INSULIN-INDUCED ENHANCEMENT OF CELL MORPHOLOGICAL DYNAMICS - NONSPECIFIC BIOPHYSICAL MECHANISMS FOR THE GENERALIZED STIMULATION OF METABOLISM

Time series analysis of fluctuations in the intensity of light scatter ed by cells indicates the existence of a range of oscillations in cell morphology that usually occur in (pseudo) periodic bursts. Insulin ha s a frequency-dependent effect on the rhythms, predominantly that of s timulating the short period components believed to reflect surface mov ements. It is suggested that the non-specific action of the hormone on transport is due to an effective decrease in the net thickness of the surrounding diffusion layer (resulting from increased stirring of the micro-environment) and to accompanying membrane and cytoplasmic vibra tions. From published data it seems likely that other mitogens and che motactic agents act in a similar manner.