Reduced Plasma Glucose by Asparagine Synthetase Knockdown in the Mouse Liver

Abstract

Expression of the asparagine synthetase gene is dependent on extracellular glucose concentration. This gene was knocked-down in livers of male Balb/c mice by a hydrodynamic tail vein injection of small interfering RNA (siRNA) against the gene. This knockdown resulted in a significant decrease in plasma glucose concentration. These results suggested that asparagine synthetase is a novel protein that regulates plasma glucose levels.