Insulin is produced and stored inside the pancreatic β-cell secretory granules, where it is assumed to form Zn2+-stabilized oligomers. However, the actual storage forms of this hormone and the impact of zinc ions on insulin production in vivo are not known. Our initial X-ray fluorescence experiment on granules from native Langerhans islets and insulinoma-derived INS-1E cells revealed a considerable difference in the zinc content. This led our further investigation to evaluate the impact of the intra-granular Zn2+ levels on the production and storage of insulin in different model β-cells. Here, we systematically compared zinc and insulin contents in the permanent INS-1E and BRIN-BD11 β-cells and in the native rat pancreatic islets by flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, immunoblotting, specific messenger RNA (mRNA) and total insulin analysis. These studies revealed an impaired insulin production in the permanent β-cell lines with the diminished intracellular zinc content. The drop in insulin and Zn2+ levels was paralleled by a lower expression of ZnT8 zinc transporter mRNA and hampered proinsulin processing/folding in both permanent cell lines. To summarize, we showed that the disruption of zinc homeostasis in the model β-cells correlated with their impaired insulin and ZnT8 production. This indicates a need for in-depth fundamental research about the role of zinc in insulin production and storage.

• Klíčová slova
• insulin, pancreatic islets, proinsulin, zinc ions, znt8, β-cells,
• MeSH
• beta-buňky metabolismus   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• chemická frakcionace MeSH
• cytoplazmatická granula metabolismus   MeSH
• exprese genu * MeSH
• glukosa metabolismus   MeSH
• inzulin genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• Langerhansovy ostrůvky metabolismus   MeSH
• messenger RNA genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• průtoková cytometrie metody   MeSH
• zinek metabolismus   MeSH
• zinkový transportér 8 MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• glukosa MeSH
• inzulin MeSH
• messenger RNA MeSH
• Slc30a8 protein, rat MeSH Prohlížeč
• zinek MeSH
• zinkový transportér 8 MeSH

Information on how insulin and insulin-like growth factors 1 and 2 (IGF-1 and -2) activate insulin receptors (IR-A and -B) and the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) is crucial for understanding the difference in the biological activities of these peptide hormones. Cryo-EM studies have revealed that insulin uses its binding sites 1 and 2 to interact with IR-A and have identified several critical residues in binding site 2. However, mutagenesis studies suggest that Ile-A10, Ser-A12, Leu-A13, and Glu-A17 also belong to insulin's site 2. Here, to resolve this discrepancy, we mutated these insulin residues and the equivalent residues in IGFs. Our findings revealed that equivalent mutations in the hormones can result in differential biological effects and that these effects can be receptor-specific. We noted that the insulin positions A10 and A17 are important for its binding to IR-A and IR-B and IGF-1R and that A13 is important only for IR-A and IR-B binding. The IGF-1/IGF-2 positions 51/50 and 54/53 did not appear to play critical roles in receptor binding, but mutations at IGF-1 position 58 and IGF-2 position 57 affected the binding. We propose that IGF-1 Glu-58 interacts with IGF-1R Arg-704 and belongs to IGF-1 site 1, a finding supported by the NMR structure of the less active Asp-58-IGF-1 variant. Computational analyses indicated that the aforementioned mutations can affect internal insulin dynamics and inhibit adoption of a receptor-bound conformation, important for binding to receptor site 1. We provide a molecular model and alternative hypotheses for how the mutated insulin residues affect activity.

• Klíčová slova
• NMR structure, complex, hormone analog, insulin, insulin-like growth factor (IGF), molecular dynamics, mutagenesis, peptide hormone, receptor autophosphorylation, receptor binding, receptor tyrosine kinase, structural biology, structure-function,
• MeSH
• insulinu podobný růstový faktor I chemie   genetika   MeSH
• insulinu podobný růstový faktor II chemie   genetika   MeSH
• inzulin analogy a deriváty   chemická syntéza   chemie   genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mnohočetné abnormality genetika   MeSH
• mutace genetika   MeSH
• nukleární magnetická rezonance biomolekulární MeSH
• poruchy růstu genetika   MeSH
• proteinové domény genetika   MeSH
• receptor IGF typ 1 chemie   genetika   MeSH
• receptor inzulinu chemie   genetika   MeSH
• sekvence aminokyselin genetika   MeSH
• vazba proteinů genetika   MeSH
• vazebná místa genetika   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• IGF1R protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• IGF2 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• insulinu podobný růstový faktor I MeSH
• insulinu podobný růstový faktor II MeSH
• inzulin MeSH
• receptor IGF typ 1 MeSH
• receptor inzulinu MeSH

