Role of Hsp70 synthesis in the fate of the insulin-receptor complex after heat shock in cultured fetal hepatocytes

The influence of a mild heat shock on the fate of the insulin‐receptor complex was studied in cultured fetal rat hepatocytes whose insulin glycogenic response is sensitive to heat [Zachayus and Plas (1995): J Cell Physiol 162:330–340]. After exposure from 15 min to 2 hr at 42.5°C, the amount of 125I‐insulin associated with cells at 37°C was progressively decreased (by 35% after 1 hr), while the release of 125I‐insulin degradation products into the medium was also inhibited (by 75%), more than expected from the decrease in insulin binding. Heat shock did not affect the insulin‐induced internalization of cell surface insulin receptors but progressively suppressed the recycling at 37°C of receptors previously internalized at 42.5°C in the presence of insulin. When compared to the inhibitory effects of chloroquine on insulin degradation and insulin receptor recycling, which were immediate (within 15 min), those of heat shock developed within 1 hr of heating. The protein level of insulin receptors was not modified after heat shock and during recovery at 37°C, while that of Hsp72/73 exhibited a transitory accumulation inversely correlated with variations in insulin binding, as assayed by Western immunoblotting from whole cell extracts. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments revealed a heat shock‐stimulated association of Hsp72/73 with the insulin receptor. Affinity labeling showed an interaction between 125I‐insulin and Hsp72/73 in control cells, which was inhibited by heat shock. These results suggest that increased Hsp72/73 synthesis interfered with insulin degradation and prevented the recycling of the insulin receptor and its further thermal damage via a possible chaperone‐like action in fetal hepatocytes submitted to heat stress. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.