Comparison of 125I-Insulin Binding and Degradation to Isolated Rat Hepatocytes and Liver Membranes

Abstract

(1) Preparation of hepatocytes by collagenase digestion does not appear to alter insulin binding or degradation; (2) studies of liver membranes and isolated hepatocytes obtained from normal rats should yield similar information about insulin-receptor interaction as long as insulin concentrations less than 100 ng./ml. are used; (3) at very high insulin concentrations, some of the radioactivity appears to enter the cells; (4) the kinetics of insulin degradation by hepatocytes and liver membranes are similar; and (5) insulin degradation appears to be primarily a membrane phenomenon.