect in the function of IRS-1.

Interactions between obesity and variant IRS-1

Clausen et al. (32) provided evidence suggesting that obesity and the G972R allele of IRS-1 act synergistically to cause insulin resistance. According to their data, the G972R allele is not associated with insulin resistance in lean individuals. However, when the study was restricted to obese individuals, insulin resistance was significantly more severe among heterozygous carriers of the G972R allele than among individuals who are homozygous for the common allele (i.e. encoding a glycine residue at position 972). These observations suggest that the G972R variant IRS-1 molecule may somehow facilitate the ability of obesity to cause insulin resistance. Recent studies have suggested one possible molecular mechanism that might explain these observations. It has been proposed that the ability of adipose tissue to secrete tumor necrosis factor-{alpha} (TNF{alpha}) may explain the fact that obesity leads to the development of insulin resistance (33). Furthermore, TNF{alpha} stimulates the phosphorylation of serine and threonine residues in IRS-1, which, in turn, inhibits the ability of the insulin receptor to phosphorylate tyrosine residues in IRS-1 (33, 34). In brief, according to these hypotheses, the IRS-1 molecule participates in the pathway by which TNF{alpha} causes insulin resistance. It is reasonable to speculate that a variant IRS-1 molecule might exert a dominant effect to cause insulin resistance if the amino acid substitution rendered the molecule more susceptible to TNF{alpha}-induced serine/threonine phosphorylation.

In conclusion, three naturally occurring amino acid substitutions in human IRS-1 (i.e. G819R, G972R, and R1221C) do not appear to cause major defects in the function of IRS-1 as judged by our assays. Nevertheless, we have not totally ruled out the possibility that variant forms of IRS-1 have minor defects that were not detected by our assays and contribute to the phenotype of NIDDM in combination with other risk factors. However, our observations do not provide additional support for the hypothesis that variant sequences of IRS-1 act as a dominant genetic factor predisposing to the development of NIDDM.


    Acknowledgments
 
We are grateful to Drs. Carol Haft, Rachel Levy-Toledano, Sonia Najjar, Michael Quon, and Efrat Wertheimer for helpful discussions, and to Dr. Victoria Blakesly for critical reading of the manuscript.


    Footnotes
 
1 This work was supported by a postdoctoral fellowship from the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International (to Y.I.) and by Telethon-Italy (Grant E327) support to G.S. during a brief sabbatical at the NIH. Back

Received November 18, 1996.

Revised July 17, 1997.

Accepted August 13, 1997.


