Research Interests
Beta cell dysfunction and insulin resistance are two major pathophysiological defects in type 2 diabetes (T2D). S-palmitoylation/S-acylation describes the reversible attachment of palmitate onto cysteine residues. Depalmitoylation refers to the removal of palmitate from cysteines, which is mainly mediated by acyl-protein thioesterase 1 (APT1). I am focusing on the physiological role of APT1 in T2D. I am trying to figure out how APT1 promotes hyperinsulinemia under the normal physiological condition and subsequent hypoinsulinemia followed by beta cell failure under the T2D condition.