Researchers discover mechanism of insulin production that can lead to better treatment for diabetes

How a specific gene within the pancreas affects secretion of insulin has been discovered by researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in collaboration with Japanese and American universities. Their work opens the way for a new understanding of possible paths to battle diabetes and diabetes-related health problems, which are on the rise all over the world.

Blood glucose levels are tightly regulated by secretion of insulin from beta cells in the pancreas. Defective insulin secretion results in poorly regulated blood glucose levels and diabetes.

The work of the multi-national research team explored the role of LKB1, a gene involved in many cellular functions, whose role in the pancreas was not examined before.

Specifically, they studied the implications of beta cell-specific loss of the LKB1 gene, using a mouse model system. They were able to show that eliminating this gene from beta cells causes the production and secretion of more insulin than normal beta cells, resulting in an enhanced response to increases in blood glucose levels.

The findings have potentially great implications for those suffering from diabetes (excessive blood sugar) due to insufficient production of insulin in the pancreas.

Since it was shown that LKB1 negatively regulates both insulin content and secretion, the way has now been opened to possible development of a novel therapy that would limit the presence of this gene in pancreas beta cells, thus enhancing insulin secretion.

###

The researchers involved in the project, whose findings were published recently in the journal Cell Metabolism, were led by Dr. Yuval Dor of the Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada of the Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School and included students Zvi Granot, Avital Swisa, Judith Magenheim and Miri Stolovitch-Rain, as well as scientists from Kobe University in Japan, and American researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, Washington University in St. Louis and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Contact: Jerry Barach

972-258-82904
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

RELATED STORIES:
Diabetes’ link to eating disorders explored   New alterations found in young adults with type 2 diabetes   Lunchtime coffee break best for fighting diabetes   A1c diabetes test better indicator of risk: study   Nap lovers show higher diabetes rate   Twice as many women to be diagnosed with gestational diabetes   Stress linked to diabetics’ memory loss   Cholesterol drugs raise diabetes risk, just a bit   Insulin Regulates Beta Cell Function in Healthy Humans   ‘Artificial pancreas’ may be option for diabetics   American Association Of Clinical Endocrinologists Approves New Diagnosis For Diabetes   Diabetes patients rank health concerns differently than their doctors, U-M survey shows

Comments

[ + Post Your Own ]

Now you're in the public comment zone. What follows is not Armenian Medical Network's stuff; it comes from other people and we don't vouch for it. A reminder: By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.

There are no comments for this entry yet. [ + Comment here + ]