PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Receptors, Adiponectin”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Genetic variation in adiponectin receptor 1 and adiponectin receptor 2 is associated with type 2 diabetes in the Old Order Amish.

Adiponectin receptor 1 (ADIPOR1) and adiponectin receptor 2 (ADIPOR2) are newly identified receptors for adiponectin, an adipocytokine with anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing properties. We screened for polymorphisms by performing sequence analysis on all eight exons, splice junctions, and approximately 2 kb of the 5' flanking regions of each receptor. We detected 5 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ADIPOR1 and 16 SNPs in ADIPOR2. We genotyped these SNPs in Amish subjects with type 2 diabetes (n = 137), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) (n = 139), and normal glucose tolerance (n = 342) to test for association with type 2 diabetes. Three intronic SNPs in ADIPOR1 were significantly associated with type 2 diabetes (P = 0.014-0.007; odds ratio [OR] 1.61-1.65) and in high linkage disequilibrium (r2 = 0.97-1.0). In ADIPOR2, we found that five SNPs delineated one large haplotype block (r2= 0.9-1.0) spanning >98 kb of the gene and promoter region, which was strongly associated with the combined type 2 diabetes/IGT trait (P < or = 0.001; OR 1.64-1.71). To our knowledge, these data provide the first evidence for association between variation in the adiponectin receptors and type 2 diabetes.

Aged↗

Insulin/Foxo1 pathway regulates expression levels of adiponectin receptors and adiponectin sensitivity.

Adiponectin/Acrp30 is a hormone secreted by adipocytes, which acts as an antidiabetic and antiatherogenic adipokine. We reported previously that AdipoR1 and -R2 serve as receptors for adiponectin and mediate increased fatty acid oxidation and glucose uptake by adiponectin. In the present study, we examined the expression levels and roles of AdipoR1/R2 in several physiological and pathophysiological states such as fasting/refeeding, obesity, and insulin resistance. Here we show that the expression of AdipoR1/R2 in insulin target organs, such as skeletal muscle and liver, is significantly increased in fasted mice and decreased in refed mice. Insulin deficiency induced by streptozotocin increased and insulin replenishment reduced the expression of AdipoR1/R2 in vivo. Thus, the expression of AdipoR1/R2 appears to be inversely correlated with plasma insulin levels in vivo. Interestingly, the incubation of hepatocytes or myocytes with insulin reduced the expression of AdipoR1/R2 via the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Foxo1-dependent pathway in vitro. Moreover, the expressions of AdipoR1/R2 in ob/ob mice were significantly decreased in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue, which was correlated with decreased adiponectin binding to membrane fractions of skeletal muscle and decreased AMP kinase activation by adiponectin. This adiponectin resistance in turn may play a role in worsening insulin resistance in ob/ob mice. In conclusion, the expression of AdipoR1/R2 appears to be inversely regulated by insulin in physiological and pathophysiological states such as fasting/refeeding, insulin deficiency, and hyper-insulinemia models via the insulin/phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Foxo1 pathway and is correlated with adiponectin sensitivity.

Adenoviridae↗

Changes in expression levels of genes involved in fatty acid metabolism: upregulation of all three members of the PPAR family (alpha, gamma, delta) and the newly described adiponectin receptor 2, but not adiponectin receptor 1 during neonatal cardiac development of the rat.

UNLABELLED: During neonatal cardiac development, the heart changes its substrate preference from glucose to fatty acids. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in mRNA expression levels of genes involved in the control of cardiac fatty acid metabolism in the transition from neonatal to adult life. METHODS: mRNA expression levels for peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) alpha, gamma and delta, PPARgamma co-factor 1 alpha and beta (PGC-1 alpha and beta), 9-cis retinoc-acid-activated receptor alpha, beta and gamma (RXR alpha, beta, gamma), 5'-AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK) alpha1 and alpha2, adiponectin receptor 1 and 2 (AR 1 and AR 2) were measured in heart tissue of neonatal 0-day, 7-day and 21- day old rats. RESULTS: mRNA expression of all three members of the PPAR family were upregulated significantly from day 0 to day 21 (alpha +117%, gamma +133%, delta +203%). In addition, m-RNA expression of all RXR isoforms increased from day 0 to day 7 (alpha +125%, beta +69%; gamma +41%). AR 2 exhibited a small but significant increase in mRNA expression (+ 46%). CONCLUSIONS: We were able to demonstrate for the first time that in addition to PPARalpha, also PPARgamma and delta, as well as all RXR isoforms and AR 2 are upregulated in the heart during neonatal development.

