Insulin Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Activity Research Articles

A Review on Metformin: Clinical Significance and Side Effects

Metformin is a biguanide that has been used extensively worldwide for the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus. It improves glycaemic control by enhancing insulin sensitivity in liver and muscle. An advantage of metformin treatment is the tendency of weight reduction and the absence of significant hypoglycaemia; blood glucose levels are reduced only to normal as it does not stimulate insulin secretion. Metformin also has a beneficial effect on several cardiovascular risk factors including dyslipidemia, elevated plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 levels, other fibrinolytic abnormalities, hyperinsulinemia, and insulin resistance. Metformin enhances muscle and adipocyte insulin receptor number and/or affinity, increases insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity, stimulates glucose transport and glycogen synthesis, and reduces both hepatic gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis. The disadvantages are confined to the gastro-intestinal side effects and the potential risk of vitamin B 12 and folic acid deficiency during long-term use. These side effects can be minimized by slow titration and consumption with meals. The under lying mechanism for gastrointestinal intolerance are proposed to be stimulation of intestinal secretion of serotonin, alteration in incretin and metabolism of glucose, and malabsorption of bile salts. Lactic acidosis is rare contraindication associated with metformin. Most reported cases of lactic acidosis occur in patients with contraindications, particularly impaired renal function. Metformin has a good safety profile, efficacy and comparatively reduced cost. Its ability to improve insulin sensitivity and the cardiovascular risk profile of type II diabetic patients has enhanced its clinical use as first-line therapy.

Probiotics-rich emulsion improves insulin signalling in Palmitate/Oleate-challenged human hepatocarcinoma cells through the modulation of Fetuin-A/TLR4-JNK-NF-κB pathway

BackgroundFetuin-A, also known as α2-Heremans-Schmid glycoprotein (AHSG), is an abundant plasmatic serum protein synthesized predominantly in liver and adipose tissue. This glycoprotein is known to negatively regulate insulin signaling through the inhibition of insulin receptor (IR) autophosphorylation and tyrosine kinase activity, which participates in insulin resistance (IR) and metabolic syndrome development. Recent studies demonstrated that IR and associated metabolic disorders, are closely related to the gut microbiota and modulating it by probiotics could be effective in metabolic diseases management. ObjectiveIn this present work we aimed to evaluate the effects of a probiotics-rich emulsion on reducing the IR induced by free fatty acids accumulation in human hepatocarcinoma cell line, and to elucidate the implicated molecular pathways, with a specific emphasis on the hepatokin Fetuin-A-related axis. ResultsHere we showed, that probiotics improve HepG2 viability, protect against apoptosis under normal and IR conditions. Moreover, the emulsion was successful in attenuating oxidative stress as well as improving mitochondrial metabolism and dynamics. Interestingly, application of the probiotics to lipotoxic HepG2 cells resulted in significant reduction of Fetuin-A/TLR4/JNK/NF-κB pathway activation, which suggests a protective effect against inflammation, obesity as well as liver related insulin resistant. ConclusionOverall, the presented data reports clearly on the potent potential of probiotics formulated in an emulsion vehicle to enhance metabolic functions of affected IR HepG2 cells, and suggest the possibility of using such preparations as insulin sensitizing therapy, playing at the same time protective role for the development of liver related insulin resistant.

Serum fetuin-A and Ser312 phosphorylated fetuin-A responses and markers of insulin sensitivity after a single bout of moderate intensity exercise.

Fetuin‐A (Fet‐A), secreted by the liver and adipose tissue, inhibits insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity and modulates insulin action. Numerous studies have shown association of elevated serum Fet‐A concentrations with obesity, non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease, and type 2 diabetes. Both moderate body weight loss (5%–10%) and significant body weight loss have been shown to decrease serum Fet‐A and improve insulin sensitivity. Currently, there are no studies examining the effects of a single bout of exercise on serum Fet‐A or Ser312‐pFet‐A (pFet‐A) responses. We hypothesized that a single bout of moderate‐intensity exercise will lower serum Fet‐A and that these changes will be associated with an improvement in insulin sensitivity. Thirty‐one individuals with obesity and 11 individuals with normal body weight were recruited. Participants underwent a single bout of treadmill walking, expending 500 kcal at 60%–70% VO2max. Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were administered before the single bout of exercise (Pre Ex) and 24 h after exercise (24h Post Ex). In individuals with obesity, we observed a transient elevation of serum Fet‐A concentrations, but not pFet‐A, immediately after exercise (Post Ex). Further, a single bout of exercise decreased glucoseAUC, insulinAUC, and insulin resistance index in individuals with obesity. Consistent with this improvement in insulin sensitivity, we observed that Fet‐AAUC, pFet‐AAUC, 2 h pFet‐A, and 2 h pFet‐A/Fet‐A were significantly lower following a single bout of exercise. Further, reductions in serum Fet‐AAUC 24h Post Ex were correlated with a reduction in insulin resistance index. Together, this suggests that alterations in serum Fet‐A following a single bout of moderate‐intensity endurance exercise may play a role in the improvement of insulin sensitivity.Clinical Trial RegistrationNCT03478046; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03478046.

