In the recent years there were numerous evidences that
C-peptide, which was previously considered as a product of
insulin biosynthesis, is one of the key regulators of physiological processes.
C-peptide via heterotrimeric G(i/o)
protein-coupled receptors activates a wide range of intracellular effector
proteins and
transcription factors and, thus, controls the inflammatory and neurotrophic processes,
pain sensitivity, cognitive function, macro- and microcirculation, glomerular filtration. These effects of
C-peptide are mainly expressed in its absolute or relative deficiency occurred in
type 1 diabetes mellitus and they are less pronounced when the level of
C-peptide is close to normal. Replacement
therapy with
C-peptide prevents many complications of
type 1 diabetes, such as
atherosclerosis, diabetic
peripheral neuropathy, and nephropathy.
C-peptide interacts with the
insulin hexamer complexes and induces their dissociation and, as a result, regulates the functional activity of the
insulin signaling system. At the same time,
C-peptide at the concentrations above physiological may demonstrate pro-inflammatory effects on the endothelial cells and cause atherosclerotic changes in the vessels, which should be considered in the study of pathogenic mechanisms of complications of
type 2 diabetes mellitus, where the level of
C peptide is increased, as well as in the development of approaches for
C-peptide application in clinic. This review is devoted contemporary achievements and unsolved problems in the study of
C-peptide, as an important regulator of physiological and biochemical processes.