Researchers from Case Western Reserve University uncover the reason behind insulin dysfunction in type 2 diabetes, affecting over half a billion people worldwide.
Insulin, crucial for stable blood sugar, often loses its full effect in type 2 diabetes patients, leading to metabolic imbalances.
Scientists identify a novel enzyme, SCAN (SNO-CoA-assisted nitrosylase), which facilitates the attachment of nitric oxide (NO) to target proteins like insulin receptors.
Nitric oxide, previously associated with various health conditions, is now linked to aspects of the body's metabolism, shedding light on its role in diabetes.
In individuals with insulin resistance, SCAN activity is heightened, suggesting a potential mechanism for diabetes development.
In mouse models of diabetes, inhibiting SCAN enzyme activity prevented the manifestation of classic diabetes symptoms, hinting at its therapeutic potential.