APPLied mechanics: Uncovering how adiponectin modulates insulin action

Adiponectin, an adipocyte secretory hormone, has been causally linked to insulin resistance in the metabolic syndrome and diabetes. A recent paper (Mao et al., 2006) shows that the APPL1 adaptor protein binds to the intracellular domain of adiponectin receptors and mediates some of adiponectin's actions, identifying a novel mechanism linking adiponectin to insulin sensitization