Scientists find new protein which links obesity to diabetes
Published on Jun 30, 2014 12:32 PM
SINGAPORE - Scientists from the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), have discovered that obese individuals lack a protein essential for regulating blood glucose levels, causing a higher risk of diabetes.
The protein is one of the first molecular links found between obesity and diabetes, the researchers said. It is potentially a target for the treatment or prevention of diabetes in those who are obese.
Called Nuclear Ubiquitous casein and Cyclin-dependent Kinase Substrate (Nucks), it plays a key role in insulin signalling. Without this protein, obese individuals develop insulin resistance and are unable to regulate their blood glucose levels properly. This causes their bodies to constantly experience high levels of blood glucose, making them more susceptible to diabetes.
This finding could lead to the development of new drugs to restore the level of the protein in the body.
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