核受体PPARγ结合小肽的筛选及其功能

为筛选与核受体过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ(PPARγ)结合的功能短肽,在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中表达PPARγ配体结合域(LBD)的融合蛋白,并利用Ni2+-NTA离子交换树脂对表达蛋白进行纯化.以此纯化蛋白为靶,采用固体包被法对噬菌体展示随机十二肽库及环七肽库进行亲和筛选.经ELISA法鉴定特异结合的高亲和力阳性噬菌体单克隆并测序.同时利用PPARγ的配体rosiglitazone与噬菌体小肽进行竞争性结合抑制实验.最终获得与PPARγ-LBD高亲和力的十二肽3个,环七肽5个,分别含LXXLL和DXXRW(其中X为非特异氨基酸残基)保守序列.Rosiglitazone不影响噬菌体小肽与靶蛋白的结合,说明获得与配体rosiglitazone结合位点不同的目的肽.     

具有GCSF活性的噬菌体展示肽

从NFS 6 0细胞中克隆了小鼠粒细胞集落刺激因子 (granulocytecolony stimulatingfactor,G CSF)受体的细胞因子受体同源区 (cytokinereceptorhomologous ,CRH)结构域 ,采用GST融合表达策略 ,实现了CRH结构域的表达 .以纯化的GST CRH融合蛋白为靶 ,从噬菌体随机环七肽库中筛选CRH结构域的结合肽 ,找到两组具有核心序列的噬菌体展示肽 .其中C2和C13噬菌体展示肽能刺激NFS 6 0细胞增殖 ,说明C2和C13噬菌体展示肽具有G CSF活性     

脑膜炎大肠杆菌IbeA蛋白结合肽序列的亲和筛选

应用噬菌体展示肽库技术,以重组的脑膜炎大肠杆菌致病蛋白IbeA作为靶分子,经过吸附-洗脱-扩增-再吸附的亲和筛选,随机挑选亲和力强的噬菌体克隆,进行ELISA、竞争抑制实验和序列测定。结果显示,经3轮淘选后,间接ELISA鉴定得到高亲和性结合IbeA蛋白的15个阳性克隆。竞争抑制实验结果表明,游离IbeA蛋白能竞争抑制噬菌体结合肽克隆与固相包被的IbeA蛋白的结合,其抑制作用随游离IbeA蛋白浓度的降低而减弱。测序结果得到5种阳性噬菌体克隆展示肽序列。上述结果提示以脑膜炎大肠杆菌IbeA蛋白为靶筛选所获得的噬菌体12肽克隆,具有特异性,其结合肽序列呈现相对保守性。建立的从噬菌体随机肽库筛选IbeA蛋白结合肽的方法具有方便、灵活和高效可行的特点。     

利用噬菌体展示肽库筛选鸡传染性支气管炎病毒模拟抗原表位

目的：利用噬菌体展示肽库技术筛选鸡传染性支气管炎病毒（IBV）的模拟抗原表位。方法：用IBV阳性血清纯化IgG作为靶标。对噬菌体展示随机12肽库进行筛选，通过ELISA和竞争抑制ELISA鉴定筛选克隆的结合特性，并对阳性克隆提取ssDNA进行测序分析。结果：3轮生物淘洗后，目标噬菌体得到125倍富集。随机挑选50个克隆进行ELISA和竞争抑制ELISA。其中有12个噬菌体克隆可以与IBV阳性血清高特异性结合。测序分析发现，这12个克隆带有2种氨基酸序列。即KSPKHSSSALHF和SFFQLNLHRPTS。且未发现这2种序列与GenBank中已发表的IBV氨基酸序列有同源性。结论：结果提示。这2个肽可能是IBV抗原的模拟表位。     

