Metabolism and homeostasis in the kidney: metabolic regulation through insulin signaling in the kidney

Metabolic signaling pathways orchestrate the dynamic turnover between catabolic and anabolic processes. Thereby, they ensure the viability of the cell and assure proper function of the tissue in changing environments regarding the availability of nutrients. Yet, renal cells are not considered to be prime targets of metabolic signaling. Research of the last decade has proposed new roles of specifically altered metabolic signaling pathways. In particular, the insulin signaling cascade, a potent regulator of cellular metabolism and energy homeostasis, seems to be implicated in the progression of diabetic and non-diabetic kidney disease. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on metabolic signaling events in different renal compartments in states of health and disease. We will focus on the role of insulin signaling events and highlight recent advances in the understanding of the regulatory interplay between insulin signaling and mitochondrial function contributing to the pathogenesis of kidney disease.