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The Insulin Receptor: An Important Target for the Development of Novel Medicines and Pesticides

Authors :
Xiaohong Zhang
Xuezhen Zhu
Xiaoyang Bi
Jiguang Huang
Lijuan Zhou
Source :
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol 23, Iss 14, p 7793 (2022)
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2022.

Abstract

The insulin receptor (IR) is a transmembrane protein that is activated by ligands in insulin signaling pathways. The IR has been considered as a novel therapeutic target for clinical intervention, considering the overexpression of its protein and A-isoform in multiple cancers, Alzheimer’s disease, and Type 2 diabetes mellitus in humans. Meanwhile, it may also serve as a potential target in pest management due to its multiple physiological influences in insects. In this review, we provide an overview of the structural and molecular biology of the IR, functions of IRs in humans and insects, physiological and nonpeptide small molecule modulators of the IR, and the regulating mechanisms of the IR. Xenobiotic compounds and the corresponding insecticidal chemicals functioning on the IR are also discussed. This review is expected to provide useful information for a better understanding of human IR-related diseases, as well as to facilitate the development of novel small-molecule activators and inhibitors of the IR for use as medicines or pesticides.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14220067 and 16616596
Volume :
23
Issue :
14
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.53237788b7490ea0b9da0c3a377cf2
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23147793