The Molecular Mechanism of Insulin Action

Insulin initiates its action by binding to a glycoprotein receptor on the surface of the cell. This receptor consists of an alpha-subunit, which binds the hormone, and a beta-subunit, which is an insulin-stimulated, tyrosine-specific protein kinase. Activation of this kinase is believed to generate a signal that eventually results in insulin's action on glucose, lipid, and protein metabolism. The growth-promoting effects of insulin appear to occur through activation of receptors for the family of related insulin-like growth factors. Both genetic and acquired abnormalities in the number of insulin receptors, the activity of the receptor kinase, and the various post-receptor steps in insulin action occur in disease states leading to tissue resistance to insulin action.