Project description:Aggregation of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) into islet amyloid results in β-cell toxicity in human type 2 diabetes. To determine the effect of islet amyloid formation on gene expression, we performed RNA-seq analysis using cultured islets from either wild-type mice (mIAPP), which are not amyloid prone, or mice that express human IAPP (hIAPP), which develop amyloid. Comparing mIAPP and hIAPP islets, 5025 genes were differentially regulated (2439 upregulated and 2586 downregulated). When considering gene sets (reactomes), 248 and 52 pathways were up- and downregulated, respectively. Of the top 100 genes upregulated under two conditions of amyloid formation, seven were common. Of these seven genes, only steroidogenic acute regulatory protein AQ2 (Star) demonstrated no effect of glucose per se to modify its expression. We confirmed this differential gene expression using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and also demonstrated the presence of StAR protein in islets containing amyloid. Furthermore, Star is a part of reactomes representing metabolism, metabolism of lipids, metabolism of steroid hormones, metabolism of steroids and pregnenolone biosynthesis. Thus, examining gene expression that is differentially regulated by islet amyloid has the ability to identify new molecules involved in islet physiology and pathology applicable to type 2 diabetes.
Project description:The islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), a pancreas-produced peptide, has beneficial functions in its monomeric form. However, IAPP aggregates, related to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), are toxic not only for the pancreas, but also for the brain. In the latter, IAPP is often found in vessels, where it is highly toxic for pericytes, cells that have contractile properties and regulate capillary blood flow. The aim of this study is to assess whether IAPP oligomers alter the morphology and contractility of pericytes using an in vitro brain vasculature model and evaluate the association between IAPP and capillary contraction in human brain tissue.
Project description:p53 mutation and its subsequent loss of function along with gain of oncogenic functions is associated with cancer. However, the exact mechanism of how altered p53 acts as an oncogene is not clear yet. Recently, it was suggested that p53 aggregation and amyloid formation leads to both loss of tumor suppressive function and gain of oncogenic functions in cells. In this study, we directly demonstrate that wild-type p53 amyloid formation imparts oncogenic properties to normal cells. Cells with p53 amyloid aggregates show enhanced survival, apoptotic resistance with increased proliferation and migration rate. We further establish the tumorigenic potential of p53 amyloid containing cells in a mice xenograft model. Furthermore, these tumors tested positive for p53 amyloid aggregates. Comprehensive gene-expression analysis suggests that p53 amyloid formation triggers aberrant expression of pro-oncogenes while downregulating the tumor suppressor associated genes. Interestingly, disaggregating p53 rescues the cellular transformation and also inhibits tumor development in mice. We propose that wild-type p53 amyloid formation can potentially contribute to initiation of tumor development.
Project description:Complement inhibitor C4b-binding protein (C4BP) is synthesized in liver and pancreas and composed of 7 identical alpha chains and one unique beta chain. We showed previously that C4BP binds islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) and affects fibril formation in vitro. Now we found that polymeric C4BP inhibited lysis of human erythrocytes incubated with monomeric IAPP while no erythrocyte lysis was observed after incubation with preformed IAPP fibrils. In contrast, monomeric alpha chain of C4BP had significantly reduced activity. Further, addition of monomeric IAPP to a rat insulinoma cell line (INS-1) resulted in decreased cell viability, which was restored in the presence of physiological concentrations of C4BP. Accordingly, addition of C4BP rescued the ability of INS-1 cells and isolated rat islets to respond to glucose stimulation with insulin secretion, which was impaired in the presence of IAPP alone. C4BP was internalized together with IAPP into INS-1 cells and therefore we aimed to study its effect on gene expression. Pathway analyses of mRNA expression microarray data indicated that cells exposed to C4BP and IAPP in comparison to IAPP alone increased expression of genes involved in cholesterol synthesis. Depletion of cholesterol through methyl-β-cyclodextrin or cholesterol oxidase abolished the protective effect of C4BP on IAPP cytotoxicity of INS-1 cells. Also, inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-kinase but not NF-κB had a similar effect. Taken together, one of the mechanisms by which C4BP protects beta-cells from IAPP cytotoxicity is by enhancing cholesterol synthesis. The INS-1 cells were grown as 5 separate clones for 10 passages before plating in a 12-well plate (Nunc) at 100.000 cells per well and grown in complete RPMI 1640 medium to 70% confluency for approximately 48 h. The cells were then challenged by adding 77 μM monomeric IAPP alone or together with C4BP (0.6 μM). DMSO (1%) used as solvent for IAPP as well as C4BP (0.6 μM) alone were used as controls. RNA was extracted after 10h incubation and analysis carried out using Rat Gene 2.0 array chip (Affymetrix).
Project description:loss of Men1 in mouse pancreatic islet cells alters the epigenetic landscape of a subset of target genes. H3K4me3 ChIP-seq from either mouse pancreatic islets or mouse pancreatic islet tumors harvested at different stages.
Project description:Complement inhibitor C4b-binding protein (C4BP) is synthesized in liver and pancreas and composed of 7 identical alpha chains and one unique beta chain. We showed previously that C4BP binds islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) and affects fibril formation in vitro. Now we found that polymeric C4BP inhibited lysis of human erythrocytes incubated with monomeric IAPP while no erythrocyte lysis was observed after incubation with preformed IAPP fibrils. In contrast, monomeric alpha chain of C4BP had significantly reduced activity. Further, addition of monomeric IAPP to a rat insulinoma cell line (INS-1) resulted in decreased cell viability, which was restored in the presence of physiological concentrations of C4BP. Accordingly, addition of C4BP rescued the ability of INS-1 cells and isolated rat islets to respond to glucose stimulation with insulin secretion, which was impaired in the presence of IAPP alone. C4BP was internalized together with IAPP into INS-1 cells and therefore we aimed to study its effect on gene expression. Pathway analyses of mRNA expression microarray data indicated that cells exposed to C4BP and IAPP in comparison to IAPP alone increased expression of genes involved in cholesterol synthesis. Depletion of cholesterol through methyl-β-cyclodextrin or cholesterol oxidase abolished the protective effect of C4BP on IAPP cytotoxicity of INS-1 cells. Also, inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-kinase but not NF-κB had a similar effect. Taken together, one of the mechanisms by which C4BP protects beta-cells from IAPP cytotoxicity is by enhancing cholesterol synthesis.