Peptide-Based Radioimmunoassay for Insulin Receptor: Detection of Insulin-Stimulated Downregulation in IM-9 Lymphocytes

To overcome the difficulties encountered in quantifying the insulin receptor number by Scatchard analysis, a radioimmunoassay (RIA) for the human insulin receptor (hIR) has been developed that uses an antibody raised against a synthetic peptide (Gly-Lys-Lys-Asn-Gly-Arg-Ile-Leu-Thr-Leu-Pro-Arg-Ser-Asn-Pro-Ser) corresponding to the carboxyl terminal of the hIR. A second peptide (Tyr-Gly-Arg-Ile-Leu-Thr-Leu-Pro-Arg-Ser-Asn-Pro-Ser) was used as a standard and allowed preparation of monoiodinated derivative of theoretical specific activity for use as the radioactive ligand. The assay is specific, highly reproducible, and sensitive, with a detection limit of 10 fmol of receptor. One mole of purified receptor, measured by Scatchard analysis or amino acid analysis, is read as one mole of receptor in the RIA with peptide being the standard. The assay is effective with receptor from multiple sources and could determine the decrease in number of insulin receptors seen in IM-9 lymphocytes after treatment with insulin (downregulation).