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Identification and characterization of adipose surface epitopes.
Yasuhiro Onogi1,2, Ahmed Elagamy Mohamed Mahmoud Khalil1,2, Siegfried Ussar1,2,3
1RG Adipocytes and Metabolism, Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Diabetes Center, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health GmbH, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany.
The Biochemical Journal
|July 11, 2020
Summary
Targeting cell surface proteins in adipose tissue offers a promising strategy for treating metabolic disorders like obesity. Researchers are exploring unique protein epitopes created by modifications to safely target these cells.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic research
- Pharmacology
- Cell biology
Background:
- Adipose tissue regulates metabolism and is a key target for obesity-related conditions like insulin resistance and dyslipidemia.
- Adipocyte cell surface proteins are attractive drug targets due to their accessibility and role in metabolic health.
- Current challenges include a lack of adipose-selective surface proteins and potential off-target effects due to protein functions in other tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the complexity of targeting adipocyte cell surface proteins.
- To discuss receptor families involved in adipogenesis and mature adipocytes.
- To explore strategies for identifying and targeting unique cell surface epitopes in adipocytes.
Main Methods:
- Review of receptor families in adipogenesis and mature adipocytes.
- Discussion of protein diversity through splicing, posttranslational modifications, and protein interactions.
- Exploration of methods for identifying and targeting selective cell surface epitopes.
Main Results:
- Adipocyte cell surface proteins play crucial roles in metabolism and insulin sensitivity.
- Identifying adipose-selective surface proteins is challenging due to shared protein functions.
- Protein diversity through modifications and interactions creates potential unique epitopes.
Conclusions:
- While unique adipocyte surface proteins may not exist, modifications and interactions create diverse, targetable epitopes.
- Strategies focusing on these unique epitopes can overcome challenges in targeting adipocytes.
- This approach holds potential for developing safer and more effective therapies for metabolic diseases.
