Author: Cianflone, K.

Source: Current Pharmaceutical Design, Volume 9, Number 17, July 2003 , pp. 1397-1410(14)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Abstract:

Triacylglycerol storage in adipose tissue is mediated by a host of transporters, enzymes and binding proteins. Additionally, several hormones (both autocrine and endocrine) are known to interact with cell surface receptors and modulate triacylglycerol synthesis (such as acylation stimulating protein, ASP). The many proteins involved contribute to the robustness of the system and, in most cases, deletion of a single gene is not deleterious and adipose tissue is preserved.

On the other hand, this does not mean that gene disruption is not without effect, and in fact often results in a leaner, and presumably “healthier” mouse. These insights provide valuable indications for potential drug tools to delay and/or reverse obesity.

In this review we examine the potential of ASP as a candidate target. ASP deficiency in mice decreases adipose tissue mass, increases insulin sensitivity and energy expenditure even in obese ob / ob mice, suggesting that partial interference of ASP action could be advantageous. ASP interacts with a specific cell surface receptor present in adipose tissue and certain structural components, such as the tightly folded core region, are implicated in activity. We propose that interference of the ASP-receptor interaction using an antagonist offers future prospect for an anti-obesity target.

Keywords: adipose tissue; knockout mice; c3adesarg; energy expenditure; insulin sensitivity

Document Type: Review article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612033454784

Publication date: 2003-07-01

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• Current Pharmaceutical Design publishes timely in-depth reviews covering all aspects of current research in rational drug design. Each issue is devoted to a single major therapeutic area. A Guest Editor who is an acknowledged authority in a therapeutic field has solicits for each issue comprehensive and timely reviews from leading researchers in the pharmaceutical industry and academia.
  
  Each thematic issue of Current Pharmaceutical Design covers all subject areas of major importance to modern drug design, including: medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, drug targets and disease mechanism.

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