Question

how does Insulin bind to target tissues in an individual with type 2 diabetes?

Answer 1

In general, Insulin binds to the receptor protein on the cell surface and hence instructs the cell to take up glucose from the blood. An insulin receptor has two isoforms out of which Ex11 (-) has higher affinity as compared to Ex11(+)

In diabetes II, affinity of Ex11(+) reduces more as compared to normal conditions due to which there is abundance of other form of insulin. This imbalance leads to insulin resistance in type II diabetes. There is also abundance of hybrid receptors in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue of type 2 diabetic patients that causes non-binding of insulin to the receptor protein.