The Role of Fetuin-A in Diabetes and Obesity: The Mechanism and Action

Fetuin-A is a phosphorylated glycoprotein produced by liver.It by binding to calcium ion inhibits ectopic calcium deposition and protects vascular calcification. Fetuin-A acts as a multifactorial protein and its role has been documented from brain development to bone remodeling and immune function, regulation of insulin activity, hepatocyte growth factor activity and inhibition lymphocyte blastic transformation. Fetuin-A inhibits phosphorylation of insulin receptors in liver and muscle resulted to decreased insulin signaling, therefore, the high level of fetuin-A is associated with insulin resistance and incidence of type 2 diabetes. Also fetuin-A suppresses tyrosin kinase activity in muscle and liver via inhibiting the auto phosphorylation of this enzyme and insulin receptor substrate proteins (IRS-1). Obesity also increases fetuin-A gene expression, indicating an important role of fetuin-A in predisposing to obesity. Also increased fetuin-A and plasma levels of proteins expression are associated with fat accumulation in liver. In this paper, Fetuin-A, its role in diabetes and insulin resistance, Fetuin-A, obesity and cardiovascular will be surveyed.