Animals↗

APPL1 binds to adiponectin receptors and mediates adiponectin signalling and function.

Adiponectin, also known as Acrp30, is an adipose tissue-derived hormone with anti-atherogenic, anti-diabetic and insulin sensitizing properties. Two seven-transmembrane domain-containing proteins, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2, have recently been identified as adiponectin receptors, yet signalling events downstream of these receptors remain poorly defined. By using the cytoplasmic domain of AdipoR1 as bait, we screened a yeast two-hybrid cDNA library derived from human fetal brain. This screening led to the identification of a phosphotyrosine binding domain and a pleckstrin homology domain-containing adaptor protein, APPL1 (adaptor protein containing pleckstrin homology domain, phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domain and leucine zipper motif). APPL1 interacts with adiponectin receptors in mammalian cells and the interaction is stimulated by adiponectin. Overexpression of APPL1 increases, and suppression of APPL1 level reduces, adiponectin signalling and adiponectin-mediated downstream events (such as lipid oxidation, glucose uptake and the membrane translocation of glucose transport 4 (GLUT4)). Adiponectin stimulates the interaction between APPL1 and Rab5 (a small GTPase) interaction, leading to increased GLUT4 membrane translocation. APPL1 also acts as a critical regulator of the crosstalk between adiponectin signalling and insulin signalling pathways. These results demonstrate a key function for APPL1 in adiponectin signalling and provide a molecular mechanism for the insulin sensitizing function of adiponectin.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Hyperglycemia- and hyperinsulinemia-induced alteration of adiponectin receptor expression and adiponectin effects in L6 myoblasts.

Adiponectin has been shown to regulate glucose and fatty acid uptake and metabolism in skeletal muscle. Here we investigated the role of the recently cloned adiponectin receptor (AdipoR) isoforms in mediating effects of both globular (gAd) and full-length (fAd) adiponectin, and their regulation by hyperglycemia (25 mM, 20 h) and hyperinsulinemia (100 nM, 20 h). We used L6 rat skeletal muscle cells, which were found to express both AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 mRNA in a ratio of over 6:1 respectively. Hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia both decreased AdipoR1 receptor expression by approximately 50%, while the latter induced an increase of approximately threefold in AdipoR2 expression. The ability of gAd to increase GLUT4 myc translocation, glucose uptake, fatty acid uptake and oxidation, as well as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) phosphorylation, was decreased by both hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. Interestingly, hyperinsulinemia induced the ability of fAd to elicit fatty acid uptake and enhanced fatty acid oxidation in response to fAd. In summary, our results suggest that both hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia cause gAd resistance in rat skeletal muscle cells. However, hyperinsulinemia induces a switch toward increased fAd sensitivity in these cells.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinases↗

Cloning, expression and chromosome localization of porcine adiponectin and adiponectin receptors genes.

Adiponectin is a cytokine secreted specifically by adipocytes that has been proposed to enhance insulin sensitivity and prevent atherosclerosis. Adiponectin receptors (adipoR1 and adipoR2) are recently found in mice which act as receptors for globular and full-length adiponectin to mediate the fatty-acid oxidation and glucose uptake in muscle and liver. The primary goal of this study was to examine chromosome localization of porcine adiponectin and adiponectin receptors and the gene expression pattern in various tissues of pigs of the three genes. Radiation hybrid mapping demonstrated that porcine adiponectin, adipoR1 and adipoR2 were located to chromosome13q36-41, 10p11 and 5q25, in the regions that were syntenic to the homologs of human genes, respectively. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that porcine adiponectin mRNA was specifically expressed in adipose tissue and porcine adipoR1 and adipoR2 mRNA were ubiquitously expressed in many tissues except brain. Comparison to adipoR2 mRNA which was highly expressed in liver, heart, kidney, adipose tissues and lung, adipoR1 mRNA was expressed at relatively high levels in porcine muscle, leukocytes and epididymis. Our data provide basic molecular information useful for the further investigation on the function of the three genes.

