title: Failure of beta-cell adaptation in type 2 diabetes: Lessons from animal models.
abstract: The pancreatic beta-cell adapts to increased nutrient availability and insulin resistance by increasing its function and mass. These processes are orchestrated by signals derived from nutrient metabolism, hormones and cytokines. Their end-result is the regulation of insulin secretion and biosynthesis, and beta-cell proliferation and apoptosis. This review focuses on the mechanisms involved in beta-cell nutrient sensing and adaptation and the potential causes of beta-cell dysfunction and death in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Understanding the mechanisms that regulate adequate beta-cell adaptation and the natural history of beta-cell failure is of utmost importance for the development of novel disease modifying treatments.
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology and Metabolism Service, Department of Medicine, Hadassah - Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel. nuritk@hadassah.org.il
authors.forename: Nurit
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kaiser
authors.forename: Gil
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Leibowitz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000473:pathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D011384:Proinsulin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011384:Proinsulin