Relevance: Mains: G.S paper III: Science and technology
Why in news?
- Scientists at the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad have demonstrated the role of a protein secretagogin (SCGN) in increasing insulin action in obesity-induced diabetes. These findings were published in the latest issue of the journal iScience.
Key highlights:
- Secretagogin is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SCGN gene. The encoded protein is a secreted calcium-binding protein which is found in the cytoplasm.
- CCMB said that the findings established SCGN as a functional insulin-binding protein with therapeutic potential against diabetes.
- They show that SCGN binds to insulin and protects it from various stresses, increases its stability and adds to its action. It said various kinds of cellular stresses can result in loss of structure and function of insulin, ultimately leading to diabetes.
- The scientists have shown injection of SCGN (found at lower levels in diabetic patients) in obese diabetic mice clears excess insulin from circulation and reduces fat mass.
- The Researchers said that SCGN would soon become a diagnostic marker, and one should check its potential in diabetes management.