从噬菌体随机肽库中筛选流感病毒神经氨酸酶的抑制多肽

目的:从噬菌体呈现12肽库中筛选与流感病毒神经氨酸酶特异性结合的肽。方法:以甲三型流感病毒裂解疫苗原液为靶分子,经过3轮生物淘选,从噬菌体随机肽库中筛选与之结合的噬菌体。用ELISA方法鉴定噬菌体克隆与靶分子的结合力,用荧光方法测定噬菌体克隆对流感病毒A/Sydney/5/97(H3N2)神经氨酸酶的抑制活性。对筛选到的阳性克隆进行DNA序列测定并推导出相应的氨基酸序列。结果:经过3轮筛选后,42个噬菌体克隆与靶分子有高度亲和力,23个噬菌体克隆对流感病毒A/Sydney/5/97(H3N2)神经氨酸酶有抑制活性。对27个噬菌体克隆的测序结果表明,分别有10个和2个克隆的序列是一致的,其氨基酸序列分别为KSLSRHDHIHHH和WPRHHHSASVQT。结论:通过噬菌体肽库筛选到抑制流感病毒神经氨酸酶的12肽,为进一步研究对流感病毒神经氨酸酶有抑制活性的分子药物奠定了基础。     

脑膜炎大肠杆菌IbeA蛋白结合肽序列的亲和筛选*

应用噬菌体展示肽库技术,以重组的脑膜炎大肠杆菌致病蛋白IbeA作为靶分子,经过吸附-洗脱-扩增-再吸附的亲和筛选,随机挑选亲和力强的噬菌体克隆,进行ELISA、竞争抑制实验和序列测定。结果显示,经3轮淘选后,间接ELISA鉴定得到高亲和性结合IbeA蛋白的15个阳性克隆。竞争抑制实验结果表明,游离IbeA蛋白能竞争抑制噬菌体结合肽克隆与固相包被的IbeA蛋白的结合,其抑制作用随游离IbeA蛋白浓度的降低而减弱。测序结果得到5种阳性噬菌体克隆展示肽序列。上述结果提示以脑膜炎大肠杆菌IbeA蛋白为靶筛选所获得     

表位九肽库的构建及人Ⅳ型胶原酶特异结合肽的筛选

将人工合成的编码九肽的随机序列DNA片段克隆进丝状噬菌体表达载体FUSE5,经多次电击转化和表达,获得肽段与噬菌体pⅢ蛋白融合并展示在噬菌体表面的随机序列九肽表位肽库。库容量达10 10个克隆。以Ⅳ型胶原酶为靶蛋白,采用亲和纯化筛选模式,从中筛选出Ⅳ型胶原酶结合肽。进一步ELISA检测筛选出与Ⅳ型胶原酶特异结合的20个阳性克隆。序列分析发现一组肽含有WDXXD的共同序列,一组含有WVGXXR的共同序列。其中WDXXD的序列与Ⅳ型胶原酶单链抗体可变区序列同源。结果表明,多肽库是筛选蛋白特异结合肽的有力工具,表位九肽库的构建和筛选方法的建立为进一步应用筛选具有高亲和力的特异结合肽奠定了基础。     

猪瘟病毒囊膜糖蛋白E2中和表位的定位及其免疫反应性分析

猪瘟病毒(CSFV)囊膜结构糖蛋白E2(gp55)是激发保护性免疫应答的主要抗原蛋白。E^ms和E2与细胞表面受体的相互作用介导病毒对细胞的感染过程。采用抗CSFV中和性单克隆抗体c24／10,淘选噬菌体展示的12肽随机肽库,结合噬菌体拟位免疫反应性分析结果,对CSFV E2蛋白中和表位进行定位。结果表明：F2蛋白的SPTTLR基序(832～837位氨基酸)构成CSFV特异性线性中和表位,基序的第一、二、三位氨基酸是表位与单克隆抗体c24／10结合所必需的氨基酸,也是表位的关键性氨基酸。     

细胞间粘附分子1特异结合肽的筛选及其生物功能

采用两种方法对噬菌体展示随机十五肽库进行亲和淘选 .ELISA法筛选特异结合高亲和力的阳性噬菌体单克隆 ,测序 ,得到 6个与人细胞间粘附分子 1(ICAM 1)高亲和力的噬菌体展示十五肽单克隆 .再经ELISA法从这 6个噬菌体单克隆中选择与ICAM 1亲和力最高的单克隆 ,同时利用蛋白空间结构位象模拟技术对小肽与ICAM 1的亲和力进行模拟研究 .最终获取目的小肽的氨基酸序列为GRGEFRGRDNSVSVV .目的单克隆噬菌体与ICAM - 1的亲和常数Ka 为 7 87× 10 7L mol .体外合成、纯化并标记目的小肽 .ELISA法验证目的小肽与人ICAM 1的结合呈浓度依赖性 ,抗ICAM 1多抗不能拮抗目的小肽与ICAM 1的结合 .采用免疫组化方法证实 ,此目的小肽具有与炎症组织中高表达的ICAM 1特异性结合的功能 .在动物体内 ,荧光标记的目的小肽具有向高表达ICAM 1的炎症部位特异性聚集的功能 .说明此目的肽可尝试作为以ICAM 1为靶的“肽导向药物”的前导肽 .     

