New Cause of Severe Insulin Resistance Found

Researchers investigating the mechanisms underlying type-2 diabetes have confirmed the importance of the protein PPAR gamma and have implicated a second gene, PPP1R3A, which may lead to novel targets for new drug discovery. The findings appeared in the July 15, 2002, issue of Nature Genetics.

The gene PP1R3A encodes a regulatory subunit for protein phosphatase 1. Phosphatases are known to be involved in modulating insulin signaling. In diabetics, defects in both of these genes produce severely impaired insulin responsiveness. These findings clarify the path involved in insulin responsiveness and may lead to improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. The study was conducted by researchers from Incyte Genomics, Inc. (Palo Alto, CA, USA) and researchers from the University of Cambridge (UK) in an ongoing collaboration.

PPAR gamma is the target of insulin-sensitizing drugs such as Actos and Avanda, reported to underlie some forms of insulin resistance by Incyte Genomics.

"These results illustrate the potential for genomic and genetic studies to shed light on the mechanisms of disease and to offer opportunities to define novel targets for innovative drug discovery,” said Robert B. Stein, M.D., Ph.D., president and chief scientific officer at Incyte.




Related Links:
Incyte
Univ. Cambridge