Arya S, Gourley AJ, Penedo JC, Blindauer CA, Stewart AJ. Fatty acids may influence insulin dynamics through modulation of albumin-Zn
2+ interactions.
Bioessays 2021;
43:e2100172. [PMID:
34725844 DOI:
10.1002/bies.202100172]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Insulin is stored within the pancreas in an inactive Zn2+ -bound hexameric form prior to release. Similarly, clinical insulins contain Zn2+ and form multimeric complexes. Upon release from the pancreas or upon injection, insulin only becomes active once Zn2+ disengages from the complex. In plasma and other extracellular fluids, the majority of Zn2+ is bound to human serum albumin (HSA), which plays a vital role in controlling insulin pharmacodynamics by enabling removal of Zn2+ . The Zn2+ -binding properties of HSA are attenuated by non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) also transported by HSA. Elevated NEFA concentrations are associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Here we present the hypothesis that higher NEFA levels in obese and/or diabetic individuals may contribute to insulin resistance and affect therapeutic insulin dose-response profiles, through modulation of HSA/Zn2+ dynamics. We envisage this novel concept to have important implications for personalized treatments and management of diabetes-related conditions in the future.
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