No stress – no diabetes
A group of scientists from the Max Planck University of Psychiatry in Munich managed to prove that a protein found in muscles can aggravate the course of diabetes mellitus. This finding will help to develop a new direction in the treatment of this disease.
Previously, it was proved that the protein FKBP51 is associated with depression and anxiety disorders, as it participates in the regulation of stress mechanisms. A violation of the balance in the work of this system can lead to the development of mental disorders.
In the new study, the authors discovered another role of this protein: it carries out a molecular link between the stress regulation system and metabolic processes in the body.
Protein FKBP51 triggers a cascade of signaling reactions in striated muscles, with excessive consumption of high–calorie food, this leads to a decrease in glucose tolerance - a key indicator of type 2 diabetes mellitus. An unbalanced diet with a predominance of fatty foods is stressful for the body. The accumulation of FKBP51 protein in the muscles leads to a decrease in the intake of glucose into the cells, as a result, diabetes mellitus and obesity develop.
In a study on mouse models, with suppression of FKBP51 protein synthesis, diabetes mellitus does not develop even with an unbalanced diet and the body being under stress, glucose is absorbed by cells, metabolism is normalized.
The FKBP51 protein antagonist can be used to treat diabetes mellitus. It was developed by scientists from the University of Darmstadt in collaboration with the staff of the Technical University of Darmstadt. The drug is being prepared for clinical trials, in the future it may become the basis for a new approach to the treatment of type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders.
Article by Georgia Balsevich et al. Stress-responsive FKBP51 regulates AKT2-AS160 signaling and metabolic function published in the journal Nature Communications.
Aminat Adzhieva, portal "Eternal Youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of Max-Planck-Gesellschaft: Anti-stress compound reduces obesity and diabetes.