How insulin and IGF1 receptors send signals inside cells
Official title: Structural and biochemical studies of receptor tyrosine kinases
Funded at Northport VA Medical Center · NIH-11213934 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at how insulin and IGF1 receptors and their partner proteins interact to control cell metabolism relevant to adult-onset diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northport VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Northport, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2023 |
| Project end | September 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX006248-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11213934 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with adult-onset (type 2) diabetes, especially those with insulin resistance, are the primary patient group who might eventually benefit.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose diabetes is caused by unrelated genetic defects or conditions not linked to insulin/IGF1 signaling may not benefit from this work.
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers are purifying the full insulin receptor (IR) and the IGF1 receptor (IGF1R) to study them as intact proteins. They will use cryo-electron microscopy to capture detailed 3D pictures of the receptors when they are bound to downstream partners like IRS1 and the phosphatase PTP1B. The team will also introduce specific mutations into mammalian cells to see how those changes alter signaling behavior. Together these experiments aim to show how receptor shape and partner binding control insulin action in cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal molecular targets for new drugs that improve insulin signaling and blood sugar control.
How similar studies have gone: Previous structural work on separate receptor domains has been informative, but resolving full-length receptors bound to their signaling partners is a more recent and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Northport VA Medical Center
Northport, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Miller, W Todd — Northport VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Miller, W Todd
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.