Evidence that alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide is a neurohormone that controls systemic lipid availability and utilization.

Alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide (alphaCGRP) is released mainly from sensory and motor nerves in response to physiological stimuli. Despite well-documented pharmacological effects, its primary physiological role has thus far remained obscure. Increased lipid content, particularly in skeletal muscle and liver, is strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance, but the physiological regulation of organ lipid is imperfectly understood.

Proteomic characterization of human serum proteins associated with the fat-derived hormone adiponectin.

Adiponectin is a fat cell-secreted hormone with antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities. The reduced adiponectin levels are associated with obesity-related metabolic syndrome. Replenishment of this hormone into animal models can improve insulin sensitivity, decrease blood glucose and lipid levels, and prevent the development of atherosclerosis and fatty liver injury.

Adiponectin inhibits cell proliferation by interacting with several growth factors in an oligomerization-dependent manner.

Adiponectin, an adipocyte-specific secretory protein, is present in serum as three oligomeric complexes. Apart from its roles as an anti-diabetic and anti-atherogenic hormone, adiponectin has been implicated as an important regulator of cell growth and tissue remodeling. Here we show that some of these functions might be mediated by the specific interactions of adiponectin with several important growth factors.

The fat-derived hormone adiponectin alleviates alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases in mice.

Adiponectin has recently been shown to be a promising candidate for the treatment of obesity-associated metabolic syndromes. Replenishment of recombinant adiponectin in mice can decrease hyperglycemia, reverse insulin resistance, and cause sustained weight loss without affecting food intake. Here we report its potential roles in alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases in mice.

Identification of novel putative membrane proteins selectively expressed during adipose conversion of 3T3-L1 cells.

Fat tissue plays a critical role in the regulation of energy metabolism. Here we report the proteomic identification of a novel _fa_t tissue-specific _l_ow molecular weight _p_rotein (Falp) which responds to insulin. Falp is preferentially expressed in adipocytes but not in preadipocytes, as shown by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.

Hydroxylation and glycosylation of the four conserved lysine residues in the collagenous domain of adiponectin. Potential role in the modulation of its insulin-sensitizing activity.

It has recently been shown that the fat-derived hormone adiponectin has the ability to decrease hyperglycemia and to reverse insulin resistance. However, bacterially produced full-length adiponectin is functionally inactive. Here, we show that endogenous adiponectin secreted by adipocytes is post-translationally modified into eight different isoforms, as shown by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.