Protein diabetes research target

According to recent diabetes news, a protein involved in stress response could regulate a metabolic pathway that helps to control blood sugar levels and burns fat. The study indicates that the protein is also involved in the production of energy .
A molecular biologist at MIT, Leonard Guarente, reported the findings. The protein, known as sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) is a master regulator. The protein helps cells to switch from oxidative metabolism to anaerobic glycolysis. The study, which was published in the January issue of Cell, could open up treatment pathways for both diabetes and obesity .
The study, which was conducted in mice, confirms the role of sirtuin. Those mice that lacked SIRT6 died quickly of hypoglycaemia, or low blood sugar .