Final answer:
Acanthosis nigricans is highly associated with insulin resistance and can be indicative of serious health conditions like diabetes or genetic syndromes involving mutations in the INSR gene, such as Donohue syndrome and Rabson-Mendenhall syndrome.
Step-by-step explanation:
Acanthosis nigricans is highly associated with insulin resistance and can be a sign of more serious underlying conditions such as diabetes and obesity. Moreover, it is linked with genetic disorders, including mutations in the INSR gene, which can cause syndromes like Donohue syndrome or Leprechaunism, and Rabson-Mendenhall syndrome. Both syndromes result in significant physiological abnormalities, diabetes symptoms, and skin changes like acanthosis nigricans but vary in severity.
Patients with Donohue syndrome often have distinct facial features and severe growth, and unfortunately, have a poor prognosis with death commonly occurring within the first year of life. In contrast, Rabson-Mendenhall syndrome is less severe, but patients still experience abnormal physical features and significant dental issues along with metabolic challenges. Both conditions involve extreme fluctuations in glucose levels, portraying the profound impact of insulin signaling on multiple body systems.