Biphasic response of pancreatic β-cell mass to ablation of tuberous sclerosis complex 2 in mice

Y Shigeyama, T Kobayashi, Y Kido… - … and cellular biology, 2008 - Taylor & Francis
Y Shigeyama, T Kobayashi, Y Kido, N Hashimoto, S Asahara, T Matsuda, A Takeda, T Inoue…
Molecular and cellular biology, 2008Taylor & Francis
Recent studies have demonstrated the importance of insulin or insulin-like growth factor 1
(IGF-1) for regulation of pancreatic β-cell mass. Given the role of tuberous sclerosis complex
2 (TSC2) as an upstream molecule of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin), we
examined the effect of TSC2 deficiency on β-cell function. Here, we show that mice deficient
in TSC2, specifically in pancreatic β cells (βTSC2−/− mice), manifest increased IGF-1-
dependent phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase and 4E-BP1 in islets as well as an initial …
Recent studies have demonstrated the importance of insulin or insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) for regulation of pancreatic β-cell mass. Given the role of tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2) as an upstream molecule of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin), we examined the effect of TSC2 deficiency on β-cell function. Here, we show that mice deficient in TSC2, specifically in pancreatic β cells (βTSC2−/− mice), manifest increased IGF-1-dependent phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase and 4E-BP1 in islets as well as an initial increased islet mass attributable in large part to increases in the sizes of individual β cells. These mice also exhibit hypoglycemia and hyperinsulinemia at young ages (4 to 28 weeks). After 40 weeks of age, however, the βTSC2−/− mice develop progressive hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia accompanied by a reduction in islet mass due predominantly to a decrease in the number of β cells. These results thus indicate that TSC2 regulates pancreatic β-cell mass in a biphasic manner.
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