Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) rapidly (cl0 min) stimulated glucose uptake into myotubes of the L6 muscle cell line, al concemrdtions that act specifically on IGF-I receptors. Uptake remained stimulated at a steady level for l-2 h, after which a second stimulation occurred. The first phase was insensitive to inhibition of protein synthesis, Subcellular fractionation demonstrated that it was accompanied by lranslocalion ofgluwse transporters (both GLUTI and GLUM) to the plasma membrane from intracellular membranes. Trdnslocation sufficed lo explain the first phase increase in glucose transport, and there was no change in the total cellular content of GLUT1 or GLUT4 glucose transporters. The second phase of stimulation was inhibitable by cyclohcximidc, and involved a net increase in either GLUTI or GLUT4 transporter conlcnt, which was reflected in an increase in transporter number in plasma membranes. These results define a cellular mechanism of metabolic action of IGF-I in muscle cells; furthermore, they suggest that IGF-I has acute metabolic effects that mimic those of insulin, bypassing action on the insulin receptor.Sugar transport; Glucose transporter; Insulin-like growth factor; L6 muscle cell 1 a INTRODUCTION Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is a potent growth factor [I] inducing both muscle growth and differentiation [2]. These effects are extremely important during fetal maturation, but also during post-natal growth and for muscle regeneration. Recently, effects of IGF-I other than its growth and differentiation promoting actions were recognized, specifically the ability to lower glycemia when perfused in rats [3] or dogs [4]. This effect was associated with enhanced glucose utilization by skeletal muscle [4] and indeed was reflected in increased hexose uptake by muscles in vivo [5]. This metabolic effect of IGF-I is specific and independent of actions on the insulin receptor, and it has been proposed that IGF-I stimulation of glucose uptake can bypass insulin resistance in certain animal models of diabetes [3,6]. The molecular mechanism underlying such stimulation of glucose influx into muscle is unknown. In the present study we examined the effect of acute (5-45 min) and prolonged (2-8 h) effects of IGF-I Abbreviurimu: aMEM, a Minimal Essential Medium; TM, Lola1 membranes; IM. intracellular light microsomes; PM, isolated plasma membranes; WGA, wheat germ agglutinin; GLUTI. brain/HEP-G2 glucose trnnsportrr; GLUT4, muscle/fat glucose transporter.
EXPERIMENTAL
Celi cdtrrrcs, ifwubariorrs and h~tw5e uprukkc assu_ssA clonally selected line of L6 muscle cells (selected for high fusion potential into myotubes) was grown in culture and allowed to fuse and diffcrcniiate, essentially as reported earlier [ql. Cells were studied at the myotubc stage, when r90% fusion was attained. Monolayer cultures of myotubes in 3.5 cm diameter wells wcrc incubated for 5 h in aMEM containing 25 mM D-glucose in the abgnce of serum. This results in low and steady basal glucose uptake ralcs [S]. Human recombinant IGF-I wa...