Decreased binding of insulin to liver plasma membrane receptors in hereditary diabetic mice.

The interaction of insulin with its receptors was studied in liver plasma membranes of the young non-obese hereditary diabetic mouse (KK strain). Under identical conditions of preparation and incubation, the membranes of the KK mouse bind only 55-70% as much insulin per mg of protein as those of the control mouse (Swiss albino). Scatchard analysis suggests that this decrease in binding is due to a decrease in the number of receptor sites in the membrane of the diabetic mouse. However, the membranes of diabetic and control mice do not exhibit significant differences in hexosamine and sialic acid contents, enzyme activities, and protein and glycoprotein analysis. The decrease in insulin receptors in the KK mouse seems to correlate with the insulin resistance which they exhibit.