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Isthmin 1 — a novel insulin-like adipokine

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A new paper reports that the protein isthmin 1 is secreted by mature adipocytes and triggers a signalling cascade similar to that of insulin. The novel adipokine acts through an unidentified receptor tyrosine kinase and, at pharmacological doses in mice, isthmin 1 ameliorates metabolic disturbances associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus, including hyperglycaemia and liver steatosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany

    Joerg Heeren & Ludger Scheja

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  1. Joerg Heeren
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  2. Ludger Scheja
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Correspondence to Ludger Scheja.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Heeren, J., Scheja, L. Isthmin 1 — a novel insulin-like adipokine. Nat Rev Endocrinol 17, 709–710 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41574-021-00569-z

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