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) are closely related hormones involved in the regulation of metabolism and growth. They elicit their functions through activation of tyrosine kinase-type receptors: insulin receptors (IR-A and IR-B) and IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R). Despite similarity in primary and three-dimensional structures, insulin and IGF-1 bind the noncognate receptor with substantially reduced affinity. We prepared [d-HisB24, GlyB31, TyrB32]-insulin, which binds all three receptors with high affinity (251 or 338% binding affinity to IR-A respectively to IR-B relative to insulin and 12.4% binding affinity to IGF-1R relative to IGF-1). We prepared other modified insulins with the aim of explaining the versatility of [d-HisB24, GlyB31, TyrB32]-insulin. Through structural, activity, and kinetic studies of these insulin analogs, we concluded that the ability of [d-HisB24, GlyB31, TyrB32]-insulin to stimulate all three receptors is provided by structural changes caused by a reversed chirality at the B24 combined with the extension of the C terminus of the B chain by two extra residues. We assume that the structural changes allow the directing of the B chain C terminus to some extra interactions with the receptors. These unusual interactions lead to a decrease of dissociation rate from the IR and conversely enable easier association with IGF-1R. All of the structural changes were made at the hormones' Site 1, which is thought to interact with the Site 1 of the receptors. The results of the study suggest that merely modifications of Site 1 of the hormone are sufficient to change the receptor specificity of insulin.

• Klíčová slova
• Site 1, binding, insulin, insulin receptor, insulin-like growth factor (IGF), kinetics, protein design, structure-function,
• MeSH
• insulinu podobný růstový faktor I chemie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• inzulin agonisté   metabolismus   MeSH
• kinetika MeSH
• krystalografie rentgenová MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• receptor IGF typ 1 MeSH
• receptor inzulinu chemie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• receptory somatomedinů chemie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• sekvence aminokyselin MeSH
• vazba proteinů MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• IGF1R protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• insulinu podobný růstový faktor I MeSH
• inzulin MeSH
• receptor IGF typ 1 MeSH
• receptor inzulinu MeSH
• receptory somatomedinů MeSH

Insulin and insulin-like growth factors I and II are closely related protein hormones. Their distinct evolution has resulted in different yet overlapping biological functions with insulin becoming a key regulator of metabolism, whereas insulin-like growth factors (IGF)-I/II are major growth factors. Insulin and IGFs cross-bind with different affinities to closely related insulin receptor isoforms A and B (IR-A and IR-B) and insulin-like growth factor type I receptor (IGF-1R). Identification of structural determinants in IGFs and insulin that trigger their specific signaling pathways is of increasing importance in designing receptor-specific analogs with potential therapeutic applications. Here, we developed a straightforward protocol for production of recombinant IGF-II and prepared six IGF-II analogs with IGF-I-like mutations. All modified molecules exhibit significantly reduced affinity toward IR-A, particularly the analogs with a Pro-Gln insertion in the C-domain. Moreover, one of the analogs has enhanced binding affinity for IGF-1R due to a synergistic effect of the Pro-Gln insertion and S29N point mutation. Consequently, this analog has almost a 10-fold higher IGF-1R/IR-A binding specificity in comparison with native IGF-II. The established IGF-II purification protocol allowed for cost-effective isotope labeling required for a detailed NMR structural characterization of IGF-II analogs that revealed a link between the altered binding behavior of selected analogs and conformational rearrangement of their C-domains.

• Klíčová slova
• insulin, insulin receptor, insulin-like growth factor (IGF), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), structural biology, structure-function,
• MeSH
• CD antigeny chemie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• insulinu podobný růstový faktor II chemie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• missense mutace MeSH
• protein - isoformy chemie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• proteinové domény MeSH
• receptor IGF typ 1 chemie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• receptor inzulinu chemie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• rekombinantní proteiny chemie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• substituce aminokyselin MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• CD antigeny MeSH
• IGF2 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• INSR protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• insulinu podobný růstový faktor II MeSH
• protein - isoformy MeSH
• receptor IGF typ 1 MeSH
• receptor inzulinu MeSH
• rekombinantní proteiny MeSH

Insulin is a key hormone of human metabolism with major therapeutic importance for both types of diabetes. New insulin analogues with more physiological profiles and better glycemic control are needed, especially analogues that preferentially bind to the metabolic B-isoform of insulin receptor (IR-B). Here, we aimed to stabilize and modulate the receptor-compatible conformation of insulin by covalent intra-chain crosslinking within its B22-B30 segment, using the Cu(I)-catalyzed Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of azides and alkynes. This approach resulted in 14 new, systematically crosslinked insulin analogues whose structures and functions were extensively characterized and correlated. One of the analogues, containing a B26-B29 triazole bridge, was highly active in binding to both IR isoforms, with a significant preference for IR-B. Our results demonstrate the potential of chemistry-driven modulation of insulin function, also shedding new light on the functional importance of hormone's B-chain C-terminus for its IR-B specificity.

