Advantages
- Endogenous secreted protein that activates brown adipocytes and promotes the differentiation of white adipocytes into beige adipocytes (a.k.a. beige-ization).
- The protein has been clinically applied as a therapeutic drug for other diseases.
- There is a possibility of developing small molecule compounds that can replace the protein based on the target mechanism.
Technology Overview & Background
Obesity and type 2 diabetes are caused by adipocyte insulin resistance, which underlies the age-related regression of energy-consuming brown fat. The researcher discovered a phenomenon in which brown fat atrophies in IR/IGF1R-inducible DKO mice (published in 2017) in which insulin signals are not transduced at all, but then recovers.
Inspired by this, he analyzed factors involved in brown adipocyte regeneration by serum proteomics and identified secretory proteins. The protein was found to promote brown adipocyte activation and white adipocyte beige-ization through the activation of adipocyte mitochondria. It was also suggested that the same protein acts on adipocytes via receptors.
The protein has been clinically applied as a therapeutic agent for another disease, and further development of modified forms, etc., is ongoing.
Data
- In animal experiments using mice, overexpression of the protein resulted in high improvement of glucose tolerance and insulin resistance (upper figure), increased UCP1 in brown adipose tissue (lower figure) and thermogenesis, enhanced beige coloration of white adipocytes, and improved cold tolerance.
- KO mice of the same protein showed impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance, and decreased cold tolerance.
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Patents
Applied in Japan. Currently considering filing a PCT application.
Researchers & Academic Institution
Masaji Sakaguchi, MD, PhD (Assistant Professor, Kumamoto University, Japan), et al.
Development Stage
- In animal experiments on mice, the anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects of overexpression of the protein have already been confirmed.
Further Details
CDA and/or MTA with Kumamoto University are available.
Expectations
Tech Manage Corp. is now looking for partner companies to collaborate on R&D for practical application of this technology.
Project No: JT-04294