Description
Activin receptor-like kinase (ALK) 7 is a type I serine/threonine kinase receptor of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta family of proteins. ALK7 is most abundantly expressed in human brain, pancreas and colon. It negatively regulates glucose-stimulated insulin release in β-cells and plays an important role in regulating the functional plasticity of pancreatic islets. ALK7 also has an important role in the regulation of body fat deposition. These has implications for the development of treatments against diabetes and obesity