Potential Novel Drug Target to Treat Type 2 Diabetes

Identification of a new protein that regulates insulin sensitivity and fat accumulation in type 2 diabetes.

FDA-approved diabetes drugs

For type 2 diabetes patients who are obese, dealing with insulin resistance and the buildup of fat can be quite a pain. It would certainy help to find that magic drug that can target both these problems at once. To do so, it helps to find out what regulates insulin resistance and fat accumulation.

“A recently published study in the Journal of Clinical Investigation has identified a protein called MondoA that appears to play an important role in insulin resistance and the accumulation of fat.” 

Through investigative research, Dr. Daniel P. Kelly and his group at the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute (SBP) have zeroed in on MondoA.

What is so special about MondoA? Well, MondoA appears to regulate the pathway involved in insulin resistance. Which means, MondoA seems to be a culprit in the development of type 2 diabetes.

Obesity gives rise to insulin resistance and fat accumulation. The researchers noted that when the expression of MondoA was reduced, there was increased sensitivity to insulin.

The idea behind this discovery is that drugs may be synthesized to target and reduce the expression of MondoA. By decreasing the levels of MondoA, the insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes patients may be regulated.

This finding is still in its nascent stage and more confirmatory evidence is required before a suitable drug is marketed clinically. If successful, the drug may be able to target type 2 diabetes and obesity in one shot.