人IgG四亚类对噬菌体展示Ig结合蛋白单结构域随机组合文库的体外进化筛选

金黄色葡萄球菌蛋白A(Staphylococcal protein A,SpA)和链球菌蛋白G(Streptococcal protein G,SpG)是细菌产生的特异结合宿主抗体的细菌免疫球蛋白结合蛋白(Immunoglobulin(Ig)-binding proteins,IBPs)的代表分子。SpA和SpG均包含由多个序列高度同源的结合结构域重复组成的抗体结合区,各单结构域都具有完全的结合IgG的功能。为研究这些单结构域随机组合能否产生具有新结合特性的组合分子,将SpA的A、B、C、D、E以及SpG的B2、B3共7个单结合结构域随机组合构建成噬菌体展示文库后,应用人IgG1、2、3、4为诱饵分子对该文库进行4轮筛选,获得了SpA天然分子中不存在的单结构域排列组合分子D-C。在筛选过程中,阴性对照噬菌体的逐渐减少、展示两个结构域以上的噬菌体比例不断增多,尤其是D-C组合的选择性富集和其随机连接肽的严格筛选都显示了筛选的有效性和D-C组合的重要性。噬菌体ELISA进一步证实D-C与人IgG四亚类的结合能力远强于天然SpA分子。该研究应用分子进化技术首次获得了一种与人IgG四亚类具有结合优势的新型组合分子D-C,不仅可为IgG纯化、制备、检测等方面的应用提供新的候选分子,还为细菌IBP结构功能的进一步研究提供新的手段。     

Membrane targeting by APPL1 and APPL2: dynamic scaffolds that oligomerize and bind phosphoinositides

Human adaptor protein, phosphotyrosine interaction, PH domain and leucine zipper containing 1 (APPL1) and adaptor protein, phosphotyrosine interaction, PH domain and leucine zipper containing 2 (APPL2) are homologous effectors of the small guanosine triphosphatase RAB5 that interact with a diverse set of receptors and signaling proteins and are proposed to function in endosome-mediated signaling. Herein, we investigated the membrane-targeting properties of the APPL1 and APPL2 Bin/Amphiphysin/Rvs (BAR), pleckstrin homology (PH) and phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domains. Coimmunoprecipitation and yeast two-hybrid studies demonstrated that full-length APPL proteins formed homooligomers and heterooligomers and that the APPL minimal BAR domains were necessary and sufficient for mediating APPL-APPL interactions. When fused to a fluorescent protein and overexpressed, all three domains (minimal BAR, PH and PTB) were targeted to cell membranes. Furthermore, full-length APPL proteins bound to phosphoinositides, and the APPL isolated PH or PTB domains were sufficient for in vitro phosphoinositide binding. Live cell imaging showed that full-length APPL-yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) fusion proteins associated with cytosolic membrane structures that underwent movement, fusion and fission events. Overexpression of full-length APPL-YFP fusion proteins was sufficient to recruit endogenous RAB5 to enlarged APPL-associated membrane structures, although APPL1 was not necessary for RAB5 membrane targeting. Taken together, our findings suggest a role for APPL proteins as dynamic scaffolds that modulate RAB5-associated signaling endosomal membranes by their ability to undergo domain-mediated oligomerization, membrane targeting and phosphoinositide binding.     

