Alpha-subunits of Gs and Gi in adipocyte plasma membranes of genetically diabetic (db/db) mice.

The adipocyte membrane G protein pattern, beta-adrenergic receptor activity, and adenylyl cyclase were determined in adipocyte membranes of the db/db mouse, a mutant that is a model of diabetes preceded by hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, and extreme obesity. These studies were undertaken to determine whether the alterations already noted in the ob/ob mouse and those in the db/db mouse are similar and related to the hormonal defects, particularly the hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia prevalent in these animals (cf. Ref. 11). The ADP ribosylation data show that Gs alpha was more highly labeled in the tissues of the db/db mutant than in the homozygous control, but there was no significant difference in the amount of ADP-ribose incorporated in the Gi alpha-subunits. Quantification of the proteins by immunodetection revealed that the long (46-kDa) form of Gs alpha was significantly less abundant in the db mutant than in its control, whereas there was no difference in the short (42-kDa) form. Gi alpha-peptides corresponding to Gi alpha 2 and Gi alpha 1 were both less abundant in the db mutant than in the homozygous control. These data contrasted with those obtained for ob mutants and their lean homozygous controls reported previously (4) and confirmed here. It is concluded on the basis of these studies that factors other than the hormonal status are responsible for the G protein patterns in the ob and db mutants. Differences in G protein patterns noted in between the control groups (B/Ks or B/6 homozygotes) correlated strongly with the quantitative differences in adenylyl cyclase response in the two strains.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)