Action of insulin on the na+/k+-atpase and the na+/k+/2cl- cotransporter in 3t3-l1 adipocytes. Sargeant, Robert J., Zhi Liu, and Amira Klip. Division of Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada
APStracts 2:0080C, 1995.
The Na+/K+-ATPase presents several different isoforms of its [alpha] and [beta] subunits. We detected a1 and b1 mRNA transcripts and polypeptides in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts; during differentiation into adipocytes, a1 mRNA decreased, a2 mRNA was induced, b1 mRNA dropped to undetectable levels, and b2 was never expressed suggesting that 3T3-L1 adipocytes may express an unidentified Na+/K+-ATPase [beta] subunit isoform. Insulin rapidly increased ion pump activity (ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+(K+) uptake) in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts and adipocytes without changing the plasma membrane concentration of a1 or a2 subunits as determined by subcellular membrane fractionation and immunoblotting or by [3H]ouabain binding to intact cells. Monensin, which raises the concentration of intracellular Na+, increased Na+/K+-pump activity and no further stimulation was achieved with insulin. The stimulation of the pump by insulin was reduced by bumetanide, an inhibitor of the Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransporter, and was prevented by omission of extracellular chloride. Insulin increased both ouabain-sensitive and bumetanide-sensitive 86Rb+(K+) uptake. These results suggest that insulin-activation of the Na+/K+-ATPase in 3T3-L1 adipocytes is mediated by an elevation in intracellular Na+ that is likely the consequence of Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransporter activation.

Received 28 September 1994; accepted in final form 20 January
1995.
APS Manuscript Number C586-4.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Cell Physiology).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1995 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 28 February 1995.