The Insulin Receptor: Its Role in Insulin Resistance of Obesity and Diabetes

Abstract

In recent years, techniques have become available to study the interaction between insulin and its cellular receptors. This has led to an explosion of information concerning the status of insulin receptors in normal and abnormal physiologic states. Obesity and nonketotic diabetes are two common abnormal states in which insulin resistance exists, and the purpose of this review is to summarize current knowledge concerning the cellular mechanisms of insulin resistance in these conditions, with specific emphasis on insulin receptors and how they may relate to the pathogenesis of resistance to insulin action.