Differential processing of pro-glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide in gut

Abstract

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) is a hormone released from enteroendocrine K cells in response to meals. Posttranslational processing of the precursor protein pro-GIP at residue 65 by proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 1 (PC1/3) in gut K cells gives rise to the established 42-amino-acid form of GIP (GIP1–42). However, the pro-GIP peptide sequence contains a consensus cleavage site for PC2 at residues 52–55 and we identified PC2 immunoreactivity in a subset of K cells, suggesting the potential existence of a COOH-terminal truncated GIP isoform, GIP1–30. Indeed a subset of mouse and human K cells display GIP immunoreactivity with GIP antibodies directed to the mid portion of the peptide, but not with a COOH-terminal-directed GIP antibody, indicative of the presence of a truncated form of GIP. This population of cells represents ∼5–15% of the total GIP-immunoreactive cells in mice, depending on the region of intestine, and is virtually absent in mice lacking PC2. Amidated GIP1–30 and GIP1–42 have comparable potency at stimulating somatostatin release in the perfused mouse stomach. Therefore, GIP1–30 represents a naturally occurring, biologically active form of GIP.