ol 64

Serpins are the largest and most diverse family of protease inhibitors. Most serpins control proteolytic cascades, certain serpins do not inhibit enzymes, but instead perform diverse functions such as storage (ovalbumin, in egg white), hormone carriage proteins (thyroxine-binding globulin, cortisol-binding globulin) and tumor suppressor genes (maspin). Most inhibitory serpins target chymotrypsin-like serine proteases. These enzymes are defined by the presence of a nucleophilic serine residue in their catalytic site. Some serpins inhibit other classes of protease. A number of such serpins have been shown to target cysteine proteases. These enzymes differ from serine proteases in that they are defined by the presence of a nucleophilic cysteine residue, rather than a serine residue, in their catalytic site.SerpinA12, also known as OL-64, Visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor, Vaspin, Visceral adipose-specific serpin and SERPINA12, is a secreted protein that belongs to the serpin family. SerpinA12 / Vaspin is expressed in visceral adipose tissues. It may modulate insulin action conceivably only in the presence of its yet undefined target proteases in white adipose tissues. SerpinA12 / Vaspin may be the compensatory molecule in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome and SerpinA12 / Vaspin recombinant protein or vaspin-mimicking agents such as vaspin analogs, antibodies or small molecule agents may be the link to drug discovery and development.

Vaspin (Visceral Adipose-Specific SERPIN) is a newly described adipokine. Vaspin has three β-sheets, nine α-helices, and one central loop; the structure is part of the set of distinctive features that are descriptive of Serpin family members. Vaspin is also a unique insulin sensitizing adipocytokine in obesity. A recent publication indicates that Vaspin mRNA expression in visceral fat is positively correlated with BMI and percent of body fat. and could be associated with parameters of obesity, insulin resistance, and glucose metabolism. These findings suggest a potential clinical use for Vaspin in ameliorating certain aberrations seen in the obesity metabolic syndrome.