A new target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes

NanoNewsNet based on the materials of the University of Montreal:
Researchers discover a novel drug target linked to insulin secretion and type 2 diabetes treatmentThe signal that promotes insulin secretion and reduces hyperglycemia in animals with a type 2 diabetes model is enhanced by inhibition of a new enzyme discovered by scientists of the Research Center of the Medical Center of the University of Montreal (Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Universite de Montreal) and the University of Montreal (Universite de Montreal).

The article by Canadian researchers was published in the journal Cell Metabolism (Zhao et al., a/b-Hydrolase Domain-6-Accessible Monoacylglycerol Controls Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion).

Insulin is the most important hormone for our body: it controls the use of glucose and fats. Insufficient secretion of insulin by beta cells of the pancreas and disruption of this process lead to the development of type 2 diabetes. The intake of insulin into the blood depends on the use of glucose and fats by beta cells themselves and on the synthesis of a new signal discovered by scientists - monoacylglycerol.

"Despite the active study of the mechanisms responsible for insulin secretion, the signaling molecules involved in this process were still unknown. Meanwhile, the identification of these signals is necessary for the development of more effective antidiabetic drugs," explains the significance of her work, Professor Marc Prentki of the University of Montreal, director of the Montreal Center for Diabetes Research (Centre de Recherche du Diabete de Montreal).

During the use of sugar by insulin-secreting beta cells of the pancreas, a fat–like signaling molecule, monoacylglycerol, is formed, and it is associated with insulin secretion. Professor Prentky and his colleagues found that the production of monoacylglycerol is vital for the glucose-stimulated release of insulin.

However, the main thing that the researchers managed to find out is that the enzyme alpha/beta hydrolase domain-6 (ABHD6) cleaves monoacylglycerol and, consequently, performs negative regulation of insulin release.

Diagram from an article in Cell Metabolism – VM

According to them, "the ideal drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes should increase the level of insulin in the blood, enhancing the response of beta cells to glucose only when its level is elevated, and also increase the sensitivity of tissues to insulin." This effect is achieved by inhibiting ABHD6, and thus scientists have found a new unique target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Now Professor Prentki and his group are searching for new powerful ABHD6 blockers that do not have undesirable toxic effects on the body, on the basis of which a drug could be created. This work is being carried out in collaboration with AmorChem Financial, Inc. and its subsidiary NuChem Therapeutics, Montreal.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru05.06.2014