Guertin Lab Reviews the Multi-omics Era of Adipocyte Insulin Signaling and Metabolism Research in Trends in Biochemical Sciences

The Guertin Lab published a review article in Trends in Biochemical Sciences discussing how proteomics and metabolomics are advancing the understanding of insulin signaling focusing on fat cells (white and brown adipocytes).  A cross-pond collaboration with Daniel Fazakerley, PhD at the University of Cambridge describes how integrating the two ‘omics techniques is critical to clarifying adipocyte insulin action in Type 2 diabetes.

“Fat cells, or adipocytes, are major regulators of whole-body metabolism and a central focus of obesity and metabolic disease research,” said David Guertin, PhD, a professor in the program in molecular medicine at UMass Chan Medical School.  “Our article emphasizes a turning point in research where advances in mass spectrometry are now allowing scientists to examine the entire insulin signaling network rather than classic strategies that focused on single enzyme-substrate interactions.  The field is now getting unprecedented detail about how insulin signaling and glucose metabolism interact to maintain overall health and so this was a timely moment to discuss recent progress and where the field is going.” 

The article also raises several questions for future investigation with important implications for understanding and treating insulin resistance, obesity and metabolic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes.

“The idea for the article grew from in-person conversations at the FASEB Metabolism meeting, which was one the last meetings attended before the pandemic,” added Dr. Guertin.

Integrating adipocyte insulin signaling and metabolism in the multi-omics era

Guertin Lab alum and first author Camila Martinez Calejman, PhD (now at the University of Buenos Aires), co-corresponding author Dr. Fazerkeley at the Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, and Dr. Guertin each gave presentations at the meeting.  Those presentations stimulated conversations leading to this review article, highlighting the importance of in-person meetings for advancing science and discussion.  Guertin lab research associate Will Doxsey also contributed to the article.   

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