Crystal structures of the BAR-PH and PTB domains of human APPL1

APPL1 interacts with adiponectin receptors and other important signaling molecules. It contains a BAR and a PH domain near its N terminus, and the two domains may function as a unit (BAR-PH domain). We report here the crystal structures of the BAR-PH and PTB domains of human APPL1. The structures reveal novel features for BAR domain dimerization and for the interactions between the BAR and PH domains. The BAR domain dimer of APPL1 contains two four-helical bundles, whereas other BAR domain dimers have only three helices in each bundle. The PH domain is located at the opposite ends of the BAR domain dimer. Yeast two-hybrid assays confirm the interactions between the BAR and PH domains. Lipid binding assays show that the BAR, PH, and PTB domains can bind phospholipids. The ability of APPL1 to interact with multiple signaling molecules and phospholipids supports an important role for this adaptor in cell signaling.     

APPL Proteins FRET at the BAR: Direct Observation of APPL1 and APPL2 BAR Domain-Mediated Interactions on Cell Membranes Using FRET Microscopy

Background

Human APPL1 and APPL2 are homologous RAB5 effectors whose binding partners include a diverse set of transmembrane receptors, signaling proteins, and phosphoinositides. APPL proteins associate dynamically with endosomal membranes and are proposed to function in endosome-mediated signaling pathways linking the cell surface to the cell nucleus. APPL proteins contain an N-terminal Bin/Amphiphysin/Rvs (BAR) domain, a central pleckstrin homology (PH) domain, and a C-terminal phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domain. Previous structural and biochemical studies have shown that the APPL BAR domains mediate homotypic and heterotypic APPL-APPL interactions and that the APPL1 BAR domain forms crescent-shaped dimers. Although previous studies have shown that APPL minimal BAR domains associate with curved cell membranes, direct interaction between APPL BAR domains on cell membranes in vivo has not been reported.

Methodology

Herein, we used a laser-scanning confocal microscope equipped with a spectral detector to carry out fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) experiments with cyan fluorescent protein/yellow fluorescent protein (CFP/YFP) FRET donor/acceptor pairs to examine interactions between APPL minimal BAR domains at the subcellular level. This comprehensive approach enabled us to evaluate FRET levels in a single cell using three methods: sensitized emission, standard acceptor photobleaching, and sequential acceptor photobleaching. We also analyzed emission spectra to address an outstanding controversy regarding the use of CFP donor/YFP acceptor pairs in FRET acceptor photobleaching experiments, based on reports that photobleaching of YFP converts it into a CFP-like species.

Conclusions

All three methods consistently showed significant FRET between APPL minimal BAR domain FRET pairs, indicating that they interact directly in a homotypic (i.e., APPL1-APPL1 and APPL2-APPL2) and heterotypic (i.e., APPL1-APPL2) manner on curved cell membranes. Furthermore, the results of our experiments did not show photoconversion of YFP into a CFP-like species following photobleaching, supporting the use of CFP donor/YFP acceptor FRET pairs in acceptor photobleaching studies.     

Adaptor protein containing PH domain, PTB domain and leucine zipper (APPL1) regulates the protein level of EGFR by modulating its trafficking

The EGFR-mediated signaling pathway regulates multiple biological processes such as cell proliferation, survival and differentiation. Previously APPL1 (adaptor protein containing PH domain, PTB domain and leucine zipper 1) has been reported to function as a downstream effector of EGF-initiated signaling. Here we demonstrate that APPL1 regulates EGFR protein levels in response to EGF stimulation. Overexpression of APPL1 enhances EGFR stabilization while APPL1 depletion by siRNA reduces EGFR protein levels. APPL1 depletion accelerates EGFR internalization and movement of EGF/EGFR from cell surface to the perinuclear region in response to EGF treatment. Conversely, overexpression of APPL1 decelerates EGFR internalization and translocation of EGF/EGFR to the perinuclear region. Furthermore, APPL1 depletion enhances the activity of Rab5 which is involved in internalization and trafficking of EGFR and inhibition of Rab5 in APPL1-depleted cells restored EGFR levels. Consistently, APPL1 depletion reduced activation of Akt, the downstream signaling effector of EGFR and this is restored by inhibition of Rab5. These findings suggest that APPL1 is required for EGFR signaling by regulation of EGFR stabilities through inhibition of Rab5.     

