The activity of insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE), a thiol metalloproteas
e degrading insulin in many insulin target cells, was determined in hu
man colon adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells. Insulin-degrading activity wa
s localized in the cytosol of Caco-2 cells, accounting for 88% of tota
l activity. Western blots and immunoprecipitation showed that IDE was
present in the cytosol of Caco-2 cells and contributed to more than 93
% cytosolic insulin-degrading activity. Cytosolic insulin degradation
was strongly inhibited by IDE inhibitors, including N-ethylmaleimide,
1,10-phenanthroline, p-chloro-mericuribenzoate, and EDTA, but was not
significantly or not as extensively inhibited by strong inhibitors of
proteasome, i.e., chymostatin, soybean trypsin inhibitor, leupeptin, a
nd Dip-F. These results suggest that IDE is present in Caco-2 cells, t
hat Caco-2 IDE has properties similar to those of its counterparts in
insulin-target tissues, and that it significantly contributes to intra
cellular insulin degradation.