Figure 1. The various ADIPONECTIN species affect liver hepatocytes and skeletal
muscle myocytes differently. Only the high molecular weight (HMW) multimer and the
hexamer forms of Adiponectin act on hepatocytes via AMP-activated protein kinase
(AMPK) to inhibit glucose production and reduce intracellular triglycerides (TGs) and
insulin resistance. By contrast, the Cys39Ser mutant trimer and globular domain
mutants, as well as all wild-type Adiponectin species, act on myocytes via AMPK to
stimulate glucose uptake and reduce intracellular TGs and insulin resistance. Note: figure
adapted from Waki, H. et al. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278:40352.]