The primary physiological role of insulin is to maintain proper blood glucose levels (glucose homeostasis). Insulin does this by stimulating glucose uptake into insulin-sensitive tissues such as adipose tissue and skeletal muscle and by inhibiting new glucose formation (gluconeogenesis) in the liver. Insulin resistance, which affects more than 90% of individuals with Type 2 diabetes, develops when the body is no longer able to respond correctly to the insulin circulating in the blood.

A full understanding of the biochemical basis of insulin resistance is crucial for the development of new therapies for Type 2 diabetes. Protemix is investigating the mechanisms of insulin resistance by applying proteomic techniques to identify the patterns of protein expression in cells and tissues from insulin resistant subjects.

Apart from Type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance is a central feature of several common human disorders (hypertension, coronary artery disease, obesity) that are risk factors for cardiovascular disease and heart failure. A build up of fat (lipid, particularly triglycerides) in skeletal muscle accompanies many of these diseases. This accumulation is thought to make a significant contribution to the underlying mechanism in these conditions, thereby causing insulin resistance. Based on studies at Protemix, our researchers have established that there are major metabolically active pools of triglyceride in skeletal muscle that appear to be mobilized by the peptide hormone EN122004.