AMYLIN, AMYLOID AND AGE-RELATED DISEASE

Amylin, a 37-amino acid peptide, is cosecreted with insulin from the b eta-cells of the pancreatic islets in normal response to physiological stimuli. It is the major protein of islet amyloid, which is usually p resent in the pancreases of people with non-insulin-dependent (type II ) diabetes mellitus, Amylin elicits potent effects on carbohydrate met abolism in rodent tissues, causing insulin resistance in skeletal musc le and liver. A close structural relationship exists between amylin an d the 2 calcitonin gene-related peptides, which are widely distributed neuropeptides and potent vasodilators, These exert biological effects similar to those of amylin on the organs primarily responsible for th e regulation of carbohydrate metabolism. All 3 peptides are thought to cause their biological actions by binding to similar cell surface rec eptors. This article reviews the field of amylin and its role in the p hysiological regulation of carbohydrate metabolism, and in disease mec hanisms associated with insulin resistance in diabetes mellitus, impai red glucose tolerance and essential hypertension, Potential therapeuti c applications are also discussed.