The roles of receptor abnormalities in the pathogenesis and chronic complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a polygenic disorder with complicated biochemic al alterations. Numerous investigators have examined the implication of rec eptor abnormalities in the pathogenesis of the disorder. The authors review the potential roles of some important receptors, such as the insulin recep tor, beta(3)-adrenergic receptor, leptin receptor and peroxisome proliferat or-activated receptor gamma, in the pathogenesis of human type 2 diabetes. They emphasize the significance of effective glycemic control by examining the evidence that strongly suggests the association of chronic complication s of type 2 diabetes with abnormalities of receptors for the advanced glyca tion end products, transforming growth factor-beta and platelet-derived gro wth factor. The molecular understanding of receptor abnormalities and alter ations in postreceptor signalling pathways may not only clarify the pathoge nesis of human type 2 diabetes and the development of chronic complications in the disorder but also provide insight into more efficacious drug regime ns that target these receptors.