Insulin and Insulin-like Receptors

Insulin receptors (IRs) and insulin-like growth factor receptors (IGFRs) are formed from two subunits, each of which is comprised of an extracellular α-subunit and a transmembrane β-subunit with intracellular tyrosine kinase activity. IR homodimers are activated by insulin and, in adults, mediate an increase in glucose uptake through upregulation of GLUT4 expression. Two isoforms of the IR exist: fetal IR-A and adult IR-B.

IGF1R homodimers are activated by IGF-I and IGF-II and mediate pre- and postnatal growth. IGF2R sequesters IGF-II and acts to regulate its levels. IR-IGF1R heterodimers exist and, similar to IGF1R homodimers, are activated by IGF-I and IGF-II. IRs and IGFRs mediate their intracellular actions through the PI3K and RAS/RAF/MAPK signaling pathways and downstream effectors include mTOR, p70 S6 kinase, ERK and JNK.

Many tumors have altered expression of IGF1R and its ligands and this constitutes an early, possible initiating, event in tumorigenesis. Decreases in IR signaling causing 'insulin resistance' is a major component in the development of type 2 diabetes and congenital mutations in the IR can cause the fatal Donohue syndrome.

External sources of pharmacological information for Insulin and Insulin-like Receptors :

• BJP Guide

Literature for Insulin and Insulin-like Receptors

Tocris offers the following scientific literature for Insulin and Insulin-like Receptors to showcase our products. We invite you to request* your copy today!

*Please note that Tocris will only send literature to established scientific business / institute addresses.

Peptides Involved in Appetite Modulation Scientific Review

Written by Sonia Tucci, Lynsay Kobelis and Tim Kirkham, this review provides a synopsis of the increasing number of peptides that have been implicated in appetite regulation and energy homeostasis; putative roles of the major peptides are outlined and compounds available from Tocris are listed.

• Request copy
• Request PDF
• View all Scientific Reviews

Angiogenesis in Cancer Poster

This poster summarizes the pathogenesis of angiogenesis in cancer, as well as some of the main angiogenesis therapeutic targets.

• Request copy
• Download PDF
• View all Life Science Posters

Pathways for Insulin and Insulin-like Receptors

Insulin Signaling Pathway

Signaling through the insulin pathway is fundamental for the regulation of intracellular glucose levels. This pathway can become dysregulated in diabetes.

• View Pathway
• Download PDF
• View all Pathways

Insulin and Insulin-Like Receptor Gene Data