A gene encoding a putative third member of the insulin receptor family (called the insulin receptor-related receptor or IRR) was isolated in 1989. However, the naturally occurring protein product encoded by this gene has yet to be described. In the present studies, we have generated four monoclonal antibodies to a recombinantly expressed chimera, which contains the extracellular domain of human IRR. These antibodies were found to specifically recognize the chimeric IRR (and not the insulin or insulin-like growth factor I receptors), and two of the antibodies were capable of acting as partial agonists in the cells expressing the chimeric IRR. These antibodies have therefore been utilized to study the expression and properties of the native receptor. In contrast to the two other members of this receptor family, the endogenous IRR protein had only a very limited expression, being detected only in neuroblastomas. In primary neuroblastomas, the levels of the receptor were highest in samples from stage A tumors (those which are generally more highly differentiated and have higher levels of the nerve growth factor receptor). The endogenous IRR could also be detected in a neuroblastoma cell line (called IMR-5 cells). In these cells, IRR could be shown to be partly present as a hybrid with the insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I receptors but not with the receptor for nerve growth factor. The intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity of this endogenous IRR was activated by the agonist monoclonal antibody to IRR but not by nerve growth factor, insulin-like growth factor I, or insulin. Finally, this monoclonal antibody was found to stimulate mitogen-activated protein kinase activity in these cells. In summary, these studies demonstrate for the first time that the IRR protein is normally expressed, that its levels are highest in neuronal tissues, and that it can form hybrid receptors with the two other members of this receptor family but not with the more distantly related nerve growth factor receptor.

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