Regulation of insulin signalling & glucose homeostasis by protein tyrosine phosphatases

Funded Activity Summary

Type 2 diabetes has reached epidemic proportions afflicting roughly 6% of the adult population in Western society. Although the underlying genetic causes and the associated pathological symptoms are heterogenous, a common feature is high blood glucose due to peripheral insulin resistance. The molecular basis of insulin resistance is believed to be attributable to defects in insulin receptor (IR) signalling. The IR is a protein tyrosine kinase that phosphorylates itself and downstream substrates on tyrosine in response to insulin. Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) that dephosphorylate the IR and its substrates might be important targets for therapeutic intervention in type 2 diabetes; inhibition of specific PTPs may allow for enhanced insulin-induced signalling to alleviate insulin resistance. This proposal will examine the roles of PTPs and in particular TCPTP in IR signalling in vivo. Our studies will shed light on the molecular mechanisms of IR regulation and function and may provide important insights into novel strategies for enhancing insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2006

End Date: 01-01-2008

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $503,776.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Endocrinology

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

cell signalling | diabetes (type 2) | diabetes mellitus | glucose homeostasis | insulin resistance | insulin sensitivity | protein tyrosine phosphatase | signal transduction | tyrosine phosphorylation

Related Links