The Polycomb protein, Bmi1, regulates insulin sensitivity.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The Polycomb Repressive Complexes (PRC) 1 and 2 function to epigenetically repress target genes. The PRC1 component, Bmi1, plays a crucial role in maintenance of glucose homeostasis and beta cell mass through repression of the Ink4a/Arf locus. Here we have explored the role of Bmi1 in regulating glucose homeostasis in the adult animal, which had not been previously reported due to poor postnatal survival of Bmi1 (-/-) mice.

Methods

The metabolic phenotype of Bmi1 (+/-) mice was characterized, both in vivo and ex vivo. Glucose and insulin tolerance tests and hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps were performed. The insulin signaling pathway was assessed at the protein and transcript level.

Results

Here we report a negative correlation between Bmi1 levels and ins

SUBMITTER: Cannon CE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4216405 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature