Involvement of glycoconjugates in insulin-receptor interactions. Studies in liver plasma membranes of control and diabetic mice.

The involvement of glycoconjugates in the insulin-receptor interactions in mouse liver is tested by digestions of membranes with various enzymes. Trypsin decreased the binding of [125I]insulin to liver membranes. After digestion with beta-galactosidase no ""high affinity'' receptor sites could be detected. The effects observed with plant lectins confirm the involvement of galactoconjugates in the insulin binding process. Sophora japonica and Ricinus communis lectins (with galactose specificity) and concanavalin A largely inhibit the binding process of insulin and those effects concern the ""high affinity'' receptor sites. Other lectins (wheat germ agglutinin, Dolichos) and enzymes (alpha-L-fucosidase, beta-N-acetyl-hexosaminidase and neuraminidase) are without effect on insulin binding. Comparative studies performed on diabetic mouse liver membrane (KK mice), previously characterized by decreased number of insulin receptors, are in good agreement with qualitatively similar receptor sites in both non-diabetic (control) and diabetic mice. Effects of enzymes and lectins yielded same results as compared to control membranes. Plasma membrane proteins and glycoproteins in both types of mouse are indistinguishable with respect to enzymic and chemical analysis. Sodium dodecyl sulphate acrylamide gel electrophoresis shows identical patterns. Moreover, the decrease in the number of insulin receptors is easily reversed with diet restriction. These data are consistent with the similarity of receptor sites in control and diabetic liver membrane.