AsianScientist (Jan. 14, 2013) – Researchers have solved the structure of insulin bound to its receptor, the first time that this structure has been visualized.
The research, published this week in the journal Nature, was led by the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and used the Australian Synchrotron in Melbourne.
For more than 20 years scientists have been trying to solve the mystery of how insulin binds to the insulin receptor. This binding is necessary for the cells to take up sugar from the blood as energy.
“Understanding how insulin interacts with the insulin receptor is fundamental to the development of novel insulins for the treatment of diabetes,” said Associate Professor Lawrence, who led the research team together with Dr. Colin Ward and Dr. John Menting.
“Until now we have not been able to see how these molecules interact with cells. We can now exploit this knowledge to design new insulin medications with improved properties, which is very exciting.”
In this landmark discovery, the researchers found that the insulin hormone engages its receptor in a very unusual way. Both insulin and its receptor undergo rearrangement as they interact – a piece of insulin folds out and key pieces within the receptor move to engage the insulin hormone, a process that scientists have dubbed a ‘molecular handshake.’
“Insulin is a key treatment for diabetics, but there are many ways that its properties could potentially be improved,” Lawrence said. “This discovery could conceivably lead to new types of insulin that could be given in ways other than injection, or an insulin that has improved properties or longer activity so that it doesn’t need to be taken as often.”
The article can be found at: Menting JG et al. (2013) How insulin engages its primary binding site on the insulin receptor.
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Source: WEHI; Photo: DeathbyBokeh/Flickr/CC.
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