The cysteine-rich, adipose tissue-specific, secretory factor resistin (resistance to Insulin) also known as ADSF, is a secreted hormone that potentially links obesity to diabetes. Resistin is rich in serine and cysteine residues and contains a unique cysteine repeat motif. Resistin and the resistin-like molecules share the characteristic cysteine composition and other signature features. Resistin-like 伪 is a secreted protein that has restricted tissue distribution and is most highly expressed in adipose tissue. Another family member, resistinlike 尾, is a secreted protein expressed only in the gastrointestinal tract, particularly in the colon, in both mouse and human. Resistin-like 尾 expression is highest in proliferative epithelial cells and is markedly increased in tumors, suggesting a role in intestinal proliferation.