In a remarkable scientific achievement, a team of Chinese molecular biologists has revealed the development of a short protein molecule capable of enhancing cells’ response to insulin, opening promising prospects in the treatment of diabetes.
This molecule, called “Aap2,” is designed to mimic the positive effects of the “ATG7” protein, known for its role in regulating metabolic processes and cells’ sensitivity to insulin.
A study published in the journal “PNAS” showed that administering this molecule to mice helped protect them from developing both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
The researchers confirmed that “Aap2” succeeded in improving blood glucose levels by enhancing the liver’s ability to absorb it, thereby preventing the development of insulin resistance, the main feature of the disease.
The Role of Autophagy
This research was led by Professor Cao Liu from China Medical University, in collaboration with scientists from Japan and Europe.
The study focused on understanding the relationship between disturbances in the process of autophagy, a cellular mechanism for disposing of damaged proteins and waste, and the development of diabetes.
Experiments showed that injecting insulin into healthy mice activated the genes responsible for producing the “ATG7” protein, which contributed to storing nutrients in the liver and consuming them in the muscles, illustrating the pivotal role of the protein in the metabolic process.
Careful monitoring showed that the “ATG7” protein is produced in muscle cells in response to insulin and then transported to the liver to enhance glucose uptake from the blood.
However, with the development of diabetes, the metabolism of this protein slows down, reducing the effectiveness of insulin and leading to metabolic imbalance.
Therapeutic Prospects
The results achieved by the new molecule enhance hopes for developing innovative treatments that directly target insulin resistance, which could bring about a radical transformation in the way this disease is handled.
This discovery gains significant importance given that approximately 830 million people worldwide suffer from both types of diabetes, according to data from the World Health Organization.
