Differential regulation of Igf1 and Igf2 mRNA levels in tilapia hepatocytes: effects of insulin and cortisol on GH sensitivity

Abstract

Igf1 and Igf2 stimulate growth and development of vertebrates. In mammals, liver-derived endocrine Igf1 mediates the growth promoting effects of GH during postnatal life, whereas Igf2 stimulates placental and fetal growth and is not regulated by GH. Insulin enhances Igf1 production by the mammalian liver directly, and by increasing hepatocyte sensitivity to GH. We examined the regulation ofigf1andigf2mRNA levels by GH, insulin, and cortisol, and the effects of insulin and cortisol on GH sensitivity in primary cultured hepatocytes of tilapia, a cichlid teleost. GH increased mRNA levels of bothigf1andigf2in a concentration-related and biphasic manner over the physiological range, with a greater effect onigf2mRNA level. Insulin increased basaligf2mRNA level, and strongly increased GH-stimulatedigf2mRNA level, but slightly reduced basaligf1mRNA level and did not affect GH-stimulatedigf1mRNA level. Cortisol inhibited GH stimulation ofigf1, but increased GH stimulation ofigf2mRNA level. The synergistic effect of insulin and GH onigf2mRNA level was confirmedin vivo. These results indicate that insulin and cortisol differentially modulate the response ofigf1andigf2mRNA to GH in tilapia hepatocytes, and suggest that the regulation of liver Igf2 production differs between fish and mammals. Regulation of liver Igf2 production in fish appears to be similar to regulation of liver Igf1 production in mammals.