ISSN:
1432-0428
Keywords:
Insulin
;
insulin activity
;
insulin association
;
crosslinking
;
receptor clustering
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The extensive association of mammalian insulins in solution and the aggregation of insulin receptors in cell membranes are well documented. The hypothesis advanced here is that a direct connection exists between these observations. It is postulated that, after binding to its receptor, an insulin monomer can interact with another similarly bonded hormone-receptor complex through those groups on the insulin monomer faces utilized for dimer-dimer contacts in the crystal and in solution. Regarded thus, the insulin molecules are effectively bivalent as required for the formation of cross-links between receptors, with the accompanying enhancement of biological activity. A number of properties of native insulins from different animals, and of modified insulins, are considered in the light of this suggestion. It is shown to have considerable power in reconciling a diversity of such observations and to provide a plausible model for the experimentally observed receptor clustering phenomenon.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00260946
