Role for activating transcription factor 3 in stress-induced beta-cell apoptosis.

ABSTRACT: Activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) is a stress-inducible gene and encodes a member of the ATF/CREB family of transcription factors. However, the physiological significance of ATF3 induction by stress signals is not clear. In this report, we describe several lines of evidence supporting a role of ATF3 in stress-induced beta-cell apoptosis. First, ATF3 is induced in beta cells by signals relevant to beta-cell destruction: proinflammatory cytokines, nitric oxide, and high concentrations of glucose and palmitate. Second, induction of ATF3 is mediated in part by the NF-kappaB and Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase signaling pathways, two stress-induced pathways implicated in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Third, transgenic mice expressing ATF3 in beta cells develop ab

SUBMITTER: Hartman MG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC480886 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature