New molecular study reveals diabetes and obesity insights

A new study has revealed insights into the functions of a molecule that plays an important role in insulin's regulation of glucose uptake in fat and muscle cells.

The Wayne State University-led team has implicated the conserved phospholipid enzyme PIKfyve in the insulin-regulated glucose transport activation process, resulting in the development of a unique mouse model with PIKfyve removed from muscle tissue.

These animals experienced glucose intolerance and insulin resistance at an early age and on a normal diet, resulting in increased fat and elevated levels of insulin – typical features of human prediabetes.

Now that these processes are understood more clearly, scientists could use these findings as a basis for developing new diabetes and obesity therapies.

Dr Assia Shisheva, professor of physiology at Wayne State University's School of Medicine, said: "Our mouse model, in addition to providing novel mechanisms of insulin resistance, represents a valuable tool for exploring new preclinical strategies to improve treatments in individuals with prediabetes."

In the UK, it is estimated that around 2.9 million people suffer from diabetes, with the type 2 variant being commonly associated with obesity.