title: Emerging roles of non-coding RNAs in pancreatic β-cell function and dysfunction.
abstract: Pancreatic β-cells play a central role in glucose homeostasis by tightly regulating insulin release according to the organism's demand. Impairment of β-cell function due to hostile environment, such as hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia, or due to autoimmune destruction of β-cells, results in diabetes onset. Both environmental factors and genetic predisposition are known to be involved in the development of the disease, but the exact mechanisms leading to β-cell dysfunction and death remain to be characterized. Non-coding RNA molecules, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), have been suggested to be necessary for proper β-cell development and function. The present review aims at summarizing the most recent findings about the role of non-coding RNAs in the control of β-cell functions and their involvement in diabetes. We will also provide a perspective view of the future research directions in the field of non-coding RNAs. In particular, we will discuss the implications for diabetes research of the discovery of a new communication mechanism based on cell-to-cell miRNA transfer. Moreover, we will highlight the emerging interconnections between miRNAs and epigenetics and the possible role of long non-coding RNAs in the control of β-cell activities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular Biology and Morphology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guay
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jacovetti
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nesca
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Motterle
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tugay
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Regazzi
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005260:Female; D020868:Gene Silencing; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D022661:RNA, Untranslated / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs; D022661:RNA, Untranslated