Adiponectin↗

Regulation of adiponectin receptor 1 in human hepatocytes by agonists of nuclear receptors.

The adiponectin receptors AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 have been identified to mediate the insulin-sensitizing effects of adiponectin. Although AdipoR2 was suggested to be the main receptor for this adipokine in hepatocytes, AdipoR1 protein is highly abundant in primary human hepatocytes and hepatocytic cell lines. Nuclear receptors are main regulators of lipid metabolism and activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha and gamma, retinoid X receptor (RXR), and liver X receptor (LXR) by specific ligands may influence AdipoR1 abundance. AdipoR1 protein is neither altered by RXR or LXR agonists nor by pioglitazone. In contrast, fenofibric acid reduces AdipoR1 whereas hepatotoxic troglitazone upregulates AdipoR1 protein in HepG2 cells. Taken together this work shows for the first time that AdipoR1 protein is expressed in human hepatocytes but that it is not a direct target gene of nuclear receptors. Elevated AdipoR1 induced by hepatotoxic troglitazone may indicate a role of this receptor in adiponectin-mediated beneficial effects in liver damage.

Adiponectin↗

Differential regulation of adiponectin receptor gene expression by adiponectin and leptin in myotubes derived from obese and diabetic individuals.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the regulation of adiponectin receptors 1 (AdipoR1) and 2 (AdipoR2) gene expression in primary skeletal muscle myotubes, derived from human donors, after exposure to globular adiponectin (gAd) and leptin. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Four distinct primary cell culture groups were established [Lean, Obese, Diabetic, Weight Loss (Wt Loss); n = 7 in each] from rectus abdominus muscle biopsies obtained from surgical patients. Differentiated myotube cultures were exposed to gAd (0.1 microg/mL) or leptin (2.5 microg/mL) for 6 hours. AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 gene expression was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. RESULTS: AdipoR1 mRNA expression in skeletal muscle myotubes derived from Lean subjects (p < 0.05) was stimulated 1.8-fold and 2.5-fold with gAd and leptin, respectively. No increase in AdipoR1 gene expression was measured in myotubes derived from Obese, Diabetic, or Wt Loss subjects. AdipoR2 mRNA expression was unaltered after gAd and leptin exposure in all myotube groups. DISCUSSION: Adiponectin and leptin are rapid and potent stimulators of AdipoR1 in myotubes derived from lean healthy individuals. This effect was abolished in myotubes derived from obese, obese diabetic subjects, and obese-prone individuals who had lost significant weight after bariatric surgery. The incapacity of skeletal muscle of obese and diabetic individuals to respond to exogenous adiponectin and leptin may be further suppressed as a result of impaired regulation of the AdipoR1 gene.

Adiponectin↗

Genetic variants of adiponectin receptor 2 are associated with increased adiponectin levels and decreased triglyceride/VLDL levels in patients with metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Adiponectin acts as an antidiabetic, antiinflammatory and antiatherogenic adipokine. These effects are assumed to be mediated by the recently discovered adiponectin receptors AdipoR1 and AdipoR2. AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine whether variations in the AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 genes may contribute to insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and inflammation. METHODS: We sequenced all seven coding exons of both genes in 20 unrelated German subjects with metabolic syndrome and tested genetic variants for association with glucose, lipid and inflammatory parameters. RESULTS: We identified three AdipoR2 variants (+795G/A, +870C/A and +963C/T) in perfect linkage disequilibrium (r2 = 1) with a minor allele frequency of 0.125. This haplotype was associated with higher plasma adiponectin levels and decreased fasting triglyceride, VLDL-triglyceride and VLDL-cholesterol levels. No association, however, was observed between the AdipoR2 SNP cluster and glucose metabolism. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study to identify an association between genetic variants of the adiponectin receptor genes and plasma adiponectin levels. Furthermore, our data suggest that AdipoR2 may play an important role in triglyceride/VLDL metabolism.

Adiponectin↗

Localization of novel adiponectin receptor constructs.