    References
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 

  1. DeFronzo RA. 1992 Pathogenesis of type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes mellitus: a balanced overview. Diabetologia. 35:389–397.[CrossRef][Medline]
  2. Porte DJ. 1991 Banting lecture 1990. Beta-cells in type II diabetes mellitus. Diabetes. 40:166–180.[Abstract]
  3. Elbein SC, Hoffman MD, Bragg KL, et al. 1994 The genetics of NIDDM: an update. Diabetes Care. 17:1523–1533.[Medline]
  4. Kasuga M, Karlsson FA, Kahn RC. 1982 Insulin stimulates the phosphorylation of the 95,000-dalton subunit of its own receptor. Science. 215:185–187.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  5. Taylor SI, Cama A, Accili D, et al. 1992 Mutations in the insulin receptor gene. Endocr Rev. 13:566–595.[CrossRef][Medline]
  6. Steiner DF, Tager HS, Chan SJ, et al. 1990 Lessons learned from molecular biology of insulin-gene mutations. Diabetes Care. 13:600–609.[Abstract]
  7. Bell GI, Froguel P, Hishi S, et al. 1993 Mutations of the human glucokinase gene and diabetes mellitus. Trends Endocrinol Metab. 4:86–90.[Medline]
  8. Yamagata K, Oda N, Kaisaki PJ, et al. 1996 Mutations in the hepatocyte nuclear factor-1alpha gene in maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY3). Nature. 384:455–458.[CrossRef][Medline]
  9. Yamagata K, Furuta H, Oda N, et al. 1996 Mutations in the hepatocyte nuclear factor-4alpha gene in maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY1). Nature. 384:458–460.[CrossRef][Medline]
  10. Ballinger SW, Shoffner JM, Hedaya EV, et al. 1992 Maternally transmitted diabetes and deafness associated with a 10.4 kb mitochondrial DNA deletion. Nat Genet. 1:11–15.[CrossRef][Medline]
  11. Sun XJ, Rothenberg P, Kahn CR, et al. 1991 Structure of the insulin receptor substrate IRS-1 define a unique signal transduction protein. Nature. 352:73–77.[CrossRef][Medline]
  12. Folli F, Saad MJA, Backer JM, et al. 1992 Insulin stimulation of liver and muscle of the intact rat. J Biol Chem. 267:22171–22177.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  13. Skolnik EY, Lee C-H, Batzer A, et al. 1993 The SH2/SH3 domain-containing protein GRB2 interacts with tyrosine-phosphorylated IRS-1 and Shc: implication for insulin control of ras signalling. EMBO J. 12:1929–1936.[Medline]
  14. Tobe K, Matsuoka K, Tamemoto H, et al. 1993 Insulin stimulated association of insulin receptor substrate-1 with the protein abundant Src homology/growth factor receptor-bound protein 2. J Biol Chem. 268:11167–11171.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  15. Kuhnë. 91 MR, Pawson T, Lienhard GE, et al. 1993 The insulin receptor substrate 1 associates with the SH2-containing phosphotyrosine phosphatase Syp. J Biol Chem. 268:11479–11481.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  16. Tamemoto H, Kadowaki T, Tobe K, et al. 1994 Insulin resistance and growth retardation in mice lacking insulin receptor substrate-1. Nature. 372:182–186.[CrossRef][Medline]
  17. Araki E, Lipes MA, Patti M-E, et al. 1994 Alternative pathway of insulin signalling in mice with targeted disruption of the IRS-1 gene. Nature. 372:186–190.[CrossRef][Medline]
  18. Almind K, Bj{phi}rbaek C, Vestergaard H, et al. 1993 Aminoacid polymorphisms of insulin receptor substrate-1 in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Lancet. 342:828–832.[CrossRef][Medline]
  19. Laakso M, Malkki M, Kekalainen P. 1994 Insulin receptor substrate-1 variants in non-insulin-dependent diabetes. J Clin Invest. 94:1141–1146.
  20. Imai Y, Fusco A, Suzuki Y, et al. 1994 Varaint sequence of insulin receptor substrate-1 in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 79:1655–1658.[Abstract]
  21. Shimokawa H, Kadowaki H, Sakura H, et al. 1994 Molecular scanning of the glycogen synthease and insulin receptor substrate-1 gene in Japanese subjects with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 202:463–469.[CrossRef][Medline]
  22. Hitman GA, Hawrami K, McCarthy MI, et al. 1995 Insulin receptor substrate-1 gene mutations in NIDDM; implications for the study of polygenic disease. Diabetologia. 38:481–486.[Medline]
  23. Levy-Toledano R, Accili D, Taylor SI. 1993 Deletion of C-terminal 113 amino acids impairs processing and internalization of human insulin receptor. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1220:1–14.[Medline]
  24. Araki E, Sun XJ, Haag B, et al. 1993 Human skeltal muscle insulin receptor substrate-1. Characterization of the cDNA, gene, and chromosomal localization. Diabetes. 42:1041–1054.[Abstract]
  25. Higuchi R, Krummel B, Saiki RK. 1988 A general method of in vitro preparation and specific mutagenesis of DNA fragments: study of protein and DNA interaction. Nucleic Acids Res. 16:7351–7365.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  26. Laemmli UK. 1970 Cleavage of structural protein during the assembly of the head of bacteriophage T4. Nature. 227:680–685.[CrossRef][Medline]
  27. Hager J, Zouali H, Velho G, et al. 1993 Insulin receptor substrate (IRS-1) gene polymorphism in French NIDDM families. Lancet. 342:1430.[Medline]
  28. Almind K, Inoue G, Pedersen O, Kahn CR. 1996 A common amino acid polymorphism in insulin receptor substrate-1 causes impaired insulin signaling. Evidence from transfection studies. J Clin Invest. 97:2569.[Medline]
  29. Yoshimura R, Araki E, Ura S, et al. 1997 Impact of IRS-1 mutations on insulin signals: mutations of IRS-1 in the PTB domain and near SH2 protein binding sites result in impaired function at different steps in IRS-1 signaling. Diabetes. 46:929–936.[Abstract]
  30. Sun XJ, Wang L-M, Zhang Y, et al. 1995 Role of IRS-2 in insulin and cytokine signalling. Nature. 377:173–177.[CrossRef][Medline]
  31. Bruning J, Winnay J, Bonner-Weir S, et al. 1997 Development of a novel polygenic model of NIDDM in mice heterozygous for IR and IRS-1 null alleles. Cell. 88:561–572.[CrossRef][Medline]
  32. Clausen JO, Hansen T, Bj{phi}rbaek C, et al. 1995 Insulin resistance: interactions between obesity and a common variant of insulin receptor substrate-1. Lancet. 346:397–402.[CrossRef][Medline]
  33. Hotamisligil GS, Shargill NS, and Spiegelman BM. 1993 Adipose expression of tumor necrosis factor-{alpha}: direct role in obesity-linked insulin resistance. Science. 259:87–91.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  34. Hotamisligil GS, Peraldi P, Budavari A, et al. 1996 IRS-1-mediated inhibition of insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity in TNF-{alpha}- and obesity induced insulin resistance. Science. 271:665–668.[Abstract]



