A fluorescent inositol phosphate glycan stimulates lipogenesis in rat adipocytes by extracellular activation alone.

The chemical synthesis of 2,6-dideoxy-2-amino-6-mercaptoglucopyranosyl-(alpha1-6)-myo-inositol 1,2-cyclic phosphate and its conjugation with a lucifer yellow derivative are reported. The resulting fluorescent IPG analogue was able to stimulate lipogenesis in rat adipocytes despite the fact that it was not internalized into the cell. The results demonstrate that internalization of the IPG is not required for manifestation of its insulin-like effects.