Adiponectin, also known as Acrp30, AdipoQ, GBP-28, APM-1, and ACDC, is a protein hormone predominantly secreted by adipose tissue. It plays a crucial role in regulating metabolic processes such as glucose regulation and fatty acid oxidation. The recombinant form of human adiponectin is produced using various expression systems, including Escherichia coli and mammalian cells .
Adiponectin is a 25.1 kDa protein composed of 231 amino acids. It has a modular structure consisting of an N-terminal collagenous domain followed by a C-terminal globular domain . This structure allows adiponectin to form various multimeric complexes, including trimers, hexamers, and high molecular weight (HMW) forms, which are essential for its biological activity .
Adiponectin exerts its effects through several mechanisms:
Recombinant human adiponectin is typically produced in Escherichia coli, resulting in a non-glycosylated polypeptide chain . Recent advancements have explored the use of genome-edited chickens as a sustainable platform for producing multimeric and functional recombinant human adiponectin . This method has shown promise in generating stable and biologically active forms of adiponectin across generations.
For storage, the recombinant protein is formulated in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) with 1mM DTT and should be stored at 4°C for short-term use or frozen at -20°C for long-term storage. It is recommended to add a carrier protein, such as 0.1% HSA or BSA, to prevent multiple freeze-thaw cycles .
Adiponectin has garnered significant interest for its potential therapeutic applications in metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Reduced levels of adiponectin are associated with conditions such as obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes . By enhancing insulin sensitivity and exerting anti-inflammatory effects, adiponectin holds promise as a therapeutic target for these conditions .
Moreover, the high molecular weight (HMW) form of adiponectin is considered the most biologically active and is closely correlated with the risk of atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction . Research continues to explore the therapeutic potential of adiponectin in various diseases, aiming to harness its beneficial effects for clinical applications.