Hepatokines (Greek ''heapto-'', liver; and ''-kinos'', movement) are

protein Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, respo ...

s produced by

liver The liver is a major Organ (anatomy), organ only found in vertebrates which performs many essential biological functions such as detoxification of the organism, and the Protein biosynthesis, synthesis of proteins and biochemicals necessary for ...

cells (

hepatocyte A hepatocyte is a cell of the main parenchymal tissue of the liver. Hepatocytes make up 80% of the liver's mass. These cells are involved in: * Protein synthesis * Protein storage * Transformation of carbohydrates * Synthesis of cholesterol, ...

s) that are

secreted 440px Secretion is the movement of material from one point to another, such as a secreted chemical substance from a cell or gland. In contrast, excretion is the removal of certain substances or waste products from a cell or organism. The classical ...

into the circulation and function as

hormone A hormone (from the Greek participle , "setting in motion") is a class of signaling molecules in multicellular organisms that are sent to distant organs by complex biological processes to regulate physiology and behavior. Hormones are required ...

s across the organism. Research is mostly focused on hepatokines that play a role in the regulation of metabolic diseases such as

diabetes Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by a high blood sugar level ( hyperglycemia) over a prolonged period of time. Symptoms often include frequent urination, increased thirst and increased ap ...

and

fatty liver Fatty liver disease (FLD), also known as hepatic steatosis, is a condition where excess fat builds up in the liver. Often there are no or few symptoms. Occasionally there may be tiredness or pain in the upper right side of the abdomen. Complicat ...

and include:

Adropin Adropin is a peptide encoded by the energy homeostasis-associated gene ENHO, which is highly conserved across mammals. Adropin's biological role was first described in mice by a group led by Andrew Butler, as a protein hormone, secreted from the ...

ANGPTL4 Angiopoietin-like 4 is a protein that in human is encoded by the ''ANGPTL4'' gene. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been described. This gene was previously referred to as ANGPTL2, HFARP, PGAR, or FIAF but ...

Fetuin-A alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein (AHSG, Alpha-2-Heremans-Schmid Glycoprotein) also known as fetuin-A is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''AHSG'' gene. Fetuin-A belongs to the fetuin class of plasma binding proteins and is more abundant in feta ...

Fetuin-B Fetuin-B is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''FETUB'' gene. The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the fetuin Fetuins are blood proteins that are made in the liver and secreted into the bloodstream. They belong to a large gro ...

, FGF-21, Hepassocin,

LECT2 Leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin-2 (LECT2) is a protein first described in 1996 as a chemotactic factor for neutrophils, i.e. it stimulated human neutrophils to move directionally in an in vitro assay system. The protein was detected in and puri ...

, RBP4,

Selenoprotein P In molecular biology, the protein domain selenoprotein P (SelP) is the only known eukaryotic selenoprotein that contains multiple selenocysteine (Sec) residues. It is a secreted glycoprotein, often found in the plasma. Its precise function remain ...

Sex hormone-binding globulin Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) or sex steroid-binding globulin (SSBG) is a glycoprotein that binds to androgens and estrogens. When produced by the Sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubules of the testis, it has also been called androgen-bi ...

References

Endocrinology Liver Peptide hormones {{Protein-stub

See also

References