Rat Resistin ELISA

Resistin is a protein hormone with important effects in metabolism and regulating body weight. Resistin, a product of the RSTN gene, is a peptide hormone belonging to the class of cysteine-rich secreted proteins which is termed the RELM family, and is also described as ADSF (Adipose Tissue-Specific Secretory Factor) and FIZZ3 (Found in Inflammatory Zone). Rat resistin contains 114 amino acids as a prepeptide, and its hydrophobic signal peptide is cleaved before its secretion. Resistin circulates in rat blood as a dimeric protein consisting of two 96 amino acid polypeptides, which are disulfide-linked.

Resistin may be an important link between obesity and insulin resistance. Mouse resistin, specifically produced and secreted by adipocytes, acts on skeletal muscle myocytes, hepatocytes, and adipocytes themselves so that it reduces their sensitivity to insulin. Steppan et al. have suggested that resistin suppresses the ability of insulin to stimulate glucose uptake. They have also suggested that resistin is present at elevated levels in blood of obese mice, and is down regulated by fasting and antidiabetic drugs (TZDs). On the other hand, several studies demonstrated reduced resistin expression in adipose tissue of 2 obese mice and increased levels in leptin deficient ob/ob mice and Zucker diabetic fatty rats in response to TZDs.

Other studies have shown that mouse resistin increases during the differentiation of adipocytes, but it also seems to inhibit adipogenesis. In contrast, the human adipogenic differentiation is likely to be associated with a down regulation of resistin gene expression.

The Rat Resistin ELISA is based on a double-antibody sandwich technique. The wells of the plate supplied with the Rat Resistin ELISA are coated with a rabbit polyclonal antibody specific for rat resistin. This antibody will bind any rat resistin introduced in the wells (sample or standard).