This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
J EndocrinolHome page
F Sentinelli, E Filippi, M G Cavallo, S Romeo, M Fanelli, and M G Baroni
The G972R variant of the insulin receptor substrate-1 gene impairs insulin signaling and cell differentiation in 3T3L1 adipocytes; treatment with a PPAR{gamma} agonist restores normal cell signaling and differentiation
J. Endocrinol., February 1, 2006; 188(2): 271 - 285.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Mol. Cell. ProteomicsHome page
M. Korc
Diabetes Mellitus in the Era of Proteomics
Mol. Cell. Proteomics, June 1, 2003; 2(6): 399 - 404.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
D. L. Esposito, Y. Li, C. Vanni, S. Mammarella, S. Veschi, F. Della Loggia, R. Mariani-Costantini, P. Battista, M. J. Quon, and A. Cama
A Novel T608R Missense Mutation in Insulin Receptor Substrate-1 Identified in a Subject with Type 2 Diabetes Impairs Metabolic Insulin Signaling
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., April 1, 2003; 88(4): 1468 - 1475.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
DiabetesHome page
M. Stumvoll, A. Fritsche, and H.-U. Haring
Clinical Characterization of Insulin Secretion as the Basis for Genetic Analyses
Diabetes, February 1, 2002; 51(90001): S122 - 129.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
DiabetesHome page
W. Pratipanawatr, T. Pratipanawatr, K. Cusi, R. Berria, J. M. Adams, C. P. Jenkinson, K. Maezono, R. A. DeFronzo, and L. J. Mandarino
Skeletal Muscle Insulin Resistance in Normoglycemic Subjects With a Strong Family History of Type 2 Diabetes Is Associated With Decreased Insulin-Stimulated Insulin Receptor Substrate-1 Tyrosine Phosphorylation
Diabetes, November 1, 2001; 50(11): 2572 - 2578.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
FASEB J.Home page
G. SESTI, M. FEDERICI, M. L. HRIBAL, D. LAURO, P. SBRACCIA, and R. LAURO
Defects of the insulin receptor substrate (IRS) system in human metabolic disorders
FASEB J, October 1, 2001; 15(12): 2099 - 2111.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EndocrinologyHome page
D. L. Esposito, Y. Li, A. Cama, and M. J. Quon
Tyr612 and Tyr632 in Human Insulin Receptor Substrate-1 Are Important for Full Activation of Insulin-Stimulated Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Activity and Translocation of GLUT4 in Adipose Cells
Endocrinology, July 1, 2001; 142(7): 2833 - 2840.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
DiabetesHome page
M. Stumvoll, A. Fritsche, A. Volk, N. Stefan, A. Madaus, E. Maerker, A. Teigeler, M. Koch, F. Machicao, and H. Häring
The Gly972Arg Polymorphism in the Insulin Receptor Substrate-1 Gene Contributes to the Variation in insulin Secretion in Normal Glucose-Tolerant Humans
Diabetes, April 1, 2001; 50(4): 882 - 885.
[Abstract] [Full Text]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
M. L. Hribal, M. Federici, O. Porzio, D. Lauro, P. Borboni, D. Accili, R. Lauro, and G. Sesti
The Gly->Arg972 Amino Acid Polymorphism in Insulin Receptor Substrate-1 Affects Glucose Metabolism in Skeletal Muscle Cells
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 2000; 85(5): 2004 - 2013.
[Abstract] [Full Text]


Home page
EndocrinologyHome page
Y. Imai and D. R. Clemmons
Roles of Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Pathways in Stimulation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Migration and Deoxyriboncleic Acid Synthesis by Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I
Endocrinology, September 1, 1999; 140(9): 4228 - 4235.
[Abstract] [Full Text]


Home page
Endocr. Rev.Home page
L. Poretsky, N. A. Cataldo, Z. Rosenwaks, and L. C. Giudice
The Insulin-Related Ovarian Regulatory System in Health and Disease
Endocr. Rev., August 1, 1999; 20(4): 535 - 582.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Biol. Chem.Home page
Y. Imai, A. Moralez, U. Andag, J. B. Clarke, W. H. Busby Jr., and D. R. Clemmons
Substitutions for Hydrophobic Amino Acids in the N-terminal Domains of IGFBP-3 and -5 Markedly Reduce IGF-I Binding and Alter Their Biologic Actions
J. Biol. Chem., June 9, 2000; 275(24): 18188 - 18194.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a related Letter to the Editor
Right arrow Purchase Article
Right arrow View Shopping Cart
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Copyright Permission
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Imai, Y.
Right arrow Articles by Taylor, S. I.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Imai, Y.
Right arrow Articles by Taylor, S. I.


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Endocrinology Endocrine Reviews J. Clin. End. & Metab.
Molecular Endocrinology Recent Prog. Horm. Res. All Endocrine Journals