Disruption of Tsc2 in pancreatic beta cells induces beta cell mass expansion and improved glucose tolerance in a TORC1-dependent manner.

ABSTRACT: Regulation of pancreatic beta cell mass and function is a major determinant for the development of diabetes. Growth factors and nutrients are important regulators of beta cell mass and function. The signaling pathways by which these growth signals modulate these processes have not been completely elucidated. Tsc2 is an attractive candidate to modulate these processes, because it is a converging point for growth factor and nutrient signals. In these experiments, we generated mice with conditional deletion of Tsc2 in beta cells (betaTsc2(-/-)). These mice exhibited decreased glucose levels and hyperinsulinemia in the fasting and fed state. Improved glucose tolerance in these mice was observed as early as 4 weeks of age and was still present in 52-week-old mice. Deletion of Tsc2 in beta cells

SUBMITTER: Rachdi L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2453727 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature