Patatin-like Phospholipase Domain-containing Protein 3

Adiponutrin is one of three recently identified adipocyte lipases. Surprisingly, these proteins also retain transacylase activity, a hitherto unknown pathway of triacylglycerol synthesis in the adipocytes. This may enable them to participate in both anabolic and catabolic processes. The adiponutrin gene (ADPN) is downregulated by fasting and upregulated by refeeding, suggesting a role in lipogenesis. Experiments in human adipocytes confirmed that the gene is upregulated in response to insulin in a glucose-dependent fashion. Obese subjects had increased levels of subcutaneous and visceral abdominal adipose tissue ADPN mRNA. Visceral ADPN mRNA expression was correlated to measures of insulin sensitivity (fasting insulin and homeostasis model assessment).