PMID: 6989266Mar 1, 1980Paper

Effects of wheat germ agglutinin on insulin binding and insulin sensitivity of fat cells

The American Journal of Physiology
J N Livingston, B J Purvis

Abstract

The plant lectin (wheat germ agglutinin, WGA) produces several alterations in the ability of fat cells to bind and respond to insulin. Although WGA markedly stimulated glucose oxidation, it caused only a modest stimulation of glucose transport. WGA (0.25-20 micrograms/ml) increased the binding of insulin by adipocytes, apparently by increasing the binding affinity of the insulin receptor. With low WGA concentrations (0.25-2.5 micrograms/ml), the elevation in binding was accompanied by an increase in the sensitivity of the adipocytes to insulin stimulation of glucose transport. However, the sensitivity of these cells to vitamin K5 and H2O2 was not altered. With higher WGA concentrations (5-20 micrograms/ml), stimulation of the glucose transport system by insulin, vitamin K5, or H2O2 was markedly inhibited, an effect that is reversed by the addition of ovomucoid. These findings suggest that low WGA concentrations increase the affinity of the insulin receptor and the insulin sensitivity of the cells. At higher concentrations, the lectin appears to act at another site(s) to inhibit the activation of the transport system by insulin or other agents.

References

Jun 1, 1978·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·M N Krupp, J N Livingston
Sep 1, 1978·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·C R KahnJ S Flier
Jun 1, 1976·The Journal of Clinical Investigation·M P Czech
Jul 12, 1976·Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications·J M Olefsky
Oct 27, 1975·Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications·P De Meyts, J Roth
Feb 1, 1973·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·P Cuatrecasas, G P Tell
Feb 28, 1973·Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta·M P Czech, W S Lynn

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.