The present invention relates to a method of modulating insulin signaling in a cell. This method involves modifying the nuclear or cellular concentration of biliverdin reductase, or fragments or variants thereof, in a cell, whereby a change in nuclear or cellular concentration of biliverdin reductase, or fragments or variants thereof, modulates insulin signaling in the cell via biliverdin reductase interaction with one or both of insulin receptor kinase domain and insulin receptor substrate. Also disclosed are methods of treating a condition associated with insulin signaling and treating a patient for a condition associated with insulin-mediated glucose uptake.