Disclosed is the novel myokine known as myonectin (CTRP15), an isolated nucleic acid encoding the myonectin (CTRP15) gene, and the amino acid sequence encoding the myonectin (CTRP15) protein. Methods of isolation of the nucleic acid, protein, polypeptides and methods of making antibodies to the myonectin (CTRP15) protein are provided. The use of myonectin (CTRP15) in the modulation of lipid and/or glucose metabolism, suppressing the expression of autophagy genes, inhibiting LC3 lipidation and autophagosome-dependent p62 degradation, and activating the Akt/mTOR pathway is also provided.
