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Insulin Receptor Substrates

Meaning

Insulin Receptor Substrates (IRS) are a family of ubiquitous intracellular signaling proteins that act as critical intermediaries in the cascade initiated by the binding of insulin to its cell-surface receptor. Upon insulin binding, the activated receptor phosphorylates the IRS proteins, which then relay the signal to various downstream pathways, ultimately regulating glucose uptake, cell growth, and survival. The proper function of these substrates is essential for maintaining metabolic homeostasis, and their impairment is a central feature of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.