Adiponectin is an adipocyte-specific secretory protein that circulates in serum as a hexamer
of relatively low molecular weight (LMW) and a larger multimeric structure of high molecular
weight (HMW). Serum levels of the protein correlate with systemic insulin sensitivity. The full-
length protein affects hepatic gluconeogenesis through improved insulin sensitivity, and a
proteolytic fragment of adiponectin stimulates β oxidation in muscle. Here, we show that the
ratio, and not the absolute amounts, between these two oligomeric forms (HMW to LMW) is …