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A Treatment of Insulin Resistance and Type II Diabetes Mellitus with a Thiol Protease Inhibitor
 
Summary:
This novel approach to the reduction of insulin resistance involves the inhibition of insulin receptor degradation.
The beta-subunit of the insulin receptor protein is lost from the cellular membrane after treatment with insulin.  This insulin-induced proteolysis occurs concomitantly with the loss of cellular insulin binding activity (1).  Inhibition of insulin receptor degradation leads to a reduction in cellular insulin resistance.
By directly inhibiting the causative agent of insulin resistance, the inhibitor causes a decrease in blood glucose levels and a resultant decrease in blood insulin levels.
Current therapy for insulin resistance involves increasing the circulating levels of insulin.  This novel approach would be preferable because it would avoid the side effects consequent to high insulin levels in circulation such as diabetic nephropathy.
 
Technology Status:
This patent is available for licensing from UT-Houston Health Science Center.


Patent Status:

Patent 5,545,672


Inventor:

Victoria Knutson, Ph.D.
Publications:
1) Knutson, V. P. (1991) Proteolytic Processing of the Insulin Receptor beta-Subunit is Associated with Insulin-induced Receptor Down-regulation.  J. Biol. Chem. 266, 15656-15662.
2) Knutson, V.P., et.al (1995) Insulin Resistance Mediated by a Proteolytic Fragment of the Insulin Receptor.  J. Biol. Chem. 270, 24.