• MeSH
• alkyny chemie   MeSH
• azidy chemie   MeSH
• cykloadiční reakce MeSH
• inzulin chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• konformace proteinů MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• molekulární modely MeSH
• protein - isoformy MeSH
• receptor IGF typ 1 chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• receptor inzulinu chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• stabilita proteinů MeSH
• vazba proteinů MeSH
• vztahy mezi strukturou a aktivitou MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• alkyny MeSH
• azidy MeSH
• inzulin MeSH
• protein - isoformy MeSH
• receptor IGF typ 1 MeSH
• receptor inzulinu MeSH

The insulin gene mutation c.137G>A (R46Q), which changes an arginine at the B22 position of the mature hormone to glutamine, causes the monogenic diabetes variant maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY). In MODY patients, this mutation is heterozygous, and both mutant and wild-type (WT) human insulin are produced simultaneously. However, the patients often depend on administration of exogenous insulin. In this study, we chemically synthesized the MODY mutant [GlnB22]-insulin and characterized its biological and structural properties. The chemical synthesis of this insulin analogue revealed that its folding ability is severely impaired. In vitro and in vivo tests showed that its binding affinity and biological activity are reduced (both approximately 20% that of human insulin). Comparison of the solution structure of [GlnB22]-insulin with the solution structure of native human insulin revealed that the most significant structural effect of the mutation is distortion of the B20-B23 β-turn, leading to liberation of the B chain C-terminus from the protein core. The distortion of the B20-B23 β-turn is caused by the extended conformational freedom of the GlnB22 side chain, which is no longer anchored in a hydrogen bonding network like the native ArgB22. The partially disordered [GlnB22]-insulin structure appears to be one reason for the reduced binding potency of this mutant and may also be responsible for its low folding efficiency in vivo. The altered orientation and flexibility of the B20-B23 β-turn may interfere with the formation of disulfide bonds in proinsulin bearing the R46Q (GlnB22) mutation. This may also have a negative effect on the WT proinsulin simultaneously biosynthesized in β-cells and therefore play a major role in the development of MODY in patients producing [GlnB22]-insulin.

• MeSH
• diabetes mellitus 2. typu farmakoterapie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• glutamin genetika   MeSH
• inzulin chemie   genetika   metabolismus   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• inzulinová rezistence MeSH
• kultivované buňky MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• missense mutace * MeSH
• molekulární sekvence - údaje MeSH
• myši inbrední C57BL MeSH
• myši MeSH
• sekvence aminokyselin MeSH
• vazba proteinů MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• glutamin MeSH
• inzulin MeSH

The structural characterization of the insulin-insulin receptor (IR) interaction still lacks the conformation of the crucial B21-B30 insulin region, which must be different from that in its storage forms to ensure effective receptor binding. Here, it is shown that insulin analogues modified by natural amino acids at the TyrB26 site can represent an active form of this hormone. In particular, [AsnB26]-insulin and [GlyB26]-insulin attain a B26-turn-like conformation that differs from that in all known structures of the native hormone. It also matches the receptor interface, avoiding substantial steric clashes. This indicates that insulin may attain a B26-turn-like conformation upon IR binding. Moreover, there is an unexpected, but significant, binding specificity of the AsnB26 mutant for predominantly the metabolic B isoform of the receptor. As it is correlated with the B26 bend of the B-chain of the hormone, the structures of AsnB26 analogues may provide the first structural insight into the structural origins of differential insulin signalling through insulin receptor A and B isoforms.

• Klíčová slova
• active conformation, complex, insulin, insulin receptor, isothermal titration microcalorimetry, molecular dynamics,
• MeSH
• fenylalanin MeSH
• fibroblasty metabolismus   MeSH
• inzulin analogy a deriváty   chemie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• konformace proteinů MeSH
• krystalografie rentgenová MeSH
• kultivované buňky MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lymfocyty metabolismus   MeSH
• molekulární modely MeSH
• mutace MeSH
• myši knockoutované MeSH
• myši MeSH
• potkani Wistar MeSH
• receptor inzulinu chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• substituce aminokyselin MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• fenylalanin MeSH
• inzulin MeSH
• receptor inzulinu MeSH

