Signaling Pathways in Insulin Action

University Of California, San Diego, La Jolla CA

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): There is little doubt that we are in the midst of a worldwide epidemic of diabetes. Insulin resistance is recognized as a characteristic trait of the disease, defined by the inability to respond to normal circulating levels of insulin, and is usuall closely associated with obesity. Recent data suggest an inflammatory link between obesity and insulin resistance. However, the teleological reasons or these findings, and the manner in which energy storage is preserved in the absence of insulin action remain a mystery. We hypothesize that the induction of a counter-inflammatory program plays a key role in preserving energy storage, reducing energy expenditure and ensuring that insulin resistance is maintained during obesity. We will explore this hypothesis with three aims: 1) we will elucidate the temporal and spatial aspect of counter-inflammation, paying particular attention to the induction of the kinases IKK? and TBK1. We will knock these out in tissue-specific manner to determine the primary sites at which these events occur relevant to changes in metabolism; 2) we will deeply explore the molecular targets of these kinases, focusing on their ability to repress sympathetic activation of adipocytes though changes in cAMP levels, and 3) we will evaluate the role of these counterinflammatory kinases in the generation and sustaining of insulin resistance by examining insulin receptor pathways in cells.