CCMB scientists discover novel function of SCGN protein in

Scientists at the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) here have demonstrated the role of a protein secretagogin (SCGN) in increasing insulin action in obesity-induced diabetes.

The findings established SCGN as a functional insulin- binding protein with therapeutic potential against diabetes, the CCMB said.

They show that SCGN binds to insulin and protects it from various stresses, increases its stability and adds to its action, a CCMB release said on Thursday.

It said various kinds of cellular stresses can result in loss of structure and function of insulin, ultimately leading to diabetes.

At present, the processes regulating insulin synthesis, maturation, secretion and signaling in diabetes were not completely understood, it said.

Yogendra Sharma from CCMB and his colleagues Anand Sharma, Radhika Khandelwal and Amrutha Chidananda have demonstrated the role of a protein secretagogin (SCGN) in increasing insulin action in obesity-induced diabetes.

The scientists have shown injection of SCGN (found at lower levels in diabetic patients) in obese diabetic mice clears excess insulin from circulation and reduces fat mass.

SCGN treated animals also had lower levels of harmful LDL-cholesterol and lower lipid accumulation in liver cells, it said.

These findings were published in the latest issue of the journal iScience.

Diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia and Alzheimers disease are often linked with each other.

SCGN is found in lower quantities in the brains of Alzheimers patients, it said.

In a parallel study, also recently published in Biochemistry, Sharmas group has also shown SCGNs role in preventing formation of alpha-synuclein protein fibrils a precursor for many neurodegenerative diseases, it said.

SCGN would soon become a diagnostic marker, and one should check its potential in diabetes management, Sharma said.

While studying calcium-binding properties of SCGN, CCMB scientists have discovered a novel function of this protein in diabetes biology, yet another example of how quality basic science can lead to valuable applications, Rakesh Mishra, Director, CCMB, said.