Complement 3 (C3) through its interaction with factors B and D ( adipsin) generates C3a. In the human body, C3a is rapidly cleaved by carboxypeptidase B or carbxyopeptidase N, that remove the carboxyl-terminal arginine to generate C3adesArg. [1] Thus, most of plasmatic C3a is present in C3adesArg form. C3adesArg is more commonly named ASP or acylation-stimulating-protein due to its marked stimulating action on triacylglycerol synthesis in human adipocytes and skin fibroblasts. [2] ASP is also known for its augmentation of glucose transport and inhibiting action on hormone-sensitive lipase. Because of these actions, it is linked to the pathogenesis of obesity, [3] having been demonstrated to be present at increased levels in patients with obesity, [4] diabetes mellitus type 2 [5] and coronary artery disease. [6]
ASP lis a ligand for C5L2, a G-protein-coupled receptor. [7]
The view of C3a/C3adesArg as an acylation stimulating activity is not universally accepted. The evidence is discussed in a recent review. [8]
Complement 3 (C3) through its interaction with factors B and D ( adipsin) generates C3a. In the human body, C3a is rapidly cleaved by carboxypeptidase B or carbxyopeptidase N, that remove the carboxyl-terminal arginine to generate C3adesArg. [1] Thus, most of plasmatic C3a is present in C3adesArg form. C3adesArg is more commonly named ASP or acylation-stimulating-protein due to its marked stimulating action on triacylglycerol synthesis in human adipocytes and skin fibroblasts. [2] ASP is also known for its augmentation of glucose transport and inhibiting action on hormone-sensitive lipase. Because of these actions, it is linked to the pathogenesis of obesity, [3] having been demonstrated to be present at increased levels in patients with obesity, [4] diabetes mellitus type 2 [5] and coronary artery disease. [6]
ASP lis a ligand for C5L2, a G-protein-coupled receptor. [7]
The view of C3a/C3adesArg as an acylation stimulating activity is not universally accepted. The evidence is discussed in a recent review. [8]