In human adipocytes the insulin receptor and IRS1 are localized in caveolae, and caveolae destruction makes cells resistant to insulin signaling for metabolic and mitogenic control

• Caveolae are plasma membrane invaginations with several functions, one of which appears to be to organize receptor mediated sigoaling. Here we show that in human adipocytes the iosulin receptor is localized in caveolae: by electron microscopy and immunogold detection and by isolating caveolae from plasma membranes. We similarly demonstrate that significant part of the immediate downstream signal mediator IRS1 is localized at the plasma membrane and caveolae. A detailed image shows the caveola as a bulb, protroding into the cell interior, with a neck attaching it to the plasma membrane. The caveolar structural protein caveolin is localized in the neck aod not in the bulb of the caveola. The receptor is active in caveolae since insulin stimulation caused tyrosine specific phosphorylation of the receptor recovered in isolated caveolae. Caveolae contain a major part of the free cholesterol in the plasma membrane and cholesterol is a stroctural component of caveolae. Depletion of cholesterol from the cells using B-cyclodextrio blocks insulin stimulation of glucose uptake, insulin inhibition of perilipin phosphorylation in response to isoproterenol, and insulio stimulation of protein kinase B and Map-kinases ERK1/2 phosphorylation- in effect making the human adipocytes insulin resistant. The insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of the insulin receptor and IRS1 are, however, not affected, indicating that caveolae integrity is required downstream of IRS1, consistent with its colocalization with the insulin receptor io caveolae in human adipocytes.

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