The endosomal adaptor protein APPL1 impairs the turnover of leading edge adhesions to regulate cell migration

Cell migration is a complex process that requires the integration of signaling events that occur in distinct locations within the cell. Adaptor proteins, which can localize to different subcellular compartments, where they bring together key signaling proteins, are emerging as attractive candidates for controlling spatially coordinated processes. However, their function in regulating cell migration is not well understood. In this study, we demonstrate a novel role for the adaptor protein containing a pleckstrin-homology (PH) domain, phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) domain, and leucine zipper motif 1 (APPL1) in regulating cell migration. APPL1 impairs migration by hindering the turnover of adhesions at the leading edge of cells. The mechanism by which APPL1 regulates migration and adhesion dynamics is by inhibiting the activity of the serine/threonine kinase Akt at the cell edge and within adhesions. In addition, APPL1 significantly decreases the tyrosine phosphorylation of Akt by the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase Src, which is critical for Akt-mediated cell migration. Thus, our results demonstrate an important new function for APPL1 in regulating cell migration and adhesion turnover through a mechanism that depends on Src and Akt. Moreover, our data further underscore the importance of adaptor proteins in modulating the flow of information through signaling pathways.     

APPL1: role in adiponectin signaling and beyond

Adiponectin, an adipokine secreted by the white adipose tissue, plays an important role in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism and controlling energy homeostasis in insulin-sensitive tissues. A decrease in the circulating level of adiponectin has been linked to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, and metabolic syndrome. Adiponectin exerts its effects through two membrane receptors, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2. APPL1 is the first identified protein that interacts directly with adiponectin receptors. APPL1 is an adaptor protein with multiple functional domains, the Bin1/amphiphysin/rvs167, pleckstrin homology, and phosphotyrosine binding domains. The PTB domain of APPL1 interacts directly with the intracellular region of adiponectin receptors. Through this interaction, APPL1 mediates adiponectin signaling and its effects on metabolism. APPL1 also functions in insulin-signaling pathway and is an important mediator of adiponectin-dependent insulin sensitization in skeletal muscle. Adiponectin signaling through APPL1 is necessary to exert its anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects on endothelial cells. APPL1 also acts as a mediator of other signaling pathways by interacting directly with membrane receptors or signaling proteins, thereby playing critical roles in cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell survival, endosomal trafficking, and chromatin remodeling. This review focuses mainly on our current understanding of adiponectin signaling in various tissues, the role of APPL1 in mediating adiponectin signaling, and also its role in the cross-talk between adiponectin/insulin-signaling pathways.     

The interaction of Akt with APPL1 is required for insulin-stimulated Glut4 translocation

APPL1 (adaptor protein containing PH domain, PTB domain, and leucine zipper motif 1) is an Akt/protein kinase B-binding protein involved in signal transduction and membrane trafficking pathways for various receptors, including receptor tyrosine kinases. Here, we establish a role for APPL1 in insulin signaling in which we demonstrate its interaction with Akt2 by co-immunoprecipitation and pulldown assays. In primary rat adipocytes and skeletal muscle, APPL1 and Akt2 formed a complex that was dissociated upon insulin stimulation in both tissues. To investigate possible APPL1 function in adipocytes, we analyzed Akt phosphorylation, 2-deoxyglucose uptake, and Glut4 translocation by immunofluorescence following APPL1 knockdown by small interfering and short hairpin RNAs. We show that APPL1 knockdown suppressed Akt phosphorylation, glucose uptake, and Glut4 translocation. We also tested the effect in 3T3-L1 adipocytes of expressing full-length APPL1 or an N- or a C-terminal APPL1 construct. Interestingly, expression of full-length APPL1 and its N terminus suppressed insulin-stimulated 2-deoxyglucose uptake and Glut4 translocation to roughly the same extent (40-60%). We confirmed by cellular fractionation that Glut4 translocation was substantially blocked in 3T3-L1 adipocytes transfected with full-length APPL1. By cellular fractionation, APPL1 was localized mainly in the cytosol, and it showed a small degree of re-localization to the light microsomes and nucleus in response to insulin. By immunofluorescence, we also show that APPL1 partially co-localized with Glut4. These data suggest that APPL1 plays an important role in insulin-stimulated Glut4 translocation in muscle and adipose tissues and that its N-terminal portion may be critical for APPL1 function.     

