Dissociation of insulin binding from insulin stimulation of 2-deoxyglucose transport by ruthenium red.

Ruthenium red increased specific insulin binding to isolated adipocytes 5.4 fold and 2.6 fold over binding determined in the absence and presence of Ca2+ and Mg2+. The increase in insulin binding was not accompanied by an increase in insulin sensitivity. The lack of effect of ruthenium red on insulin action argued strongly against an increase in intracellular Ca2+ as a potential messenger/transducer of insulin action and suggested that the enhancing effect of Ca2+ on insulin action was a result of increased receptor affinity.