Signaling and Nutrient Sensing
The Signaling and Nutrient Sensing Program supports research aimed at elucidating intracellular signals that regulate cellular responses to insulin and other hormones as well as studies that reveal the role of nutrient sensing signaling pathways in the development and/or progression of insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, Type 2 Diabetes and obesity. The identification of regulators, interacting partners, and substrates as well as elucidation of modes of signal transmission that influence biological systems impacted by diabetes, obesity and metabolic diseases is a major focus of this program. Investigations designed to reveal cross-talk between insulin signaling and the mTOR pathway, including studies examining the biochemical basis of mTOR's positive effects on cell growth and negative effects on insulin signaling should be assigned to this portfolio. Examples of specific areas of interest include:
- Molecular analysis of ligand binding, activation and interaction of signal relay molecules to the insulin receptor including cross-talk between signaling pathways involved in or influencing responses to insulin or other hormones; for example, intracellular kinases, phosphatases, and anchoring/scaffolding proteins.
- Nutrient modulation of cytoplasmic signals upstream and downstream of the mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR); including studies centered on kinases upstream of mTOR such as the class 3 phosphatidylinositol-3 kinases (PI-3K) and the AMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK), mTOR-associated proteins including Raptor, GβL, PRAS40, Rictor and mSin1, and substrates such as the ribosomal S6 kinases (S6K1 and S6K2) and the 4E-binding protein (4E-BP1); as well as biochemical pathways that may intersect or impact mTOR signaling such as PKB, RSK, and ERK-mediated events modulating the function of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex proteins (TSC-1&2).
- Functional analysis of signaling receptors and relays to include comparisons of wild type and mutant proteins in cell culture and in genetically engineered animal models.
- Basic and preclinical studies that develop novel therapies focused around modulation of the mTOR pathway for chronic conditions of interest to DEM.
For additional information, contact Dr. Corinne Silva, Director, Signaling and Nutrient Sensing Program.
Resources for Researchers
Clinical Research
Centers
- Diabetes and Endocrinology Research Centers (DERC) - Overview & Map
- Diabetes Research and Training Centers (DRTC) - Overview & Map
Related Study Sections
NIDDK Staff
- Dr. Kristin Abraham, Cell Signaling and Diabetes Centers Program Director
- Dr. Michael Appel, Director, Islet Biology and Transplantation Research Program
- Dr. Olivier Blondel, Director, Endocrine Systems Biology Program
- Dr. Judith Fradkin, Director, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases
- Dr. Carol Haft, Senior Advisor for Cell Biology, Associate Director for Grants Administration
- Dr. James Hyde, Senior Advisor, Research Training and Career Development Programs
- Dr. Teresa Jones, Diabetes Complications Program Director
- Dr. Saul Malozowski, Senior Advisor for Endocrine Physiology
- Dr. Ronald Margolis, Senior Advisor, Molecular Endocrinology
- Dr. Michael May, Director, Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrinology Program
- Dr. Aaron Pawlyk, Director, Pharmacogenomics and Drug Discovery Program
- Dr. Sheryl Sato , Director, Neurobiology of Obesity and Developmental Biology
- Dr. Corinne Silva, Director, Intracellular and Intrauterine Signaling Programs
- Dr. Lisa Spain, Director, Immunobiology of Type 1 Diabetes Program and Autoimmune Endocrine Diseases Program
- Dr. Myrlene Staten, Senior Advisor, Diabetes Research Translation
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Funding Opportunities
Funding for Special Communities
Conferences
Related Organizations
See Also
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Page last updated: March 25, 2011