Adiponectin is one of the most abundant fat-derived hormones involved in a multitude of metabolism pathways. The receptors AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 of this metabolically active protein have been identified recently. AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 are most abundantly expressed in the skeletal muscle and in the liver, respectively. It has been postulated that although they both consist of seven transmembrane helices, they are distinct from other G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). We cloned both receptors as fusion proteins with enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) to determine their localization and orientation in the cell membrane. By confocal microscopy and immune staining we demonstrated that both receptor-YFP-fusion proteins are integral membrane proteins with the predicted topology--an intracellular N-terminus and an extracellular C-terminus. In parallel, comparative experiments were performed with the NPY Y2-receptor, a classical rhodopsin-like GPCR.

Adiponectin↗

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)alpha activation increases adiponectin receptors and reduces obesity-related inflammation in adipose tissue: comparison of activation of PPARalpha, PPARgamma, and their combination.

We examined the effects of activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)alpha, PPARgamma, and both of them in combination in obese diabetic KKAy mice and investigated the mechanisms by which they improve insulin sensitivity. PPARalpha activation by its agonist, Wy-14,643, as well as PPARgamma activation by its agonist, rosiglitazone, markedly improved insulin sensitivity. Interestingly, dual activation of PPARalpha and -gamma by a combination of Wy-14,643 and rosiglitazone showed increased efficacy. Adipocyte size in Wy-14,643-treated KKAy mice was much smaller than that of vehicle- or rosiglitazone-treated mice, suggesting that activation of PPARalpha prevents adipocyte hypertrophy. Moreover, Wy-14,643 treatment reduced inflammation and the expression of macrophage-specific genes in white adipose tissue (WAT). Importantly, Wy-14,643 treatment upregulated expression of the adiponectin receptor (AdipoR)-1 and AdipoR2 in WAT, which was decreased in WAT of KKAy mice compared with that in nondiabetic control mice. Furthermore, Wy-14,643 directly increased expression of AdipoRs and decreased monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression in adipocytes and macrophages. Rosiglitazone increased serum adiponectin concentrations and the ratio of high molecular weight multimers of adiponectin to total adiponectin. A combination of rosiglitazone and Wy-14,643 increased both serum adiponectin concentrations and AdipoR expression in WAT. These data suggest that PPARalpha activation prevents inflammation in WAT and that dual activation of PPARalpha and -gamma enhances the action of adiponectin by increasing both adiponectin and AdipoRs, which can result in the amelioration of obesity-induced insulin resistance.

Animals↗

Regulation of adiponectin receptors in hepatocytes by the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma agonist rosiglitazone.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Adiponectin is an adipocyte-derived hormone that plays a critical role in the development of type 2 diabetes via interaction with adiponectin receptors 1 (ADIPOR1) and 2 (ADIPOR2). Rosiglitazone is a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARG) agonist that is widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. We hypothesised that rosiglitazone regulates lipid and glucose metabolism through modulation of the expression of adiponectin receptors in the liver. METHODS: The expression of ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2 was analysed in HepG2 hepatocytes. The promoters of adiponectin receptors were isolated and used to analyse the transcriptional regulation. The expression of adiponectin receptors in the liver was determined in mice treated with rosiglitazone. RESULTS: Rosiglitazone elevated the mRNA and protein levels of ADIPOR2 and stimulated ADIPOR2 promoter in HepG2 cells. Analysis with the ADIPOR2 promoter revealed a putative rosiglitazone-responsive region that contained a glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-binding element. The GR agonist dexamethasone synergised with rosiglitazone to stimulate the ADIPOR2 promoter wheras the GR antagonist RU486 abolished this stimulation. Treatment of mice with rosiglitazone elevated the expression of ADIPOR2 in the liver. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: This study indicates that rosiglitazone can elevate the expression of ADIPOR2 in hepatocytes. Our data also suggest that the PPARG agonist rosiglitazone can interact functionally with a GR element in the ADIPOR2 promoter to mediate stimulation of transcription. This study thus reveals a new paradigm underlying the therapeutic effect of PPARG activators in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Base Sequence↗

The effect of exercise training on adiponectin receptor expression in KKAy obese/diabetic mice.

