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News Uptake
Across the world, about half a billion people suffer from type 2 diabetes. But the reason behind this condition is still not clear.
Case Western Research University researchers in America have now figured out why insulin in our body stops working effectively.
Through S-nitrosylation nitric oxide(NO) in our body turns into a molecule which can share information between cells.
Recently, it has been found out that NO is linked to some aspects of our metabolism also.
The Case Western Reserve scientists have discovered an enzyme, SCAN. It helps attach NO to its target protein, like receptors on insulin.
The new findings indicate that overabundance of NO attaching to proteins like insulin ay be the cause behind type 2 diabetes.
Any enzyme that attaches NO to its target receptor, like SCAN, can be helpful in future research in this regard.
It is hoped that by blocking the SCAN enzymes, new treatments for some types of diabetes can be found.
This study was published in 'Cell'.