Insulin Receptor
Dr Mike Lawrence and Dr Colin Ward are interested in understanding the way in which insulin binds to its receptor on the surface of cells. Their work has recently led to the first structure of the intact extra-cellular part of the insulin receptor which revealed the likely way in which the insulin binding site is constructed. The challenge is now to find out exactly how insulin binds to this site and to understand what structural transitions occur within the receptor when insulin binds. The techniques employed in this work include both protein X-ray crystallography and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Their work includes extensive used of synchrotron radiation.
The insulin receptor (IR) is also part of the broader IGF signalling system which includes the insulin-like growth factor type 1 receptor (IGF-1R). IGF-1R and IR are closely related in structure. Aberrant signalling within this system has been shown to play a role in the development and progression of cancer. There is thus a need to understand the way in which insulin-like growth factors types 1 and 2 binds to IGF-1R and in which insulin-like growth factors type 2 binds to the IR. To this end the structure of the ligand-bound IGF-1R is also being pursued.
