Adipose tissue-derived FABP4 mediates glucagon-stimulated hepatic glucose production in gestational diabetes.

Aims: One of the most common complications of pregnancy is gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which may result in significant health threats of the mother, fetus and the newborn. Fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) is an adipokine that regulates glucose homeostasis by promoting glucose production and liver insulin resistance in mouse models. FABP4 levels are increased in GDM and correlates with maternal indices of insulin resistance, with a rapid decline post-partum.

Inhibition of the Aggregation and Toxicity of the Minimal Amyloidogenic Fragment of Tau by Its Pro-Substituted Analogues.

Inhibiting the toxic aggregation of amyloid-β and the tau protein, the key pathological agents involved in Alzheimer's, is a leading approach in modulating disease progression. Using an aggregative tau-derived model peptide, Ac-PHF6-NH , the substitution of its amino acids with proline, a known efficient β-breaker, is shown to reduce self-assembly. This effect is attributed to the steric hindrance created by the proline substitution, which results in disruption of the β-sheet formation process.