Insulin receptor substrates differentially exacerbate insulin-mediated left ventricular remodeling.

Pressure overload (PO) cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure are associated with generalized insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, which may exacerbate left ventricular (LV) remodeling. While PO activates insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity that is transduced by insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1), the present study tested the hypothesis that IRS1 and IRS2 have divergent effects on PO-induced LV remodeling. We therefore subjected mice with cardiomyocyte-restricted deficiency of IRS1 (CIRS1KO) or IRS2 (CIRS2KO) to PO induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC). In WT mice, TAC-induced LV hypertrophy was associated with hyperactivation of IRS1 and Akt1, but not IRS2 and Akt2. CIRS1KO hearts were resistant to cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure in concert with attenuated Akt1 activation. In contrast, CIRS2KO hearts following TAC developed more severe LV dysfunction than WT controls, and this was prevented by haploinsufficiency of Akt1. Failing human hearts exhibited isoform-specific IRS1 and Akt1 activation, while IRS2 and Akt2 activation were unchanged. Kinomic profiling identified IRS1 as a potential regulator of cardioprotective protein kinase G-mediated signaling. In addition, gene expression profiling revealed that IRS1 signaling may promote a proinflammatory response following PO. Together, these data identify IRS1 and Akt1 as critical signaling nodes that mediate LV remodeling in both mice and humans.

Diabetes medication pharmacology

Diabetes medication pharmacology

Cross-talk between insulin and IGF-1 receptors in the cortical collecting duct principal cells: implication for ENaC-mediated Na+ reabsorption.

Insulin and IGF-1 are recognized as powerful regulators of the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) in the aldosterone-sensitive distal nephron. As previously described, these hormones both acutely increase ENaC activity in freshly isolated split open tubules and cultured principal cortical collecting duct cells. The present study was aimed at differentiating the effects of insulin and IGF-1 on Na+ transport in immortalized mpkCCDcl4 cells and defining their interrelations. We have shown that both insulin and IGF-1 applied basolaterally, but not apically, enhanced transepithelial Na+ transport in the mpkCCDcl4 cell line with EC50 values of 8.8 and 14.5 nM, respectively. Insulin treatment evoked phosphorylation of both insulin and IGF-1 receptors, whereas the effects of IGF-1 were more profound on its own receptor rather than the insulin receptor. AG-1024 and PPP, inhibitors of IGF-1 and insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity, diminished insulin- and IGF-1-stimulated Na+ transport in mpkCCDcl4 cells. The effects of insulin and IGF-1 on ENaC-mediated currents were found to be additive, with insulin likely stimulating both IGF-1 and insulin receptors. We hypothesize that insulin activates IGF-1 receptors in addition to its own receptors, making the effects of these hormones interconnected.

A novel insulin receptor-signaling platform and its link to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes

Insulin-induced insulin receptor (IR) tyrosine kinase activation and insulin cell survival responses have been reported to be under the regulation of a membrane associated mammalian neuraminidase-1 (Neu1). The molecular mechanism(s) behind this process is unknown. Here, we uncover a novel Neu1 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) cross-talk in alliance with neuromedin B G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR), which is essential for insulin-induced IR activation and cellular signaling. Neu1, MMP-9 and neuromedin B GPCR form a complex with IRβ subunit on the cell surface. Oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu®), anti-Neu1 antibodies, broad range MMP inhibitors piperazine and galardin (GM6001), MMP-9 specific inhibitor (MMP-9i), and GPCR neuromedin B specific antagonist BIM-23127 dose-dependently inhibited Neu1 activity associated with insulin stimulated rat hepatoma cells (HTCs) that overly express human IRs (HTC-IR). Tamiflu, anti-Neu1 antibodies and MMP-9i attenuated phosphorylation of IRβ and insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS1) associated with insulin-stimulated cells. Olanzapine, an antipsychotic agent associated with insulin resistance, induced Neu3 sialidase activity in WG544 or 1140F01 human sialidosis fibroblast cells genetically defective in Neu1. Neu3 antagonist 2-deoxy-2,3-didehydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid (DANA) and anti-Neu3 antibodies inhibited sialidase activity associated with olanzapine treated murine Neu4 knockout macrophage cells. Olanzapine attenuated phosphorylation of IGF-R and IRS1 associated with insulin-stimulated human wild-type fibroblast cells. Our findings identify a novel insulin receptor-signaling platform that is critically essential for insulin-induced IRβ tyrosine kinase activation and cellular signaling. Olanzapine-induced Neu3 sialidase activity attenuated insulin-induced IGF-R and IRS1 phosphorylation contributing to insulin resistance.

Involvement of GLUT-4 in the stimulatory effect of rutin on glucose uptake in rat soleus muscle

The aim of this study was to investigate the in-vitro effect of rutin on glucose uptake in an insulin target (soleus muscle) and the mechanism of action involved. Isolated soleus muscles from rats were treated with rutin (500 μm) with or without the following inhibitors; hydroxy-2-naphthalenylmethylphosphonic acid trisacetoxymethyl ester (HNMPA(AM)3 ), an insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity inhibitor, wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), RO318220, an inhibitor of protein kinase C, colchicine, a microtubule-depolymerizing agent, PD98059, an inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK), and cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis on fresh Krebs Ringer-bicarbonate plus [U-(14) C]-2-deoxy-d-glucose (0.1 μCi/ml). Samples of tissue medium were used for the radioactivity measurements. Rutin increased the glucose uptake in rat soleus muscle. In addition, the effect of rutin on glucose uptake was completely inhibited by pretreatment with HNMPA(AM)3 , wortmannin, RO318220, colchicine, PD98059, and cycloheximide. These results suggested that rutin stimulated glucose uptake in the rat soleus muscle via the PI3K, atypical protein kinase C and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Also, rutin may have influenced glucose transporter translocation and may have directly activated the synthesis of the transporter GLUT-4. The similarities of rutin action on glucose uptake compared with the signalling pathways of insulin constitute strong evidence for the insulin-mimetic role of rutin in glucose homeostasis.

Insulin signaling: A potential signaling pathway for the stimulatory effect of kaempferitrin on glucose uptake in skeletal muscle

The aim of the study was to investigate the in vitro effect and the mechanism of action of kaempferitrin on glucose uptake in an insulin target (soleus muscle). A stimulatory effect of kaempferitrin on glucose uptake was observed when rat soleus muscle was incubated with 10, 100 and 1000ηM of this flavonoid glycoside. The presence of specific insulin signaling inhibitors, such as wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), RO318220, an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), PD98059, an inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK), HNMPA(AM)3, an insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity inhibitor, colchicine, a microtubule-depolymerizing agent, SB239063, an inhibitor of P38 MAPK and cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis showed that kaempferitrin triggers different metabolic and nuclear pathways in skeletal muscle. Besides the influence on glycogen storage, the metabolic action involves the insulin receptor, PI3K, atypical PKC activity and the translocation of GLUT4. Additionally, the nuclear pathways (via MAPK and MEK) provide evidence of the stimulation of the expression of glucose transporters or other signaling proteins, reinforcing proposals that skeletal muscle represents a primary site at which kaempferitrin exerts its effect promoting glucose homeostasis. Also, these similarities with the signaling pathways of insulin constitute strong evidence for the insulin-mimetic role of kaempferitrin in glucose homeostasis.

