Perivenous localization of insulin receptor protein in rat liver, and regulation of its expression by glucose and oxygen in hepatocyte cultures

Insulin stimulates glucose utilization in the liver, which occurs mainly in the less aerobic, perivenous, zone. Accordingly, the insulin receptor protein was predominantly expressed in this area, although the insulin receptor mRNA was homogeneously distributed. In hepatocyte cultures venous O₂ partial pressure (pO₂) induced insulin receptor protein expression. High glucose concentrations enhanced insulin receptor protein under arterial and venous pO₂. The induction of insulin receptor protein by venous pO₂ would explain its zonated expression.