Insulinase: A Potential Drug Target for Diabetes (G3416)

Target Name: IDE

NCBI ID: G3416

Insulinase: A Potential Drug Target for Diabetes

Insulinase is a protein that is produced by the pancreas, and it is essential for the proper functioning of the body. Insulinase is responsible for breaking down the insulin molecule, which is released by the pancreas into the bloodstream to regulate blood sugar levels. Without insulin, people with diabetes are at risk for serious health complications, including heart disease, nerve damage, and kidney failure.

As a result of its importance for human health, insulinase has been identified as a potential drug target or biomarker. Researchers are investigating the use of drugs that can inhibit insulinase activity to treat various diseases, including diabetes.

One of the main challenges in developing new treatments for diabetes is identifying potential drug targets. Insulinase is a key player in the disease, and any treatment that can disrupt its activity could be highly effective. Additionally, insulinase is a protein that is expressed in high levels in many tissues throughout the body, which makes it an attractive target for drugs that can affect it without affecting other tissues.

One potential approach to treating diabetes with insulinase inhibitors is to target the cells that produce insulinase. Insulinase is produced by the pancreatic beta cells, which are a type of muscle cell that produce insulin. By inhibiting the production of insulinase in these cells, researchers hope to reduce the amount of insulin that is available in the bloodstream, which could lead to lower blood sugar levels.

Another potential approach to treating diabetes with insulinase inhibitors is to target the cells that respond to insulin. Insulinose responsive cells are cells that are activated when blood sugar levels are high, and they are a common type of cell in the body. By inhibiting the activity of insulinase in these cells, researchers hope to reduce the amount of insulin that is available in the bloodstream, which could lead to lower blood sugar levels.

In addition to its potential as a drug target, insulinase is also being investigated as a biomarker for diabetes. Insulinase is often measured in the bloodstream as a marker for the levels of insulin in the body. By measuring the level of insulinase in the bloodstream, researchers can get a sense of how much insulin is available in the body, which can be useful for monitoring the effectiveness of different treatments for diabetes.

Overall, insulinase is an attractive target for drugs that can treat diabetes. By inhibiting its activity, researchers hope to reduce the amount of insulin available in the bloodstream, which could lead to lower blood sugar levels and improve the health of people with diabetes. Additionally, insulinase is being investigated as a biomarker for diabetes, which could help researchers better understand the disease and develop new treatments.

Protein Name: Insulin Degrading Enzyme

Functions: Plays a role in the cellular breakdown of insulin, APP peptides, IAPP peptides, natriuretic peptides, glucagon, bradykinin, kallidin, and other peptides, and thereby plays a role in intercellular peptide signaling (PubMed:2293021, PubMed:10684867, PubMed:26968463, PubMed:17051221, PubMed:17613531, PubMed:18986166, PubMed:19321446, PubMed:23922390, PubMed:24847884, PubMed:26394692, PubMed:29596046, PubMed:21098034). Substrate binding induces important conformation changes, making it possible to bind and degrade larger substrates, such as insulin (PubMed:23922390, PubMed:26394692, PubMed:29596046). Contributes to the regulation of peptide hormone signaling cascades and regulation of blood glucose homeostasis via its role in the degradation of insulin, glucagon and IAPP (By similarity). Plays a role in the degradation and clearance of APP-derived amyloidogenic peptides that are secreted by neurons and microglia (PubMed:9830016, PubMed:26394692) (Probable). Degrades the natriuretic peptides ANP, BNP and CNP, inactivating their ability to raise intracellular cGMP (PubMed:21098034). Also degrades an aberrant frameshifted 40-residue form of NPPA (fsNPPA) which is associated with familial atrial fibrillation in heterozygous patients (PubMed:21098034). Involved in antigen processing. Produces both the N terminus and the C terminus of MAGEA3-derived antigenic peptide (EVDPIGHLY) that is presented to cytotoxic T lymphocytes by MHC class I

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