Insulin Receptor Signal Transduction Pathway

The insulin receptor pathway plays a key role in the regulation of metabolic homeostasis. The insulin receptor acts as a tyrosine kinase and, upon insulin binding, initiates a phosphorylation cascade that increases the concentration of glucose transporter molecules in muscle and adipose tissue. Further regulation is maintained through the link to the AKT/PI3K pathways which also promotes conversion of glucose in glycogen for cellular storage.