# Role of neddylation in diabetes metabolism: potential therapeutic target

**Authors:** Hui Li, Ruiyin Zeng, Jing Liu, Huiwen Wang

PMC · DOI: 10.1007/s40200-025-01837-9 · 2026-01-03

## TL;DR

This paper explores how neddylation, a protein modification process, influences diabetes metabolism and suggests it could be a new treatment target.

## Contribution

The paper identifies neddylation as a novel therapeutic target in diabetes by reviewing its role in glucose metabolism and insulin signaling.

## Key findings

- Neddylation affects insulin signaling through molecules like IRS and PCK1.
- Inhibiting neddylation with MLN4924 reduces hepatic glucose production and improves metabolic phenotypes in mice.
- Neddylation is linked to related diseases like nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and obesity-related metabolic disorders.

## Abstract

The study aimed to explore the role of neddylation in diabetes metabolism and its potential as a therapeutic target. Given the increasing global diabetes burden and limitations of current treatments, the research question was to determine how neddylation affects diabetes pathophysiology and if targeting it could offer new treatment strategies.

The authors gathered data from a comprehensive review of existing research on neddylation in diabetes, including studies on insulin signaling, glucose and lipid metabolism, and related diseases. Experimental models, including diabetic mice and granulosa cells, and pharmacological interventions like MLN4924 were also thoroughly reviewed. By collating and evaluating these sources of information, the authors analyzed the influence of neddylation on diverse molecules and pathways implicated in diabetes.

Neddylation is involved in multiple aspects of diabetes. It affects insulin signaling by modifying insulin receptor substrate (IRS), inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (PCK1), and other molecules. Inhibiting neddylation with drugs like MLN4924 can reduce hepatic glucose generation, alleviate hyperglycemia, and improve metabolic phenotypes in mouse models. Neddylation is also associated with related diseases such as familial hyperkalemic hypertension, obesity - related metabolic disorders, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis combined with type 2 diabetes.

Neddylation plays a significant role in glucose metabolism regulation and diabetes pathogenesis. Targeting neddylation, especially with inhibitors like MLN4924, shows promise as a new therapeutic strategy for diabetes. Further research on neddylation in diabetes is needed to solidify its potential in treatment and management.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** MLN4924 (PubChem CID 16720766)
- **Diseases:** diabetes (MONDO:0005015), familial hyperkalemic hypertension (MONDO:0019162), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (MONDO:0007027)
- **Species:** Mus musculus (taxon 10090)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** Pck1 (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1, cytosolic) [NCBI Gene 18534] {aka PEPCK, PEPCK-C, Pck-1}
- **Diseases:** hyperglycemia (MESH:D006943), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (MESH:D065626), hypertension (MESH:D006973), metabolic disorders (MESH:D008659), diabetes (MESH:D003920), obesity (MESH:D009765), type 2 diabetes (MESH:D003924)
- **Chemicals:** glucose (MESH:D005947), IP6 (MESH:D010833), lipid (MESH:D008055), MLN4924 (MESH:C539933)
- **Species:** Mus musculus (house mouse, species) [taxon 10090]

## Figures

3 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12764712/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12764712