Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Study of In Vivo Glucose Metabolism in High-fat Diet-fed Mice Using Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) and Insulin Tolerance Test (ITT)
Published on: January 7, 2018
Insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk: New insights from molecular and cellular biology
Carmine Morisco1, Giuseppe Lembo, Bruno Trimarco
1Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica Scienze Cardiovascolari ed Immunologiche, Université FEDERICO II Napoli, 80131 Napoli, Italy. cmorisco@yahoo.com
Abstract:
Insulin resistance has been described in several diseases that increase cardiovascular risk and mortality, such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and heart failure. Abnormalities of insulin signaling account for insulin resistance. Insulin mediates its action on target organs through phosphorylation of a transmembrane-spanning tyrosine kinase receptor, the insulin receptor (IR). Several mechanisms have been described as responsible for the inhibition of insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of IR and the IR substrate (IRS) proteins, including proteasome-mediated degradation, phosphatase-mediated dephosphorylation, and kinase-mediated serine/threonine phosphorylation. In particular, phosphorylation of IRS-1 on serine Ser612 causes dissociation of the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, inhibiting further signaling. On the other hand, phosphorylation of IRS-1 on Ser307 results in its dissociation from the IR and triggers proteasome-dependent degradation. Dysregulation of sympathetic nervous and renin-angiotensin systems resulting in enhanced stimulation of both adrenergic and angiotensin II receptors is a typical feature of several cardiovascular diseases and, at the same time, is involved in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. The characterization of molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance may help to design efficacious pharmacologic molecules to treat endothelial and metabolic dysfunction associated with insulin resistance states to reduce the cardiovascular risk and to ameliorate the prognosis of patients with cardiovascular diseases.
Insights
Insulin resistance, linked to cardiovascular diseases, involves disrupted insulin signaling pathways. Understanding these molecular mechanisms is key to developing treatments that reduce cardiovascular risk.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Insulin resistance is a hallmark of conditions like diabetes, obesity, and hypertension, significantly increasing cardiovascular risk.
- Abnormalities in insulin signaling, particularly the phosphorylation of the insulin receptor (IR) and IR substrates (IRS), underlie insulin resistance.
- Dysregulation of the sympathetic nervous and renin-angiotensin systems contributes to both cardiovascular diseases and insulin resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms driving insulin resistance.
- To identify potential therapeutic targets for endothelial and metabolic dysfunction.
- To reduce cardiovascular risk and improve patient outcomes in insulin resistance states.
Main Methods:
- Investigated mechanisms inhibiting insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor (IR) and IR substrate (IRS) proteins.
- Examined the roles of proteasome-mediated degradation, phosphatase activity, and kinase-mediated serine/threonine phosphorylation.
- Analyzed the impact of specific phosphorylation sites (Ser612, Ser307) on IRS-1 signaling and stability.
Main Results:
- Identified key inhibitory mechanisms in insulin resistance, including IRS-1 phosphorylation at Ser612 and Ser307.
- Ser612 phosphorylation disrupts phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling, while Ser307 phosphorylation leads to IR dissociation and proteasomal degradation.
- Highlighted the interplay between cardiovascular disease pathways (sympathetic nervous, renin-angiotensin systems) and insulin resistance pathogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Characterizing molecular pathways of insulin resistance is crucial for therapeutic development.
- Targeting these mechanisms may ameliorate metabolic dysfunction and reduce cardiovascular risk.
- Further research can lead to novel pharmacologic strategies for managing insulin resistance-associated conditions.
Related Concept Videos
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
Type II Diabetes I: Introduction
Carbohydrate Metabolism
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in the...
Insulin: The Receptor and Signaling Pathways
Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology