 |
|
New Joslin Research Identifies Sirtuin Protein Instrumental in Fat Production and Metabolism
August 16, 2007A new Joslin Diabetes Center-led study has identified a protein found in fat cells that may play a major role in how fat is produced and stored, offering a new target for treatments to prevent obesity and reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes. This latest research appears in the August 2007 issue of Cell Metabolism.
The study examined the role of a protein called Sirt2, a member of the sirtuin family of seven cellular proteins. These proteins have recently been shown to be important in the control of aging and metabolism. Previous studies have focused on one member of this family, Sirt1, which is activated by high doses of resveratrol, a substance found in red grapes, which can prevent diabetes from developing and also prolong life. This finding generated tremendous attention, leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to begin developing drugs and supplements to harness this effect. Joslin researchers have focused on other sirtuin proteins to find out what role they might play in fat and glucose metabolism and fat development.
This led to the discovery that Sirt2 is the most abundant of the sirtuins in fat cells, expressed in quantities five to ten times higher than other sirtuin proteins. "We wanted to find out what would happen to the behavior of fat cells--in terms of metabolism or growth--if we changed the levels of Sirt2," said lead investigator C. Ronald Kahn, M.D., an internationally recognized researcher who is head of the Joslin section on Obesity and Hormone Action and the Mary K. Iacocca Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.
When a person gains weight, cells in connective tissue known as pre-adipocytes differentiate and fill with fat and form adipocytes, which are able to store fat as a potential energy source when food is not available. However, too much fat storage leads to obesity and obesity-related diseases, including type 2 diabetes.
Using genetically altered cells from mice, the Joslin researchers were able to manipulate Sirt2 levels in adipocytes. They found that increasing Sirt2 levels in the cell would block the cell's ability to undergo differentiation and store fat, while reducing Sirt2 would promote adiopogenesis, or fat production. They then went on to pinpoint exactly how Sirt2 produced these effects by interacting with and modifying one of the key transcription factors, or molecular switches, regulating fat differentiation and function, a molecule called FoxO1. FoxO1 is also an important target of insulin action in fat where it helps control the aging process.
Thus, when Sirt2 levels in pre-adipocytes are low, more fat cells develop, while when Sirt2 levels are high, this process is blocked. "So, to reduce the amount of fat in the body and help people stay thin, we need to find an activator of Sirt2," said Kahn.
The discovery of Sirt2's role in fat production gives researchers a new avenue to pursue in preventing and treating obesity. "Since most of the diabetes epidemic is driven by obesity, Sirt2 may also play a role in preventing type 2 diabetes from developing and in treating people who have already developed the disease," said Kahn.
This is an important goal since more than 60 percent of Americans are now overweight or obese, and obesity is a major factor driving the current epidemic of type 2 diabetes, which now affects more than 20 million people in the U.S. alone.
The next step in the research process will be to create an animal model to validate the results. Once they are confirmed, biotechnology companies can try to develop drugs that would activate Sirt2 in fat cells and provide another tool for combating obesity and diabetes.
Funding for the study was provided by the National Institutes of Health.
Other researchers participating in this study include: Enxuan Jing, Ph.D., and Stephane Gesta, Ph.D., of Joslin Diabetes Center.
Joslin Diabetes Center
When a person gains weight, cells in connective tissue known as pre-adipocytes differentiate and fill with fat and form adipocytes, which are able to store fat as a potential energy source when food is not available. However, too much fat storage leads to obesity and obesity-related diseases, including type 2 diabetes.
Using genetically altered cells from mice, the Joslin researchers were able to manipulate Sirt2 levels in adipocytes. They found that increasing Sirt2 levels in the cell would block the cell's ability to undergo differentiation and store fat, while reducing Sirt2 would promote adiopogenesis, or fat production. They then went on to pinpoint exactly how Sirt2 produced these effects by interacting with and modifying one of the key transcription factors, or molecular switches, regulating fat differentiation and function, a molecule called FoxO1. FoxO1 is also an important target of insulin action in fat where it helps control the aging process.
Thus, when Sirt2 levels in pre-adipocytes are low, more fat cells develop, while when Sirt2 levels are high, this process is blocked. "So, to reduce the amount of fat in the body and help people stay thin, we need to find an activator of Sirt2," said Kahn.
The discovery of Sirt2's role in fat production gives researchers a new avenue to pursue in preventing and treating obesity. "Since most of the diabetes epidemic is driven by obesity, Sirt2 may also play a role in preventing type 2 diabetes from developing and in treating people who have already developed the disease," said Kahn.
This is an important goal since more than 60 percent of Americans are now overweight or obese, and obesity is a major factor driving the current epidemic of type 2 diabetes, which now affects more than 20 million people in the U.S. alone.
The next step in the research process will be to create an animal model to validate the results. Once they are confirmed, biotechnology companies can try to develop drugs that would activate Sirt2 in fat cells and provide another tool for combating obesity and diabetes.
Funding for the study was provided by the National Institutes of Health.
Other researchers participating in this study include: Enxuan Jing, Ph.D., and Stephane Gesta, Ph.D., of Joslin Diabetes Center.
Joslin Diabetes Center
Diabetes Current Events and Diabetes News RSSPure insulin-producing cells produced in mouse
Singapore researchers have developed an unlimited number of pure insulin-producing cells from mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs).
Researcher tricks immune system in diabetic mice
The body's immune system hates strangers. When its security patrol spots a foreign cell, it annihilates it.
Systems biology brings hope of speeding up drug development
Almost every day brings news of an apparent breakthrough against cancer, infectious diseases, or metabolic conditions like diabetes, but these rarely translate into effective therapies or drugs, and even if they do clinical development usually takes well over a decade.
Garlic chemical tablet treats diabetes I and II
A drug based on a chemical found in garlic can treat diabetes types I and II when taken as a tablet, a study in the new Royal Society of Chemistry journal Metallomics says.
Very low birth weight is a risk factor for 1 cause of CKD
Individuals who were underweight at birth are at increased risk of developing a condition called secondary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, according to a study appearing in the January 2009 issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology (CJASN).
New insight into the controls on a go-to enzyme
Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have gained new insights into regulation of one of the body's enzyme workhorses called calpains.
Survival of head and neck cancer patients is greatly affected by coexisting ailments
Current estimates for head and neck cancer survival are largely inaccurate because they widely disregard many of the most common diseases such patients have in addition to their primary cancer, says Jay Piccirillo, M.D., a head and neck specialist at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, the Siteman Cancer Center and Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
JDRF funded research shows promise for prevention, reversal of type 1 diabetes
Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco have reported that two common cancer drugs have been used to block and reverse type 1 diabetes in mice.
New imaging technique tracks cancer-killing cells over prolonged period
Coaxing a patient's own cells to hunt down and tackle infected or diseased cells is a promising therapeutic approach for many disorders.
Vitamin C lowers levels of heart disease biomarker, finds study, adds to debate of health benefits
A new study led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, adds to the evidence that vitamin C supplements can lower concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), a central biomarker of inflammation that has been shown to be a powerful predictor of heart disease and diabetes.
More Diabetes Current Events and Diabetes News Articles
 | Diabetes For Dummies (For Dummies (Health & Fitness)) by Alan L., MD Rubin Covers the latest glucose meters and insulin treatments The straight facts on treating diabetes successfully and living a full life Want to know how to manage diabetes? Leading diabetes expert Dr. Alan Rubin gives you reassuring, authoritative guidance in putting together a state-of-the-art treatment program. You'll learn about all the advances in monitoring glucose, the latest... |
 | The First Year: Type 2 Diabetes: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (First Year, The) by Gretchen Becker After Gretchen Becker was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1996, she educated herself on every aspect of this chronic condition — by reading medical and scientific books and journals, talking with doctors and listening to her own body. In 2001, she marshaled everything she had learned as a "patient-expert" into the first edition of this book, which she has now completely updated and revised.... |
 | Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution: The Complete Guide to Achieving Normal Blood Sugars by Richard K. Bernstein Since its first publication in 1997 Diabetes Solution has become the treatment of choice in the medical field in America. Dr Bernstein's ground-breaking approach to diabetes care enable patients to take control of their disease to live long and healthy lives by regulating their blood sugar without the usual swings. Dr Bernstein is living proof of the success of his method and in this revised and... |
 | The 30-Day Diabetes Miracle: Lifestyle Center of America's Complete Program to Stop Diabetes, Restore Health,and Build Natural Vitality by Franklin House, Stuart Seale, Ian Blake Newman A revolutionary program for combating and reversing diabetes. Over the past ten years, Lifestyle Center of America has emerged as the center in the country that offers a proven-successful program to combat diabetes-and even reverse its adverse effects on the body. Now available in book form for the first time, LCA's program enables individuals to actually get to the root of their problems by... |
 | The Official Pocket Guide to Diabetic Exchanges by American Diabetes Association Every day, every meal, millions and millions of people count on the world-famous "Exchange Lists for Meal Planning to make sure they're choosing the right kinds of foods and portion sizes from the various food groups. Now people with diabetes can take the "Exchange Lists with them to the grocery store or to restaurants with the "Official Pocket Guide to Diabetic Exchanges. Measuring just 3.5" x... |
 | The 4-Ingredient Diabetes Cookbook: Simple, Quick, and Delicious Recipes Using Just 4 Ingredients or Less by Nancy Hughes |
 | Reversing Diabetes: Reduce or Even Eliminate Your Dependence on Insulin or Oral Drugs by Julian Whitaker In a completely revised and updated edition of REVERSING DIABETES, Dr Julian Whitaker offers a comprehensive life-style programme that has helped more than 10,000 diabetic patients. The good news is that many diabetics can control their condition - naturally and effectively - with diet and exercise. Along with helping to reduce or even eliminate dependancy on medication, it can help diabetics... |
 | American Diabetes Association Complete Guide to Diabetes by American Diabetes Association The most complete self-care guide available from the leaders in diabetes informationThe most up-to-date information on:• New Diabetes Drugs and Insulin • Achieving Blood Sugar Control• Preventing Complications • Handling Emergencies • Testing • Using a Meter • Insulin Pumps• Nutrition • Exercise • Sexuality • Pregnancy • Insurance • And Much, Much MoreThe American... |
 | Diabetes & Heart Healthy Meals for Two by American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association Twice as tasty . . . but with half the ingredients! People with diabetes want heart-healthy recipes, since heart disease strikes people with diabetes twice as often as the rest of the population. But they also want recipes that taste great. In Diabetes & Heart Healthy Meals for Two, the two largest health associations in America team up to provide recipes that are simple, flavorful, and... |
 | The All-Natural Diabetes Cookbook by Jackie Newgent The All-Natural Diabetes Cookbook won the 2007 Gourmand Best in the World Award in the category of Best Health and Nutrition Cookbook The only whole food cookbook for people with diabetes—featuring 150 recipes Eating with diabetes means eating healthy. But many cookbooks for people with diabetes substitute artificial sweeteners and processed foods at the expense of great flavor. Now if... |
| © 2008 BrightSurf.com |