New Protein Molecule Emerges as Potential Game-Changer for Diabetes Treatment

Beijing, 4 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- A novel protein molecule engineered to combat insulin resistance has been developed by an international research consortium. The molecule, designated "Aap2," has shown high efficacy in suppressing insulin resistance and regulating blood glucose levels, presenting a promising new avenue for treating both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Published in the journal PNAS, the research reveals that Aap2 functions by mimicking the activity of a protein known as ATG7. The team discovered that ATG7 performs a previously unknown and critical role in metabolic regulation, traveling from muscle tissue to the liver to boost glucose uptake in response to insulin.

In laboratory studies led by Professor Cao Liu of China Medical University, with collaborators from China, Japan, and Europe, injection of the Aap2 molecule into diabetic mouse models markedly protected the animals from disease progression. The treatment effectively stimulated hepatic glucose absorption and prevented the onset of insulin resistance.

This innovation arrives amid rising global diabetes prevalence, with World Health Organization (WHO) estimates for 6 projecting nearly 830 million affected individuals worldwide. The discovery of Aap2 establishes a foundational platform for developing next-generation biologic therapies aimed at the precise molecular drivers of diabetes, potentially leading to treatments with superior efficacy and reduced side effects.

--- Ends/Khalid