Hebrew University researchers discover insulin production mechanism that could lead to better diabetes treatment

Published: 13-Nov-2009

How a specific gene in the pancreas affects secretion of insulin has been discovered by researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in collaboration with Japanese and American universities. Their work is expected to open the way for a new understanding of possible ways to overcome diabetes and diabetes-related health problems, which are rising all over the world.


How a specific gene in the pancreas affects secretion of insulin has been discovered by researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in collaboration with Japanese and American universities. Their work is expected to open the way for a new understanding of possible ways to overcome diabetes and diabetes-related health problems, which are rising all over the world.

Blood glucose levels are tightly regulated by secretion of insulin from beta cells in the pancreas. Defective insulin secretion results in poorly regulated blood glucose levels and diabetes.

The multi-national research team explored the role of LKB1, a gene involved in many cellular functions, whose role in the pancreas has not been examined previously. They studied the implications of beta cell-specific loss of the LKB1 gene, using a mouse model system.

The researchers were able to show that eliminating LKB1 from beta cells causes the production and secretion of more insulin than normal beta cells, resulting in an enhanced response to increases in blood glucose levels.

The findings could have important implications for those suffering from diabetes due to insufficient production of insulin in the pancreas. As LKB1 negatively regulates both insulin content and secretion, the way has now been opened for a new therapy that would limit the presence of LKB1 in pancreas beta cells, thus enhancing insulin secretion.

Dr Yuval Dor of the Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada of the Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School led the research team, which collaborated with scientists from Kobe University in Japan, and US researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, Washington University in St Louis and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Details are published in the journal Cell Metabology.

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