Novel Link Between Inflammation, Endothelial Dysfunction, and Muscle Insulin Resistance

In response to development of the euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp technique in the 1980s, much emphasis was placed on skeletal muscle as the major site of insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes (1). Following the discovery of the insulin receptor (IR) tyrosine kinase activity by Ron Kahn and colleagues (2) and the importance of IR substrate molecules in the 1990s (3,4), attention was directed on intrinsic alterations in the insulin signaling cascade in skeletal muscle and liver as fundamental causes of insulin resistance. In 1996, I joined Ron Kahn's laboratory as a participant in the gold rush to discover novel mechanisms responsible for insulin resistance. It was a time of intellectual and scientific awakening. With the advent of the Cre/loxP system, came the first surprise: muscle-specific IR knockout (MIRKO) mice showed no alterations in glucose homeostasis. Rather, they developed visceral adiposity (5). MIRKO mice exhibited impaired insulin activation of muscle glycogen synthase resulting in decreased muscle glycogen content (6,7). MIRKO mice also displayed reduced insulin-stimulated muscle glucose uptake during the euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp (6). However, under physiological conditions of a glucose tolerance test, MIRKO mice had near normal skeletal muscle glucose uptake and did not display insulin resistance (7). Conversely, disruption of insulin action in the hepatocyte-specific IR knockout mouse produced severe resistance to the blood glucose–lowering effect of insulin (8). Together with the MIRKO, the hepatocyte-specific IR knockout mouse demonstrated …

English

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most devastating complications of diabetes. The prevalence of Diabetic retinopathy in India is relatively on the lower side as compared to the western countries. Indian studies have recorded prevalence rates of 34.1% and 37% in two studies from south India . Our aim of the study is to measure and compare the serum levels of zinc and magnesium in normal individuals and in diabetic retinopathy patients. We found that serum magnesium levels in diabetic retinopathy mean is 11.98 ± 2.20 μ gm/ml levels were significantly lower (P< 0.001) than the controls, the value being 18.89 ± 4.26 μ gm/ml. Serum zinc levels in cases were being 0.422 ± 0.182 significantly lower than the control group 1.10 ± 0.20 μ gm/ml. (p< 0.001). Hypomagnesemia may be implicated in the etiology of diabetic retinopathy by causing reduction in the rate of inositol transport, causing subsequent intracellular inositol depletion and inhibition of Na+ K+ ATPase activity thus leading to the development of this complication. Zinc has been shown to stimulate insulin action and insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity. Its deficiency interferes with its normal physiological enzyme and hormone action causing impairment of insulin action and development of insulin resistance leading to diabetes mellitus and its complications. The decrease in these micro elements could be due to poor glycemic control, osmotic diuresis and altered metabolism.

Ahsg-fetuin blocks the metabolic arm of insulin action through its interaction with the 95-kD β-subunit of the insulin receptor

We previously have shown that Ahsg, a liver glycoprotein, inhibits insulin receptor (InsR) tyrosine kinase (TK) activity and the ERK1/2 mitogenic signaling arm of insulin signaling. Here we show that Ahsg blocks insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation and Akt activation in intact cells (mouse myoblasts). Furthermore, Ahsg inhibits InsR autophosphorylation of highly-purified insulin holoreceptors in a cell-free, ATP-dependent system, with an IC50 within the range of single-chain Ahsg concentrations in human serum. Binding of 125I-insulin to living cells overexpressing the InsR shows a dissociation constant (KD) of 250pM, unaltered in the presence of 300 nM Ahsg. A mutant InsR cDNA encoding the signal peptide, the β-subunit and the furin processing site, but deleting the α-subunit, was stably expressed in HEK293 cells. Treatment with peroxovanadate, but not insulin, dramatically increased the 95 kD β-subunit tyrosine phosphoryation. The level of tyrosine phosphorylation of the 95-kD β-subunit can be driven down sharply by treatment of living HEK293 transfectant cells with physiological doses of Ahsg. Treatment of myogenic cells with Ahsg blunts insulin-stimulated InsR autophosphorylation and AKT phosphorylation. Taken together, we show that Ahsg antagonizes the metabolic functions initiated by InsR activation without interference in insulin binding. The experiments suggest a direct interaction of Ahsg with the InsR ectodomain β-subunit in a mode that does not significantly alter the high-affinity binding of insulin to the holoreceptor's two complementing α-subunits.

