Diabetic pancreatic beta cells ARNT all they should be.
A complex network of interacting transcription factors plays a critical role in normal pancreatic beta cell function, with mutations in certain transcription factor genes known to cause diabetes. In a recent issue of Cell, Gunton et al.(2005) demonstrate a role for the transcription factor ARNT/HIF1beta (hydrocarbon nuclear receptor translocator/hypoxia-inducible factor 1 beta) in normal beta cell function. ARNT expression is reduced in diabetic human islets and beta cell-specific ARNT knockout mice show the impaired glucose tolerance and abnormal insulin secretion that are characteristic of type 2 diabetes.
Levisetti
Matteo G
MG
Department of Medicine Washington University School of Medicine St.Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
Polonsky
Kenneth S
KS
D000818:Animals; D051784:Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
C497396:ARNT protein, human; C497397:Arnt protein, mouse; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D007328:Insulin; D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon; D014157:Transcription Factors; D051784:Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator