Characterization of a natural inhibitor of the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase: cDNA cloning, purification, and anti-mitogenic activity.

Amino acid sequence of the precursor of the phosphorylated N-glycoprotein (pp63) secreted by rat hepatocytes was deduced from the cDNA sequence. This polypeptide (Mr = 40,586) was rich in both cysteine and proline and contained three potential N-glycosylation sites. A single pp63 mRNA species (approximately 2000 bp), found in normal hepatocytes but not in FaO hepatoma cells, appeared to result from transcription of a single gene. pp63 purified by affinity chromatography inhibited insulin receptor tyrosine kinase and receptor autophosphorylation. Only the phosphorylated form of the protein was active. In additon, pp63 antagonized the growth-promoting action of insulin in FaO cells but did not affect hormone-mediated increase in amino acid transport capacity or tyrosine aminotransferase induction in these cells.