Disruption of growth factor receptor-binding protein 10 in the pancreas enhances β-cell proliferation and protects mice from streptozotocin-induced β-cell apoptosis

Diabetes. 2012 Dec;61(12):3189-98. doi: 10.2337/db12-0249. Epub 2012 Aug 24.

Abstract

Defects in insulin secretion and reduction in β-cell mass are associated with type 2 diabetes in humans, and understanding the basis for these dysfunctions may reveal strategies for diabetes therapy. In this study, we show that pancreas-specific knockout of growth factor receptor-binding protein 10 (Grb10), which is highly expressed in pancreas and islets, leads to elevated insulin/IGF-1 signaling in islets, enhanced β-cell mass and insulin content, and increased insulin secretion in mice. Pancreas-specific disruption of Grb10 expression also improved glucose tolerance in mice fed with a high-fat diet and protected mice from streptozotocin-induced β-cell apoptosis and body weight loss. Our study has identified Grb10 as an important regulator of β-cell proliferation and demonstrated that reducing the expression level of Grb10 could provide a novel means to increase β-cell mass and reduce β-cell apoptosis. This is critical for effective therapeutic treatment of both type 1 and 2 diabetes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Female
  • GRB10 Adaptor Protein / genetics
  • GRB10 Adaptor Protein / metabolism*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Pancreas / metabolism*
  • Streptozocin / pharmacology*

Substances

  • GRB10 Adaptor Protein
  • Streptozocin