PERK eIF2 alpha kinase is required to regulate the viability of the exocrine pancreas in mice.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Deficiency of the PERK eIF2 alpha kinase in humans and mice results in postnatal exocrine pancreatic atrophy as well as severe growth and metabolic anomalies in other organs and tissues. To determine if the exocrine pancreatic atrophy is due to a cell-autonomous defect, the Perk gene was specifically ablated in acinar cells of the exocrine pancreas in mice.

Results

We show that expression of PERK in the acinar cells is required to maintain their viability but is not required for normal protein synthesis and secretion. Exocrine pancreatic atrophy in PERK-deficient mice was previously attributed to uncontrolled ER-stress followed by apoptotic cell death based on studies in cultured fibroblasts. However, we have found no evidence for perturbations in the endoplasmic

SUBMITTER: Iida K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2072952 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature