Asprosin

Asprosin is a hormone that is produced by the white adipose tissue in the human body. It is a fasting-induced glucogenic protein hormone that is secreted into the bloodstream and targets the liver to stimulate glucose release into the bloodstream. Asprosin is a novel hormone that has been discovered recently and is still under extensive research for its potential roles and implications in various metabolic diseases and conditions.

Discovery

Asprosin was discovered by a team of researchers led by Dr. Atul Chopra at the Baylor College of Medicine in 2016. The discovery was made while studying a rare genetic disease called Nevin Pickworth syndrome, which is characterized by a lack of subcutaneous fat, extreme insulin sensitivity, and episodic postprandial hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia.

Structure and Function

Asprosin is a C-terminal cleavage product of the fibrillin-1 protein. It is a 140-amino acid long protein that is secreted by the white adipose tissue. The hormone acts on the liver to stimulate the release of glucose into the bloodstream. It does this by binding to a receptor on the liver cells and triggering a series of intracellular events that lead to the release of glucose.

Role in Metabolic Diseases

Recent studies have suggested that asprosin may play a role in various metabolic diseases. Elevated levels of asprosin have been found in individuals with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. This has led to the hypothesis that asprosin may be involved in the regulation of glucose homeostasis and could potentially be a target for therapeutic interventions in these diseases.

Future Research

Asprosin is a relatively new discovery in the field of endocrinology and its full potential is yet to be explored. Future research is expected to focus on understanding the exact mechanisms of asprosin action, its potential role in other metabolic diseases, and the possibility of developing asprosin-based therapies for metabolic diseases.