Hepatic processing of insulin

Abstract

The effect of selected weak bases on the subcellular distribution and processing of internalized insulin by the liver has been studied. The effect of these bases on both the degradation products formed and on the kinetics of degradation have also been studied. 1. Methylamine, ammonium chloride and dansyl cadaverine but not chloroquine reduce the total amount of insulin endocytosed. 2. Ammonium chloride, dansyl cadaverine and chloroquine but not methylamine inhibit subsequent degradation and/or translocation of degradation products. 3. None of the weak bases changed the species of the degradation products found within the endocytic vesicles. 4. Kinetic analysis of intravesicular degradation indicates that dissociation from the receptor is the rate-limiting process in degradation. 5. Chloroquine and dansyl cadaverine but not methylamine or ammonium chloride showed specific inhibition of insulin degradation in isolated endocytic vesicles. 6. The effect of chloroquine and dansyl cadaverine on the kinetics of degradation suggest that they are acting by switching the receptor into a tight-binding conformation thereby slowing dissociation.