Angiopoietin-like protein 6 (ANGPTL6)

Angiopoietin-like protein 6 (ANGPTL6) is a secreted glycoprotein mainly produced by the liver, but also expressed in brain, adrenal glands, and hematopoietic cells. It is structurally related to angiopoietins and features an N-terminal coiled-coil domain and a C-terminal fibrinogen-like domain, but does not bind the classic angiopoietin receptors like Tie2. ANGPTL6 regulates angiogenesis by promoting endothelial cell proliferation and migration and supports wound healing and skin regeneration. Beyond its angiogenic functions, ANGPTL6 critically modulates lipid, glucose, and energy metabolism: mice without ANGPTL6 develop obesity, insulin resistance, and lower energy expenditure, while overexpression has the opposite effects. Elevated serum ANGPTL6 is associated with risk of metabolic syndrome and may serve as a biomarker for metabolic or liver disease. It is implicated as an independent risk and prognostic factor in hepatocellular carcinoma and is being explored as a therapeutic target and biomarker in metabolic and oncologic diseases. Direct drug targeting of ANGPTL6 is preclinical and no interacting drugs are currently known.

Other names

Angiopoietin-related protein 6Angiopoietin-related growth factorAGFARP5Angiopoietin-like 6Angiopoietin-related protein 5