Researchers discover a new way in which insulin interacts with its receptor

The biological actions of insulin are mediated by its receptor–the insulin receptor — which is localized on the cell surface. In a new study, researchers based in Germany, Canada, and Finland show how insulin interacts with its receptor at a second binding site. The scientists hope that these new details concerning insulin-receptor interactions will ultimately expand the current models of insulin binding to its receptor and pave the way towards new approaches to structure-based drug design.