FNDC5

Irisin is an endogenous messenger (cytokine ) in vertebrates, which is released by muscles, and therefore one of the Myokinen. He was described in 2012 by a research team from Harvard University in Boston and named after the Greek messenger of the gods Iris.

During physical activity in muscle cells, individual proteins are preferentially formed, including the protein FNDC5 ( fibronectin type III domain containing protein 5 ). FNDC5 is a membrane protein, whose extracellular domain is activated proteolytically by the transport to the cell membrane and secreted as Irisin. Also found in muscle cells increased FNDC5 levels in increased expression of PGC- 1α ( proliferator - activated receptor γ coactivator 1α ), which is important for homeostasis in blood sugar, fat metabolism and energy balance. Transgenic mice with permanent PGC - 1α - education in their muscle cells were resistant to age-related obesity and diabetes mellitus and had a higher life expectancy. This effect of the PGC- 1α occurs, inter alia, on the neurotransmitter Irisin.

Irisin triggers the transformation of white fat cells into cells with a phenotype of brown fat cells ( "brown -in- white" or " brite " adipocytes ), with increased expression of the typical brown adipocytes protein UCP1 ( uncoupling protein 1, also Thermogenin called ). The increased expression of this protein in fat cells results in an increased heat release and heat generation, and thus also a slight weight loss, an increased energy demand and an improved glucose tolerance.

The Irisin proteins of mouse and man are identical. In humans, the Irisin levels rose after ten weeks of regular physical activity on the double. There is already speculation about a Irisin therapy in the form of an exercise pill. A new German study presents the results of the U.S. study in question, which greatly increased Irisin levels in athletes are due more to a change in the blood samples during storage. At least shows the German study with a larger number of subjects, no statistically significant changes of Irisin from exercise compared to a control group.

Swell

  • Cytokine
  • Immunology
  • Neurobiology
  • Neurophysiology
Protein isoform Human Genome Organisation Iris (mythology) Digital Object Identifier
417180
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