Will Sestrin help in the treatment of diabetes?

A new target for diabetes control is a protein associated with aging

LifeSciencesToday based on materials from Indiana University School of Medicine –
IU researchers: Protein linked to aging identified as new target for controlling diabetesScientists from the Indiana University School of Medicine have identified a small protein that plays an important role in lowering plasma glucose levels and increasing insulin sensitivity.

Their study is published in the journal Diabetes, a publication of the American Diabetes Association (Tao et al., Sestrin 3 Protein Enhances Hepatic Insulin Sensitivity by Direct Activation of the mTORC2-Akt Signaling).

Protein Sestrin 3, fluorescent red and shown reacting with other liver proteins (yellow),
It can play a significant role in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
(Photo: Indiana University)

Researchers describe the protein Sestrin 3 as a factor that plays an important role in regulating molecular pathways that control glucose production and the sensitivity of the liver to insulin, which makes it a potential target of drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, leading to high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels and insulin resistance.

Sestrin 3 is a member of a small family of proteins whose properties to suppress oxidative stress and regulate normal cellular activity have long been known to scientists. This makes Sestrin 3 an important regulator of metabolic homeostasis.

Study leader Charlie Dong, PhD, associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, and his colleagues monitored blood glucose levels and liver sensitivity to insulin in mice with endogenous Sestrin 3 and in genetically modified mice unable to synthesize this protein.

To study the regulatory effects of Sestrin 3, the animals were fed food with 18 percent of calories contained in fats, or food with a high fat content (60 percent of calories). Mice without Sestrin 3 had elevated fasting glucose levels, which is evidence of impaired liver sensitivity to insulin or poorly regulated glucose metabolism. The results of tests for insulin and glucose tolerance were significantly better in mice with Sestrin 3, which allowed the researchers to conclude that Sestrin 3 plays an important role in the sensitivity of the liver to insulin and in glucose metabolism.

"We wanted to show that Sestrin 3 performs the most important liver–specific functions," says Dr. Dong. "It's just an amazing protein. It is not very large, but dynamically functions as a control factor over glucose production and insulin sensitivity. It is an important regulator of glucose homeostasis."

In his opinion, these data may be essential for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and the Sestrin 3 protein may be a useful target for changing insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis, as well as a target of drugs to increase liver function in order to prevent diabetes.

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