Adiponectin

Literature References: Adipocyte hormone involved in glucose and lipid homeostasis. Consists of an N-terminal collagenous domain and a C-terminal globular domain with sequence homology to complement factor C1q. One of the most abundant proteins in human plasma, ranging from 0.5-30mg/ml; levels are reduced in diabetes and obesity. Discovery in murine adipocytes: P. E. Scherer et al., J. Biol. Chem. 270, 26746 (1995); in human adipose tissue: K. Maeda et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 221, 286 (1996). Isolation and characterization from human plasma: Y. Nakano et al., J. Biochem. (Tokyo) 120, 803 (1996). Review of structure and physiology: T.-S. Tsao et al., Eur. J. Pharmacol. 440, 213-221 (2002); of anti-inflammatory and atheroprotective effects in vascular tissue: B. J. Goldstein, R. Scalia, J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 89, 2563-2568 (2004); of role in insulin resistance: M. Haluzík et al., Physiol. Res. 53, 123-129 (2004).