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Diabetes and Insulin Signaling


Kristy J. Wilson
School of Mathematics and Sciences
Marian University


Cellular signaling, otherwise known as signal transduction, is the mechanism by which cellular context and environmental situation are used to regulate or adjust cellular behavior. Multicellular organisms use cellular signaling to coordinate responses to the environment, facilitate development, and maintain homeostasis. The mechanisms by which a cell receives a message and translates it into short-term or long-term effects are as varied as the responses stimulated by cellular signaling. There are, however, some generalized steps that can be applied to many different signaling situations. This case study uses insulin signaling and the pathological case of diabetes as a lens through which students will learn general signaling mechanisms like kinase cascades and second messenger pathways. The case is designed in the interrupted format and has three parts that could be used either as homework or as an in-class activity. It is written for use in a cell biology class for sophomore or junior undergraduates but could also be utilized in biochemistry, physiology, or genetics courses.


  • Divide a signaling pathway into generalized parts: signal, receptor, signaling effectors (i.e., signaling cascades or second messengers) and short-term/long-term effects.
  • Explain the role of phosphorylation in protein/enzyme activity and how it contributes to signal transduction.
  • Apply signal transduction mechanisms to diabetes's physiological symptoms.
  • Hypothesize a mechanism to explain how signaling in diabetes might be specific for different tissue types.
  • Design a line of inquiry or an experiment that could identify a cause of insulin resistance in type-2 diabetes.


Cellular signaling; signal transduction; insulin; insulin signaling; insulin resistance; diabetes; receptor; kinase; transcription factor; second messenger

Topical Areas


Educational Level

Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper division, Graduate



Type / Methods

Discussion, Interrupted



Subject Headings

Cell Biology  |   Molecular Biology  |   Biology (General)  |   Biochemistry  |   Physiology  |   Genetics / Heredity  |   Medicine (General)  |  

Date Posted


Teaching Notes



Answer Key
