Researchers from Case Western Reserve University have identified a novel enzyme, SCAN (SNO-CoA-assisted nitrosylase), that is involved in the breakdown of insulin functionality in type 2 diabetes.
The study revealed that SCAN, responsible for attaching nitric oxide (NO) to proteins like insulin receptors, showed heightened activity in humans and mice with insulin resistance. When SCAN was inhibited in mouse models of diabetes, the animals did not exhibit classic symptoms, suggesting a potential target for future treatments.
The findings propose that an excess of NO attaching to proteins like insulin could drive type 2 diabetes. Blocking enzymes involved in NO attachment, such as SCAN, emerges as a potential avenue for further research and therapeutic development.