The IRS proteins 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. Insulin Receptor Substrate-1 (IRS-1) is a substrate for tyrosine phosphorylation by the activated insulin receptor B subunit following receptor activation. The IRS-2 protein is part of a family of proteins which are substrates for the insulin receptor, as well as the IL-4 and IL-15 receptors.
Clinical &
Commercial Utility:
The available technology features knockout mice lacking either the IRS-1 or IRS-2 gene. IRS-1 knockout mice show 50% reduction in intrauterine growth, impaired glucose tolerance, and resistance to the glucose-lowering effects of insulin. IRS-2 knockout mice show a phenotype that is like Type 2 diabetes, and have also been shown to exhibit female infertility. These mouse models are useful in drug screening for diabetes and other insulin-related disorders.
Joslin Diabetes Center is offering non-exclusive licenses to this technology, for use in R&D, including drug discovery and development.
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
