Mechanisms of disease: Ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase phosphodiesterase 1 as a 'gatekeeper' of insulin receptors

Nicola Abate, Manisha Chandalia, Rosa Di Paola, Daniel W. Foster, Scott M. Grundy, Vincenzo Trischitta

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

50 Scopus citations

Abstract

Insulin resistance is pathogenic for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Several inhibitors of insulin signaling have a role in human insulin resistance. The transmembrane glycoprotein ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase phosphodiesterase 1 (E-NPP1; also known as plasma cell membrane glycoprotein PC-1) interacts with the insulin receptor and inhibits subsequent signaling by decreasing its Β-subunit autophosphorylation. E-NPP1 is overexpressed in skeletal muscle, adipose tissue and cultured skin fibroblasts of insulin-resistant individuals who are not yet obese or diabetic, which indicates that excessive E-NPP1 expression is an early, intrinsic defect in human insulin resistance. Genetic studies also support a primary role of E-NPP1 in insulin resistance. Among other variants, a missense polymorphism, Lys121Gln, has been described.The Gln121 variant is a stronger inhibitor than Lys121 of insulin receptor function, and is associated with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and both cardiovascular and nephrovascular complications in diabetic patients. E-NPP1 is measurable in human serum, where it might represent a valuable biomarker of insulin resistance, but its relationship to tissue and systemic insulin resistance remains to be thoroughly elucidated. Understanding the mechanisms that regulate E-NPP1 expression and/or function might render this protein a new target for strategies to treat and prevent type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)694-701
Number of pages8
JournalNature Clinical Practice Endocrinology and Metabolism
Volume2
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 27 2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • E-NPP1
  • Genetics
  • Insulin receptor
  • Insulin resistance
  • PC-1

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Endocrinology

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