title: Visfatin/PBEF/Nampt: structure, regulation and potential function of a novel adipokine.
abstract: Over the last few years, it has become obvious that obesity and insulin resistance are linked by a variety of proteins secreted by adipocytes. Visfatin/PBEF (pre-B-cell colony-enhancing factor) has recently been identified as a novel adipokine with insulin-mimetic effects. Furthermore, an enzymatic function has been reported that reveals visfatin/PBEF as Nampt (nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase; EC 2.4.2.12.). Moreover, reports on the structure and hormonal regulation of visfatin/PBEF/Nampt have given further insights into its potential physiological role. The present review summarizes studies on visfatin/PBEF/Nampt as a novel adipokine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine III, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Grit
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sommer
authors.forename: Antje
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garten
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Petzold
authors.forename: Annette G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Beck-Sickinger
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blüher
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stumvoll
authors.forename: Mathias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fasshauer
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002384:Catalysis; D016207:Cytokines / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000502:physiology; D054409:Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D016207:Cytokines; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D054409:Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase; C085455:nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase, human