title: Is ARE/poly(U)-binding factor 1 (AUF1) a new player in cytokine-mediated beta cell apoptosis?
abstract: Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease involving the progressive loss of beta cell mass. Cytokines released by immune cells are early contributors to beta cell apoptosis. Thus, an understanding of the signal transduction mechanisms induced by cytokines in beta cells is necessary for the rational design of novel therapies to prevent or to cure this disease. Cytokine-mediated beta cell apoptosis is a complex phenomenon that includes activation of the transcription factors signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 and nuclear factor κB (NFκB), c-Jun N-terminal kinase, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the intrinsic mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. NFκB has both a pro-inflammatory and a pro-apoptotic role in beta cells. One of the mechanisms by which NFκB contributes to beta cell apoptosis is via activation of ER stress. The role for ER stress in beta cell apoptosis is not completely clarified but involves production of C/EBP homologous protein and activation of the intrinsic mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. In this issue of Diabetologia, Roggli et al (DOI 10.1007/s00125-011-2399-7) report on a new player in this elaborate response, the RNA-binding protein ARE/poly(U)-binding factor 1. This commentary discusses these findings and their relevance to the field.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Laboratory of Experimental Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, Building G-E 5th floor, CP 618, 1070 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Vanzela
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Cardozo
mesh_terms: D000081035:Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein D0; D034502:Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein D / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000378:metabolism*; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C000630986:HNRNPD protein, human; D000081035:Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein D0; D034502:Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein D; D020033:Protein Isoforms