Insulin Binding in Four Regions of the Developing Rat Brain

Abstract

Specific insulin binding was demonstrated in partially purified membranes prepared from 4 regions of the developing rat brain. Insulin binding to brain membranes demonstrated kinetics and hormonal specificity quite similar to those reported for traditional insulin target tissues (liver and adipose tissue), and binding was significantly correlated with receptor concentration. Binding in the olfactory bulbs, cerebrum, cerebellum and hypothalamus all reached highest values at 15 days of postnatal life, with the olfactory bulbs generally showing the greatest binding at all ages studied. A temporal relationship was found between insulin binding to brain membranes in the postnatal rat and plasma membrane protein synthesis, especially in the cerebellum and olfactory bulbs.