Hyperinsulinemia potentiates activation of p21Ras by growth factors

Endocrinology. 1997 May;138(5):2211-4. doi: 10.1210/endo.138.5.5240.

Abstract

Incubation of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts with insulin (10 nM or 100 nM) for 24 or 48 hours resulted in a significant increase in the amount of farnesylated p21Ras with a concomitant increase in the amount of GTP-loaded p21Ras. Cells preincubated with 100 nM insulin for 24 or 48 hours exhibited further 5-8 fold increases in p21Ras.GTP loading in response to an acute (10 minute) challenge with either insulin, EGF, or IGF-1. Effects of hyperinsulinemia were completely abolished by the presence of 1 microM alpha-hydroxyfarnesylphosphonic acid, a potent inhibitor of farnesyltransferase. These novel observations indicate that hyperinsulinemia increases the cellular pool of farnesylated p21Ras and thereby potentiates activation of p21Ras by growth factors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • 3T3 Cells
  • Alkyl and Aryl Transferases*
  • Animals
  • Drug Synergism
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / pharmacology
  • Farnesol / analogs & derivatives
  • Farnesol / pharmacology
  • Farnesyltranstransferase
  • Growth Substances / pharmacology*
  • Guanosine Triphosphate / metabolism
  • Insulin / pharmacology*
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Organophosphonates*
  • Organophosphorus Compounds / pharmacology
  • Protein Prenylation
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / metabolism*
  • Transferases / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • (alpha-hydroxyfarnesyl)phosphonic acid
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Growth Substances
  • Insulin
  • Organophosphonates
  • Organophosphorus Compounds
  • Farnesol
  • Epidermal Growth Factor
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
  • Guanosine Triphosphate
  • Transferases
  • Alkyl and Aryl Transferases
  • Farnesyltranstransferase
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)