Autoantibodies to insulin receptors.

In summary, these studies using antibodies to the insulin receptor have provided some new insights into the structure of the insulin receptor and the action of insulin itself. They suggest that most of insulin's actions are mediated through a common pathway and these can be initiated by interaction of ligands other than insulin with the insulin receptor. These include the entire spectrum of metabolic effects (both acute and chronic). Receptor occupancy alone is not sufficient for signal generation. Both insulin and anti-receptor antibody induce receptor aggregation which appears to be required for activity. And finally, although both insulin and anti-receptor antibody are internalized, there is no evidence to suggest that this is important in their action. The growth effect of insulin appears to be mediated via a different pathway.