α-Lipoic Acid as a Directly Binding Activator of the Insulin Receptor: Protection from Hepatocyte Apoptosis

Abstract

Alpha-lipoic acid mediates its antiapoptotic action via activation of the insulin receptor/PI3-kinase/Akt pathway. We show for the first time a direct binding site for alpha-lipoic acid at the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase domain, which might make alpha-lipoic acid a model substance for the development of insulin mimetics.