# Insulin/IGF-1 pathway

The insulin/IGF-1 pathway (often abbreviated IIS) is a conserved nutrient-sensing network in which insulin and IGF-1 bind tyrosine kinase receptors to activate PI3K, AKT, and mTOR while inhibiting FOXO. It coordinates glucose uptake, growth, and anabolic metabolism with nutrient availability. Loss-of-function mutations along this pathway dramatically extend lifespan in C. elegans (daf-2), Drosophila, and mice, establishing IIS as a foundational longevity pathway across the animal kingdom.

## Sources

- Kenyon C, Chang J, Gensch E, Rudner A, Tabtiang R. (1993). A C. elegans mutant that lives twice as long as wild type. Nature. https://doi.org/10.1038/366461a0
- Taguchi A, White MF. (2008). Insulin-like signaling, nutrient homeostasis, and life span. Annual Review of Physiology. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.physiol.70.113006.100533

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_Canonical: https://longevity-germany.com/en/glossary/insulin-igf-1-pathway · Part of Longevity Cities · Updated 2026-05-07_