Investigation of the incretin pathway in Maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) secondary to heterozygous hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 alpha (HNF1A) gene mutations

Dr Katarina Kos
 

SPARC (Secreted Protein, Acidic and Rich in Cysteine) is a protein produced in all tissues, but especially in body fat (adipose tissue). SPARC promotes scarring of fat tissue. Whilst fat tissue is progressively scarred in obesity, our latest findings show that SPARC levels are elevated in subjects with obesity as well as insulin resistance suggesting a key role of SPARC in linking obesity to the development of diabetes. Scarring restricts deposition of surplus dietary fats which are in the circulation in the form of lipid into fat tissue. These surplus lipids are subsequently diverted to pathological lipid deposits in inner organs leading to obesity related complications, insulin resistance and eventually to Type 2 diabetes. This project examines the existence of genetic SPARC variants with the aim to identify a form of SPARC which is at the same time genetically expressed in fat and blood cells and which may not only mirror SPARC’s regulation in fat tissue but relate to obesity related complications and diabetes. This will subsequently allow analyses of data from epidemiological cohorts derived from blood samples rather than fat tissue. The investigators hope to identify SPARC variants which are suitable new risk markers and which may lend itself as a new therapeutic target.

Källa: http://www.drwf.org.uk/Research/FundedResearch/tabid/358/ItemId/90/Default.aspx