The effect of demethylasterriquinone B-1 on insulin secretion in rat pancreas

A small nonpeptidyl compoud extracted from Pseudomassaria sp. was found to induce the activity of human insulin receptor tyrosine kinase in vitro. The compound was identified as demethylasterriquinone B-1 (DMAQ-B1). DMAQ- B1 also induced an increase in [Ca2+]i and insulin secretion in mice pancreatic beta-cells at low glucose (3 mM) concentration via insulin receptor substrate-1/phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3 kinase) pathway. By using rat pancreatic perfusion technique, we found that 10 μM DMAQ-B1 directly stimulated insulin secretion up to 240% in normal rat pancreas. In the dosage from 1 to 20 μM, DMAQ-B1 stimulated insulin secretion in a dose dependent manner. Furthermore, DMAQ-B1 enhanced glucose-induced insulin secretion by 17.6% (first stage) and 19.0% (second stage), respectively. The PI3 kinase inhibitors, LY 294002 (3.9 μM) or wortmannin (100 nM), inhibited DMAQ-B1-induced insulin secretion by 46.3% and 57.4%, respectively. LY 294002 or wortmannin also inhibited DMAQ-B1 with10 mMglucose-induced insulin secretion by 70.3% and 79.0%, respectively. All the results suggested that DMAQ-B1 directly stimulated insulin secretion and enhanced glucose-induced insulin secretion. The effect of DMAQ-B1 may mediate through the activation of PI3 kinase pathway to stimulate insulin secretion in normal rat pancreas.

Severe progressive obstructive cardiomyopathy and renal tubular dysfunction in Donohue syndrome with decreased insulin receptor autophosphorylation due to a novel INSR mutation

Donohue syndrome (leprechaunism; OMIM *246200) is a rare, recessively inherited disorder of extreme insulin resistance due to mutations in the insulin receptor gene (INSR) causing either defects in insulin binding or receptor autophosphorylation and tyrosine kinase activity. We report a patient with pronounced clinical picture of leprechaunism who developed severe progressive hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) and renal tubular dysfunction which improved on continuous subcutaneous infusion of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-1 (rhIGF-I). INSR gene molecular analysis and insulin receptor (IR) autophosphorylation on cultured fibroblasts were performed. A novel homozygous missense mutation p.Leu795Pro was found, located in the extracellular portion of the β subunit of the insulin receptor. The post-binding defect of the insulin receptor signaling in cultured fibroblasts demonstrated decreased insulin receptor autophosphorylation. Treatment with rhIGF-I partially reversed severe progressive HOCM and renal tubular dysfunction in a patient with Donohue syndrome associated with a novel p.Leu795Pro INSR gene mutation causing a severe decrease in IR autophosphorylation.

Insulin receptor regulates photoreceptor CNG channel activity.

Photoreceptor cyclic nucleotide gated (CNG) channels are critical elements in phototransduction and light adaptation. Here we report that insulin receptor (IR), an integral membrane protein, directly phosphorylates the CNGA1 subunit of CNG channels that in turn affects the function of these channels negatively. The IR phosphorylates Tyr(498) and Tyr(503) residues on CNGA1 that are situated at the membrane-cytoplasmic interface. The IR tyrosine kinase activity is essential for the inhibition of CNG channel. To maintain the channels in an off state, it is necessary not only to have a precise balance of the cGMP levels but also to have a control on the cGMP sensitivity of the CNG channels itself. In this study, we observed that the channel opens at a lower concentration of cGMP in IR(-/-) mice. These studies suggest that IR regulates the modulation of CNG channel activity in vivo.

Effect of Metformin on Tyrosine Kinase Autophosphorylation of Erythrocyte Insulin Receptor from Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Objective To document the possible effect of tyrosine kinase autophosphorylation on erythrocyte insulin-receptor after 12 weeks of metformin administration from the women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods Thirty non-obese (BMI 2 ) healthy women with normal reproductive cycles were evaluated by conventional criteria as the control, 30 non-obese women with PCOS were categorized as nob-PCOS group, 40 obese women with PCOS (BMI ⩾ 25 kg/m 2 ) were categorized as ob-PCOS group. Subjects with PCOS were given metformin 850 mg/d for 12 weeks. The autophosphorylation of insulin receptor pY1158, pY1162/1163 and insulin receptor-β subunit (IR-β) from the solubilised erythrocyte were detected by ELISA. Results 1) Only the autophosphorylation level of pY1158 in nob-PCOS and ob-PCOS groups was lower (P 0.05), even insulin-stimulated insulin receptor (P>0.05) from both of PCOS groups. 2) After metformin administration, the pY1158, pY1162/pY1163 autophosphorylation levels were increased (P 0.05). In summary, oral administration of metformin led to an significant increase in tyrosine kinase activity in both groups of PCOS. Conclusion The impairment of tyrosine autophosphorylation at pY1158 may contribute to insulin resistance, the tyrosine kinase activity per receptor of solubilised erythrocytes were significantly increased by metformin administration and the effect of metformin on insulin-receptor tyrosine kinase activity appeared to be independent of either of these variables.

