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Figure 4 | Journal of Molecular Signaling

Figure 4

From: Mitochondrial H2O2 as an enable signal for triggering autophosphorylation of insulin receptor in neurons

Figure 4

Scheme of functional relationship between insulin receptor and mitochondria during receptor activation in neurons. Insulin stimulation evokes a transient single H2O2 spike with a peak at 5–10 s and duration of less than 30 s. Mitochondrial complex II and, to a lesser extent, I are involved in H2O2 generation. Autophosphorylation only occurs when the H2O2 signal has surpassed a certain threshold. Conversely, if the H2O2 signal does not reach this threshold, no autophosphorylation occurs, even in response to the highest insulin dose. Upon the autophosphorylation, receptor tyrosine kinase becomes fully activated and initiates signaling to the inside of the neuron. Therefore, the receptor is activated if two conditions are met: 1) insulin binds to the receptor, and 2) the H2O2 signal exceeds a certain threshold, enabling receptor autophosphorylation.

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