Human Health

A large percentage of all prescription drugs have been derived from bio-organisms. Of these drugs, many of them were based on compounds discovered in plants. FuturaGene partners have recently discovered a protein abundant in plants, that is able to reduce glucose levels in type II diabetic mice.  Researchers from institutions in the USA, Korea, and Japan have discovered and proven the common protein, Osmotin, that protects plants from fungal infection mimics the activity of a hormone in mammals that is linked to weight loss.  And in addition to type 2 diabetes, Osmotin is also believed to play a role in mitigating heart disease, and obesity.

Osmotin is a member of a large anti-fungal protein family that is found in vegetables and fruits. It is a ligand for the yeast homolog of adiponectin receptor and activator of the AMPK signaling system by receptor binding. Osmotin is a highly stable protein that is absorbed by the digestive tract. This raises new possibilities for developing an orally administered plant derived treatment for the metabolic syndrome.