ENSA belongs to a highlyconserved cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein (ARPP) family. This proteinwas identified as an endogenous ligand for the sulfonylureareceptor, ABCC8/SUR1. ABCC8 is the regulatory subunit of theATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel, which is located on theplasma membrane of pancreatic beta cells and plays a key role inthe control of insulin release from pancreatic beta cells. Thisprotein is thought to be an endogenous regulator of KATP channels.In vitro studies have demonstrated that this protein modulatesinsulin secretion through the interaction with KATP channel, andthis gene has been proposed as a candidate gene for type 2diabetes.