REGULATION OF THE INSULIN SIGNALING PATHWAY BY CELLULAR PROTEIN-TYROSINE PHOSPHATASES

Protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases) have been implicated in the ph ysiological regulation of the insulin signalling pathway. In cellular and molecular studies, the transmembrane, receptor-type PTPase LAR and the intracellular, non-receptor enzyme PTP1B have been shown to have a direct impact on insulin action in intact cell models. Since insulin signalling can be enhanced by reducing the abundance or activity of s pecific PTPases, pharmaceutical agents directed at blocking the intera ction between individual PTPases and the insulin receptor may have pot ential clinical relevance to the treatment of insulin-resistant states such as obesity and Type II diabetes mellitus.