Vanin 1: Its Physiological Function and Role in Diseases

• Main Authors: Roberta Bartucci, Anna Salvati, Peter Olinga, Ykelien L. Boersma
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-08-01
• Series: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Subjects: vanin 1; oxidative stress; PPAR-alpha; PPAR-gamma; urinary biomarker; pro-inflammatory role; protective role
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/20/16/3891

The enzyme vascular non-inflammatory molecule-1 (vanin 1) is highly expressed at gene and protein level in many organs, such as the liver, intestine, and kidney. Its major function is related to its pantetheinase activity; vanin 1 breaks down pantetheine in cysteamine and pantothenic acid, a precursor of coenzyme A. Indeed, its physiological role seems strictly related to coenzyme A metabolism, lipid metabolism, and energy production. In recent years, many studies have elucidated the role of vanin 1 under physiological conditions in relation to oxidative stress and inflammation. Vanin’s enzymatic activity was found to be of key importance in certain diseases, either for its protective effect or as a sensitizer, depending on the diseased organ. In this review, we discuss the role of vanin 1 in the liver, kidney, intestine, and lung under physiological as well as pathophysiological conditions. Thus, we provide a more complete understanding and overview of its complex function and contribution to some specific pathologies.