This portfolio of issued patents covers several proteins (and the genes encoding them) that are the downstream substrates of the insulin receptor in the early steps of the signal transduction pathways triggered by insulin’s binding to its receptor. Patent No. 5,260,200 covers DNA encoding the IRS-1 protein and Patent No. 5,621,075 covers the IRS-1 protein itself, that is a substrate for tyrosine phosphorylation by the activated insulin receptor B subunit, following receptor activation. Patent No. 5,858,701 claims nucleic acids encoding IRS-2, part of a family of proteins which are substrates for the insulin receptor, as well as the IL-4 and IL-15 receptors. Patent No. 5,650,293 covers nucleic acids encoding Pp60 (PIK), a novel protein that binds to IRS-1 and which may compete with the PI kinase for IRS-1 binding. Also included in the portfolio are IRS-1 and IRS-2 knockout mice.
Clinical &
Commercial Utility:
Together, these proteins may represent important targets for drug discovery and/or intervention to modulate the activity of the insulin receptor. These proteins and mouse models can therefore be used in drug screening to identify agents for diabetes or other insulin-related disorders.
Joslin Diabetes Center is offering non-exclusive licenses to use this technology in research and development, drug screening and other commercial activities.
For more information please contact:
David J. Glass, Ph.D.
Director, Technology Transfer
Office of the General Counsel
Joslin Diabetes Center - Room 755C
One Joslin Place
Boston, MA 02215
Phone: 617-732-2400, ext. 4793
Fax: 617-732-2542 David.Glass@Joslin.Harvard.edu