Human follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptor interacts with the adaptor protein APPL1 in HEK 293 cells: potential involvement of the PI3K pathway in FSH signaling

Selection of a dominant follicle that will ovulate likely occurs by activation of cell survival pathways and suppression of death-promoting pathways in a mechanism involving FSH and its cognate receptor (FSHR). A yeast two-hybrid screen of an ovarian cDNA library was employed to identify potential interacting partners with human FSHR intracellular loops 1 and 2. Among eight cDNA clones identified in the screen, APPL1 (adaptor protein containing PH domain, PTB domain, and leucine zipper motif; also known as APPL or DIP13alpha) was chosen for further analysis. APPL1 appears to coimmunoprecipitate with FSHR in HEK 293 cells stably expressing FSHR (293/FSHR cells), confirming APPL1 as a potential FSHR-interacting partner. The phosphorylation status of members of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway was also examined because of the proposed role of APPL1 in the antiapoptotic PI3K/Akt pathway. FOXO1a, also referred to as forkhead homologue in rhabdomyosarcoma, is a downstream effector in the pathway and tightly linked to expression of proapoptotic genes. FOXO1a, but not the upstream kinase Akt, is rapidly phosphorylated, and FOXO1a is thereby inactivated when 293/FSHR cells are treated with FSH. In addition, FSHR coimmunoprecipitates with Akt. The identification of APPL1 as a potential interactor with FSHR and the finding that FOXO1a is phosphorylated in response to FSH provide a possible link between FSH and PI3K/Akt signaling, which may help to delineate a survival mechanism whereby FSH selects the dominant follicle to survive.     

APPL1 associates with TrkA and GIPC1 and is required for nerve growth factor-mediated signal transduction

The neurotrophin receptor TrkA plays critical roles in the nervous system by recruiting signaling molecules that activate pathways required for the growth and survival of neurons. Here, we report APPL1 as a TrkA-associated protein. APPL1 and TrkA co-immunoprecipitated in sympathetic neurons. We have identified two routes through which this association can occur. APPL1 was isolated as a binding partner for the TrkA-interacting protein GIPC1 from rat brain lysate by mass spectrometry. The PDZ domain of GIPC1 directly engaged the C-terminal sequence of APPL1. This interaction provides a means through which APPL1 may be recruited to TrkA. In addition, the APPL1 PTB domain bound to TrkA, indicating that APPL1 may associate with TrkA independently of GIPC1. Isolation of endosomal fractions by high-resolution centrifugation determined that APPL1, GIPC1, and phosphorylated TrkA are enriched in the same fractions. Reduction of APPL1 or GIPC1 protein levels suppressed nerve growth factor (NGF)-dependent MEK, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and Akt activation and neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. Together, these results indicate that GIPC1 and APPL1 play a role in TrkA function and suggest that a population of endosomes bearing a complex of APPL1, GIPC1, and activated TrkA may transmit NGF signals.     

APPL1 binds to adiponectin receptors and mediates adiponectin signalling and function

Adiponectin, also known as Acrp30, is an adipose tissue-derived hormone with anti-atherogenic, anti-diabetic and insulin sensitizing properties. Two seven-transmembrane domain-containing proteins, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2, have recently been identified as adiponectin receptors, yet signalling events downstream of these receptors remain poorly defined. By using the cytoplasmic domain of AdipoR1 as bait, we screened a yeast two-hybrid cDNA library derived from human fetal brain. This screening led to the identification of a phosphotyrosine binding domain and a pleckstrin homology domain-containing adaptor protein, APPL1 (adaptor protein containing pleckstrin homology domain, phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domain and leucine zipper motif). APPL1 interacts with adiponectin receptors in mammalian cells and the interaction is stimulated by adiponectin. Overexpression of APPL1 increases, and suppression of APPL1 level reduces, adiponectin signalling and adiponectin-mediated downstream events (such as lipid oxidation, glucose uptake and the membrane translocation of glucose transport 4 (GLUT4)). Adiponectin stimulates the interaction between APPL1 and Rab5 (a small GTPase) interaction, leading to increased GLUT4 membrane translocation. APPL1 also acts as a critical regulator of the crosstalk between adiponectin signalling and insulin signalling pathways. These results demonstrate a key function for APPL1 in adiponectin signalling and provide a molecular mechanism for the insulin sensitizing function of adiponectin.