Adiponectin is an adipocyte-derived factor that plays a pivotal role in lipid and glucose metabolism. Recently, two types of adiponectin receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) were identified. We investigated whether exercise training (ET) or dietary restriction (DR) affects the expression of adiponectin receptors in skeletal muscle and liver, thereby improving glucose and lipid metabolism in KKAy mice. KKAy mice were subjected to 8 weeks of exercise training or food restriction. Following the experimental protocol, an intravenous glucose tolerance test and an intraperitoneal insulin tolerance test were performed in addition to the measurement of blood lipid and adiponectin concentrations. The mRNA levels of adiponectin, adiponectin receptors and genes that are putatively regulated by the adiponectin receptors were also analyzed. Both the 8-week exercise training and food restriction protocol improved insulin resistance in KKAy mice but did not alter plasma adiponectin concentration nor its mRNA expression. In comparison with C57BL/6 mice, AdipoR1 expression level was significantly decreased in skeletal muscle and AdipoR2 expression level was significantly increased in the liver in KKAy mice. After the 8-week experimental protocol, the expression level of AdipoR1 mRNA was approximately 1.8-fold greater in the skeletal muscle and 1.3-fold greater in the liver, and the level of AdipoR2 mRNA was 30% less in the liver of the ET group as compared with the control group. Additionally, in the ET group, mRNA expression of acyl coenzyme A-oxidase and carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (CPT1) was greater in the liver but not in skeletal muscle. In contrast, no significant changes were observed in the expression of genes encoding the adiponectin receptors in addition to other genes except for CPT1 in the DR group. These findings suggest that chronic exercise training affects the expression level of adiponectin receptors thereby improving insulin resistance in KKAy mice.

Adiponectin↗

Effects of exercise on adiponectin and adiponectin receptor levels in rats.

Adiponectin reportedly reduces insulin-resistance. Exercise has also been shown to lessen insulin-resistance, though it is not known whether exercise increases levels of adiponectin and/or its receptors or whether its effects are dependent on exercise intensity and/or frequency. Catecholamine levels have been shown to increase during exercise and to fluctuate based on exercise intensity and duration. In light of this information, we examined the effects of exercise on catecholamine, adiponectin, and adiponectin receptor levels in rats. Our data showed that blood adiponectin levels increased by 150% in animals that exercised at a rate of 30 m/min for 60 min 2 days per week, but not 5 days, per week; no such increase was observed in rats that exercised at a rate of 25 m/min for 30 min. The effects of exercise on adiponectin receptor mRNA were variable, with adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1) levels in muscle increasing up to 4 times while adiponectin receptor 2 (AdipoR2) levels in liver fell to below half in response to exercise at a rate of 25 m/min for 30 min 5 days per week. We also observed that urinary epinephrine levels and plasma lipids were elevated by exercise at a rate of 25 m/min for 30 min 2 days per week. Exercise frequency at a rate of 25 m/min for 30 min correlated with AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 mRNA expression in the muscle and liver, respectively (r=0.640, p<0.05 and r=-0.808, p<0.0005, respectively). Urinary epinephrine levels correlated with AdipoR2 mRNA expression in liver tissues (r=-0.664, p<0.05) in rats that exercised at a rate of 25 m/min for 30 min. Thus, exercise may regulate adiponectin receptor mRNA expression in tissues, which might cause increases in glucose uptake and fatty acid oxidation in the muscle. The effect of exercise on adiponectin levels depends on the specific conditions of the exercise.

Adiponectin↗

Expression of adiponectin receptors in human macrophages and regulation by agonists of the nuclear receptors PPARalpha, PPARgamma, and LXR.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear receptors expressed in macrophages where they control cholesterol homeostasis and inflammation. In an attempt to identify new PPARalpha and PPARgamma target genes in macrophages, a DNA array-based global gene expression profiling experiment was performed on human primary macrophages treated with specific PPARalpha and PPARgamma agonists. Surprisingly, AdipoR2, one of the two recently identified receptors for adiponectin, an adipocyte-specific secreted hormone with anti-diabetic and anti-atherogenic activities, was found to be induced by both PPARalpha and PPARgamma. AdipoR2 induction by PPARalpha and PPARgamma in primary and THP-1 macrophages was confirmed by Q-PCR analysis. Interestingly, treatment with a synthetic LXR agonist induced the expression of both AdipoR1 and AdipoR2. Furthermore, co-incubation with a PPARalpha ligand and adiponectin resulted in an additive effect on the reduction of macrophage cholesteryl ester content. Finally, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 are both present in human atherosclerotic lesions. Moreover, AdipoR1 is more abundant than AdipoR2 in monocytes and its expression decreases upon differentiation into macrophages, whereas AdipoR2 remains constant. In conclusion, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 are expressed in human atherosclerotic lesions and macrophages and can be modulated by PPAR and LXR ligands, thus identifying a mechanism of crosstalk between adiponectin and these nuclear receptor signaling pathways.

