Functional beta-cell maturation is marked by an increased glucose threshold and by expression of urocortin 3.

ABSTRACT: Insulin-expressing cells that have been differentiated from human pluripotent stem cells in vitro lack the glucose responsiveness characteristic of mature beta cells. Beta-cell maturation in mice was studied to find genetic markers that enable screens for factors that induce bona fide beta cells in vitro. We find that functional beta-cell maturation is marked by an increase in the glucose threshold for insulin secretion and by expression of the gene urocortin 3.

SUBMITTER: Blum B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4617627 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature