A study performed by the group of investigators that comprise the Research Group on Molecular Pathology and Therapy in Heterogenic and Polygenic Diseases at the Institute of Biomedical Research (IRB-PCB) of the Parc Científic de Barcelona (PCB, Barcelona Science Park) has deciphered the behavior of a protein, Mitofusin-2, which is found in our cells. The authors of the study conclude that this protein may constitute a new therapeutic target for the treatment of insulin resistance. The results of this study have been published in the journal Human Molecular Genetics

It is known that mutations in this protein cause the chronic disease called Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT). This illness, which affects one in 2,500 people, damages peripheral nerves, that is to say, the nerves that serve as links between the central nervous system and the periphery. In the context of this disease, the study also provides new insight into the mechanisms that malfunction in those that suffer this malady.

Cells have several mechanisms through which to control energy metabolism, some of which remain to be elucidated. The study, performed by the researchers Antonio Zorzano, Sara Pich and Manuel Palacín, among others, has focused on a number of these energy regulation mechanisms and has demonstrated the link between Mitofusin-2 and the regulation of the function of mitochondria, organs that play a crucial role in cellular energy metabolism. Using cell cultures, these researchers have shown that the down-regulation of Mitofusin-2 leads mitochondria to decrease their uptake of a number of substrates, such as glucose, while the up-regulation of this protein produces increased glucose oxidation. The article also describes the nature of these mechanisms.

By relating the present results with those published previously by the group, in which it is shown that individuals with insulin resistance have reduced Mitofusin-2 protein expression in muscle, the study confirms that this protein could be a suitable therapeutic target for the treatment of this disease.

Indeed, this research group patented Mitofusin-2 in February 2003, after obtaining results that pointed to this protein being a potential therapeutic target. However, it has been only now, with the present results, that their hypothesis has been confirmed. The next step will be the validation of this target in an animal model.