Carotid Artery Diseases↗

Regulation of adiponectin receptor gene expression in diabetic mice.

Adiponectin is an adipocyte-derived factor that plays pivotal roles in lipid and glucose metabolism in muscle and liver. The following two adiponectin receptor types were recently identified: AdipoR1 is abundantly expressed in muscle, whereas AdipoR2 is predominantly expressed in the liver. To clarify the regulation of adiponectin receptor gene expression in diabetic states, we examined mRNA levels of AdipoR1 in the muscles of diabetic animals by Northern blotting. The level of AdipoR1 mRNA was increased approximately 2.5-fold in muscle of streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic mice, but the normal level was restored by insulin administration, indicating that insulin has an inhibitory effect on AdipoR1 expression. To confirm this inhibitory effect of insulin, we performed in vitro experiments using C2C12 skeletal muscle cells. Insulin treatment for 24 h decreased AdipoR1 expression by approximately 60% in C2C12 cells. In addition, this effect was mediated by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent pathway rather than the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. AdipoR1 expression in insulin-resistant diabetic mice was also investigated. AdipoR1 expression was decreased by 36% in type 2 diabetic obese db/db mice compared with lean mice. In contrast, hepatic AdipoR2 expression was not significantly changed in either STZ mice or genetically obese mice. Our results indicate that regulation of AdipoR1, but not that of AdipoR2, may be involved in glucose and lipid metabolism in diabetic states.

Animals↗

Cloning of adiponectin receptors that mediate antidiabetic metabolic effects.

Adiponectin (also known as 30-kDa adipocyte complement-related protein; Acrp30) is a hormone secreted by adipocytes that acts as an antidiabetic and anti-atherogenic adipokine. Levels of adiponectin in the blood are decreased under conditions of obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Administration of adiponectin causes glucose-lowering effects and ameliorates insulin resistance in mice. Conversely, adiponectin-deficient mice exhibit insulin resistance and diabetes. This insulin-sensitizing effect of adiponectin seems to be mediated by an increase in fatty-acid oxidation through activation of AMP kinase and PPAR-alpha. Here we report the cloning of complementary DNAs encoding adiponectin receptors 1 and 2 (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) by expression cloning. AdipoR1 is abundantly expressed in skeletal muscle, whereas AdipoR2 is predominantly expressed in the liver. These two adiponectin receptors are predicted to contain seven transmembrane domains, but to be structurally and functionally distinct from G-protein-coupled receptors. Expression of AdipoR1/R2 or suppression of AdipoR1/R2 expression by small-interfering RNA supports our conclusion that they serve as receptors for globular and full-length adiponectin, and that they mediate increased AMP kinase and PPAR-alpha ligand activities, as well as fatty-acid oxidation and glucose uptake by adiponectin.

Adiponectin↗

Adiponectin and adiponectin receptors in insulin resistance, diabetes, and the metabolic syndrome.

Adiponectin is an adipokine that is specifically and abundantly expressed in adipose tissue and directly sensitizes the body to insulin. Hypoadiponectinemia, caused by interactions of genetic factors such as SNPs in the Adiponectin gene and environmental factors causing obesity, appears to play an important causal role in insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and the metabolic syndrome, which are linked to obesity. The adiponectin receptors, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2, which mediate the antidiabetic metabolic actions of adiponectin, have been cloned and are downregulated in obesity-linked insulin resistance. Upregulation of adiponectin is a partial cause of the insulin-sensitizing and antidiabetic actions of thiazolidinediones. Therefore, adiponectin and adiponectin receptors represent potential versatile therapeutic targets to combat obesity-linked diseases characterized by insulin resistance. This Review describes the pathophysiology of adiponectin and adiponectin receptors in insulin resistance, diabetes, and the metabolic syndrome.

Adiponectin↗