Nuclear matrix association of insulin receptor and IRS-1 by insulin in osteoblast-like UMR-106 cells

In the present study, we explored to determine whether insulin has any effect on the nuclear translocation of insulin receptor and IRS-1 in the nucleus of UMR-106 cells. Following insulin treatment, cells were subjected to subcellular fractionation. Each fraction containing equal amount of protein was subjected to Western blot analysis using antibodies against IR and IRS-1. Significant amounts of insulin receptors and IRS-1 were detected in the nucleus. Insulin receptor and IRS-1 appeared to be translocated to the nucleus in a time dependent manner by insulin whereas Akt levels remained unchanged by insulin treatment. The majority of insulin receptor and IRS-1 translocated to the nucleus appeared to associate with nuclear matrix. Tyrosine phosphorylation of a number of proteins with a molecular mass of 180, 95, 85, or 70kDa in the nucleus was significantly stimulated by insulin, suggesting insulin signals to the nucleus and could regulate nuclear proteins. Confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) analysis also supports the nuclear translocation of insulin receptor and IRS-1. The nuclear insulin signaling may play an important role in the transcription control, differentiation, and growth of osteoblast cells. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.