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Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) are known as incretins, which are released from the gut into the bloodstream postprandially and enhance glucose-dependent insulin secretion via activation of the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and the GIP receptor (GIPR), respectively. Several GLP-1R agonists (GLP-1RA) with improved pharmacokinetic properties have been developed and are currently in clinical use to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. In addition to improving glucose metabolism, GLP-1RAs potently suppress appetite and body weight. These anorectic and body weight-lowering effects are thought to be mediated by central mechanisms, as indicated also by human studies. However, the neuronal substrates that mediate these effects are still poorly understood.

Alessia Costa, Minrong Ai, Nicolas Nunn, Isabella Culotta, ... Giuseppe D'Agostino

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A point mutation in the Pdia6 gene results in loss of pancreatic β-cell identity causing overt diabetes

Nirav Florian Chhabra, Anna–Lena Amend, Aimée Bastidas-Ponce, Sibylle Sabrautzki, ... Martin Hrabě de Angelis

Objective

Protein disulfide isomerases (PDIs) are oxidoreductases that are involved in catalyzing the formation and rearrangement of disulfide bonds during protein folding. One of the PDI members is the PDI-associated 6 (PDIA6) protein, which has been shown to play a vital role in β-cell dysfunction and diabetes. However, very little is known about the function of this protein in β-cells in vivo. This study aimed to describe the consequences of a point mutation in Pdia6 on β-cell development and function.

Methods

We generated an ENU mouse model carrying a missense mutation (Phe175Ser) in the second thioredoxin domain of the Pdia6 gene. Using biochemical and molecular tools, we determined the effects of the mutation on the β-cell development at embryonic day (E)18.5 and β-cell identity as well as function at postnatal stages.

Results

Mice homozygous for the Phe175Ser (F175S) mutation were mildly hyperglycemic at weaning and subsequently became hypoinsulinemic and overtly diabetic at the adult stage. Although no developmental phenotype was detected during embryogenesis, mutant mice displayed reduced insulin-expressing β-cells at P14 and P21 without any changes in the rate of cell death and proliferation. Further analysis revealed an increase in BiP and the PDI family member PDIA4, but without any concomitant apoptosis and cell death. Instead, the expression of prominent markers of β-cell maturation and function, such as Ins2, Mafa, and Slc2a2, along with increased expression of α-cell markers, Mafb, and glucagon was observed in adult mice, suggesting loss of β-cell identity.

Conclusions

The results demonstrate that a global Pdia6 mutation renders mice hypoinsulinemic and hyperglycemic. This occurs due to the loss of pancreatic β-cell function and identity, suggesting a critical role of PDIA6 specifically for β-cells.

Articles in Press

A point mutation in the Pdia6 gene results in loss of pancreatic β-cell identity causing overt diabetes

Nirav Florian Chhabra, Anna–Lena Amend, Aimée Bastidas-Ponce, Sibylle Sabrautzki, ... Martin Hrabě de Angelis

Objective

Protein disulfide isomerases (PDIs) are oxidoreductases that are involved in catalyzing the formation and rearrangement of disulfide bonds during protein folding. One of the PDI members is the PDI-associated 6 (PDIA6) protein, which has been shown to play a vital role in β-cell dysfunction and diabetes. However, very little is known about the function of this protein in β-cells in vivo. This study aimed to describe the consequences of a point mutation in Pdia6 on β-cell development and function.

Methods

We generated an ENU mouse model carrying a missense mutation (Phe175Ser) in the second thioredoxin domain of the Pdia6 gene. Using biochemical and molecular tools, we determined the effects of the mutation on the β-cell development at embryonic day (E)18.5 and β-cell identity as well as function at postnatal stages.

Results

Mice homozygous for the Phe175Ser (F175S) mutation were mildly hyperglycemic at weaning and subsequently became hypoinsulinemic and overtly diabetic at the adult stage. Although no developmental phenotype was detected during embryogenesis, mutant mice displayed reduced insulin-expressing β-cells at P14 and P21 without any changes in the rate of cell death and proliferation. Further analysis revealed an increase in BiP and the PDI family member PDIA4, but without any concomitant apoptosis and cell death. Instead, the expression of prominent markers of β-cell maturation and function, such as Ins2, Mafa, and Slc2a2, along with increased expression of α-cell markers, Mafb, and glucagon was observed in adult mice, suggesting loss of β-cell identity.

Conclusions

The results demonstrate that a global Pdia6 mutation renders mice hypoinsulinemic and hyperglycemic. This occurs due to the loss of pancreatic β-cell function and identity, suggesting a critical role of PDIA6 specifically for β-cells.

2020 impact factor: 7.4

The 60 Second Metabolist

In this section authors briefly report on their work recently published in Molecular Metabolism.

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