Description
Adiponectin consists of 244 amino acids and has an approximate molecular weight of 30kDa.
The adiponectin concentration in blood is 5?30?g/ml, accounts for about 0.01% of the total plasma proteins. Adiponectin has four domains: a signal peptide, a variable domain, a collagen-like N-terminal domain and a globular C-terminal domain. One of the natural inductors of the adiponectin synthesis is IGF-I. Two different adiponectin receptors are known. Both receptors are ubiquitary expressed, though their distribution in the tissues varies: Adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1) is synthesized in muscle and Adiponectin receptor 2 (AdipoR2) is synthesized in liver tissue. Studies have shown a correlation of total serum adiponectin to insulin sensitivity and the ability of total serum adiponectin levels to predict insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance. Low adiponectin concentrations result in inhibition of fatty acid oxidation and are associated with insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and arteriosclerosis.
