Gm3 Synthase (St3gal5) and Diabetes

Abstract

Ganglioside GM3 has been known to participate in insulin signaling by regulating the association of insulin receptor in caveolae microdomains (lipid rafts). Studies on the molecular pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance focusing on the interaction between insulin receptor and GM3 in adipocytes lead to a working hypothesis “metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes, are membrane microdomain disorders caused by aberrant expression of gangliosides.” It is expected the development of novel diagnosis of metabolic syndrome by identifying the specific ganglioside species and a therapeutic strategy “membrane microdomain ortho-signaling therapy.”.