Anti-hyperglycemic action of apigenin-6-C-β-fucopyranoside from Averrhoa carambola

A stimulatory effect of apigenin-6-C-β-fucopyranoside (1) on glucose uptake was observed when rat soleus muscle was incubated with 1, 10 and 100μM of this flavonoid glycoside. The presence of specific insulin signaling inhibitors, such as wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), RO318220, an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), PD98059, an inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK), and HNMPA(AM)3, an insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity inhibitor showed that apigenin-6-C-β-fucopyranoside triggers different metabolic pathways in skeletal muscle. The oral administration of crude extract, fractions and isolated flavonoids (apigenin-6-C-β-fucopyranoside (1) and apigenin-6-C-(2″-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-fucopyranoside (2)) from Averrhoa carambola leaves exhibited a potential hypoglycemic activity in hyperglycemic normal rats. Additionally, both flavonoids significantly increased the muscle and liver glycogen content after an acute treatment. The results indicate that A. carambola can be regarded as a potent antihyperglycemic agent with insulin secretagogue and insulin mimetic properties.

Molecular docking studies of banana flower flavonoids as insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activators as a cure for diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder caused due to insulin deficiency. Banana flower is a rich source of flavonoids that exhibit anti diabetic activity. Insulin receptor is a tetramer that belongs to a family of receptor tyrosine kinases. It contains two alpha subunits that form the extracellular domain and two beta subunits that constitute the intracellular tyrosine kinase domain. Insulin binds to the extracellular region of the receptor and causes conformational changes that lead to the activation of the tyrosine kinase. This leads to autophosphorylation, a step that is crucial in insulin signaling pathway. Hence, compounds that augment insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity would be useful in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The 3D structure of IR tyrosine kinase was obtained from PDB database. The list of flavonoids found in banana flower was obtained from USDA database. The structures of the flavonoids were obtained from NCBI Pubchem. Docking analysis of the flavonoids was performed using Autodock 4.0 and Autodock Vina. The results indicate that few of the flavonoids may be potential activators of IR tyrosine kinase.

The association of phosphoinositide 3‐kinase enhancer A with hepatic insulin receptor enhances its kinase activity

Dysfunction of hepatic insulin receptor tyrosine kinase (IRTK) causes the development of type 2 diabetes. However, the molecular mechanism regulating IRTK activity in the liver remains poorly understood. Here, we show that phosphoinositide 3-kinase enhancer A (PIKE-A) is a new insulin-dependent enhancer of hepatic IRTK. Liver-specific Pike-knockout (LPKO) mice display glucose intolerance with impaired hepatic insulin sensitivity. Specifically, insulin-provoked phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt signalling is diminished in the liver of LPKO mice, leading to the failure of insulin-suppressed gluconeogenesis and hyperglycaemia. Thus, hepatic PIKE-A has a key role in mediating insulin signal transduction and regulating glucose homeostasis in the liver.

Adiponectin Enhances Insulin Sensitivity by Increasing Hepatic IRS-2 Expression via a Macrophage-Derived IL-6-Dependent Pathway

Insulin resistance is often associated with impeded insulin signaling due either to decreased concentrations or functional modifications of crucial signaling molecules including insulin receptor substrates (IRS) in the liver. Many actions of adiponectin, a well-recognized antidiabetic adipokine, are currently attributed to the activation of two critical molecules downstream of AdipoR1 and R2: AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα). However, the direct effects of adiponectin on insulin signaling molecules remain poorly understood. We show here that adiponectin upregulates IRS-2 through activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3). Surprisingly, this activation is associated with IL-6 production from macrophages induced by adiponectin through NFκB activation independent of its authentic receptors, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2. These data have unraveled an insulin-sensitizing action initiated by adiponectin leading to upregulation of hepatic IRS-2 via an IL-6 dependent pathway through a still unidentified adiponectin receptor.