Program Directors: David G. Gardner and Ira D. Goldfine
The Receptors and Signaling Program of the DERC includes 18 investigators from the UCSF Diabetes Center and other University departments with shared interests in the areas of signal transduction and diabetes.
- Signaling Events in Autoimmunity
A major focus of the Receptors and Signaling Program in this area is understanding the signaling events that lead to the activation of autoreactive T cells that are targeted towards pancreatic islets. One important aspect involves characterizing the signaling events through the T cell receptor (TCR). However, TCR signaling is insufficient for the complete activation of T cells. A second costimulatory signal is required, provided by binding of a T cell surface molecule (such as CD28) to its ligand expressed on the surface of an antigen presenting cell. Faculty of the DERC seek to characterize the signaling cascades through both the TCR and costimulatory pathways, as they hold significant implications for mediating the autoimmune response of diabetes and the alloimmune processes responsible for islet transplant rejection.
- Insulin/IGF Receptor Signaling
The insulin receptor and the accessory signaling molecules that associate with the receptor lie at the core of insulin sensitivity in target tissues. As a general theme, investigators within this program will focus on refining our understanding of the insulin signal transduction process, with the idea of identifying novel mechanisms that might contribute to insulin resistance in the metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes.
- Hormone & Growth Factor Signaling
The third subprogram involves investigations of signal transduction mechanisms involving hormones and/or growth factors thought to play a role in either the pathogenesis or pathophysiology of insulin resistance, or the chronic complications associated with diabetes mellitus.
Program members:
John Baxter
Jeffrey Bluestone
David Pearce
Bruce Conklin
Shaun Coughlin
Robert Fletterick
David Gardner
Ira Goldfine
Carl Grunfeld
Cynthia Kenyon
Theodore Kurtz
Peter Kushner
Stephen Rosenthal
Fred Schaufele
David Stokoe
Arthur Weiss
Keith Yamamoto
Jack Youngren