The N-terminus of the B-chain of insulin may adopt two alternative conformations designated as the T- and R-states. Despite the recent structural insight into insulin-insulin receptor (IR) complexes, the physiological relevance of the T/R transition is still unclear. Hence, this study focused on the rational design, synthesis, and characterization of human insulin analogues structurally locked in expected R- or T-states. Sites B3, B5, and B8, capable of affecting the conformation of the N-terminus of the B-chain, were subjects of rational substitutions with amino acids with specific allowed and disallowed dihedral φ and ψ main-chain angles. α-Aminoisobutyric acid was systematically incorporated into positions B3, B5, and B8 for stabilization of the R-state, and N-methylalanine and d-proline amino acids were introduced at position B8 for stabilization of the T-state. IR affinities of the analogues were compared and correlated with their T/R transition ability and analyzed against their crystal and nuclear magnetic resonance structures. Our data revealed that (i) the T-like state is indeed important for the folding efficiency of (pro)insulin, (ii) the R-state is most probably incompatible with an active form of insulin, (iii) the R-state cannot be induced or stabilized by a single substitution at a specific site, and (iv) the B1-B8 segment is capable of folding into a variety of low-affinity T-like states. Therefore, we conclude that the active conformation of the N-terminus of the B-chain must be different from the "classical" T-state and that a substantial flexibility of the B1-B8 segment, where GlyB8 plays a key role, is a crucial prerequisite for an efficient insulin-IR interaction.

• MeSH
• cirkulární dichroismus MeSH
• inzulin analogy a deriváty   chemie   MeSH
• krystalografie rentgenová MeSH
• kyseliny aminoisomáselné chemie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• molekulární modely MeSH
• molekulární struktura MeSH
• nukleární magnetická rezonance biomolekulární MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• 2-aminoisobutyric acid MeSH Prohlížeč
• inzulin MeSH
• kyseliny aminoisomáselné MeSH

Despite the recent first structural insight into the insulin-insulin receptor complex, the role of the C terminus of the B-chain of insulin in this assembly remains unresolved. Previous studies have suggested that this part of insulin must rearrange to reveal amino acids crucial for interaction with the receptor. The role of the invariant Phe(B24), one of the key residues of the hormone, in this process remains unclear. For example, the B24 site functionally tolerates substitutions to D-amino acids but not to L-amino acids. Here, we prepared and characterized a series of B24-modified insulin analogues, also determining the structures of [D-HisB24]-insulin and [HisB24]-insulin. The inactive [HisB24]-insulin molecule is remarkably rigid due to a tight accommodation of the L-His side chain in the B24 binding pocket that results in the stronger tethering of B25-B28 residues to the protein core. In contrast, the highly active [D-HisB24]-insulin is more flexible, and the reverse chirality of the B24C(α) atom swayed the D-His(B24) side chain into the solvent. Furthermore, the pocket vacated by Phe(B24) is filled by Phe(B25), which mimics the Phe(B24) side and main chains. The B25→B24 downshift results in a subsequent downshift of Tyr(B26) into the B25 site and the departure of B26-B30 residues away from the insulin core. Our data indicate the importance of the aromatic L-amino acid at the B24 site and the structural invariance/integrity of this position for an effective binding of insulin to its receptor. Moreover, they also suggest limited, B25-B30 only, unfolding of the C terminus of the B-chain upon insulin activation.

• MeSH
• inzulin chemie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• receptor inzulinu chemie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• sekundární struktura proteinů MeSH
• vazba proteinů fyziologie   MeSH
• vazebná místa MeSH
• vztahy mezi strukturou a aktivitou MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• inzulin MeSH
• receptor inzulinu MeSH

Apart from its role in insulin receptor (IR) activation, the C terminus of the B-chain of insulin is also responsible for the formation of insulin dimers. The dimerization of insulin plays an important role in the endogenous delivery of the hormone and in the administration of insulin to patients. Here, we investigated insulin analogues with selective N-methylations of peptide bond amides at positions B24, B25, or B26 to delineate their structural and functional contribution to the dimer interface. All N-methylated analogues showed impaired binding affinities to IR, which suggests a direct IR-interacting role for the respective amide hydrogens. The dimerization capabilities of analogues were investigated by isothermal microcalorimetry. Selective N-methylations of B24, B25, or B26 amides resulted in reduced dimerization abilities compared with native insulin (K(d) = 8.8 μM). Interestingly, although the N-methylation in [NMeTyrB26]-insulin or [NMePheB24]-insulin resulted in K(d) values of 142 and 587 μM, respectively, the [NMePheB25]-insulin did not form dimers even at high concentrations. This effect may be attributed to the loss of intramolecular hydrogen bonding between NHB25 and COA19, which connects the B-chain β-strand to the core of the molecule. The release of the B-chain β-strand from this hydrogen bond lock may result in its higher mobility, thereby shifting solution equilibrium toward the monomeric state of the hormone. The study was complemented by analyses of two novel analogue crystal structures. All examined analogues crystallized only in the most stable R(6) form of insulin oligomers (even if the dimer interface was totally disrupted), confirming the role of R(6)-specific intra/intermolecular interactions for hexamer stability.

• MeSH
• inzulin prasečí chemie   MeSH
• krystalografie rentgenová MeSH
• kvarterní struktura proteinů MeSH
• metylace MeSH
• multimerizace proteinu * MeSH
• prasata MeSH
• sekundární struktura proteinů MeSH
• stabilita proteinů MeSH
• vodíková vazba MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• inzulin prasečí MeSH