concanavalin-a and somatotropin-(6-13)

The insulin-like effects of intact human growth hormone (hGH) were demonstrated with a synthetic amino-terminal fragment of the molecule, containing the sequence Leu-Ser-Arg-Leu-Phe-Asp-Asn-Ala (hGH 6-13). The in vitro study on the molecular mechanism of the hypoglycaemic action revealed that hGH 6-13 enhanced the transport of 3-O-methylglucose in adipocytes independently of its ability to potentiate the binding of insulin to the isolated cells. Current results suggest that the hGH part-sequence either stimulated ligand-binding to intact cells, subsequently amplifying the membrane regulatory functions, or promoted a biochemical event common to the binding of insulin and concanavalin A, resulting in the increase of transport and utilization of glucose.

Topics: 3-O-Methylglucose; Adipose Tissue; Animals; Biological Transport, Active; Concanavalin A; Growth Hormone; In Vitro Techniques; Insulin; Male; Methylglucosides; Methylglycosides; Peptide Fragments; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains