Title
Endoplasmic reticulum stress and pancreatic beta-cell death
UMMS Affiliation
Program in Gene Function and Expression; Program in Molecular Medicine
Date
7-5-2011
Document Type
Article
Medical Subject Headings
Endoplasmic Reticulum; Unfolded Protein Response; Homeostasis; Diabetes Mellitus; Cell Death; Stress, Physiological
Disciplines
Genetics and Genomics
Abstract
In pancreatic beta-cells, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an important cellular compartment for insulin biosynthesis, which accounts for half of the total protein production in these cells. Protein flux through the ER must be carefully monitored to prevent dysregulation of ER homeostasis and stress. ER stress elicits a signaling cascade known as the unfolded protein response (UPR), which influences both life and death decisions in cells. beta-cell loss is a pathological component of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and recent findings suggest that ER stress is involved. In this review, we address the transition from the physiological ER stress response to the pathological response, and explore the mechanisms of ER stress-mediated beta-cell loss during the progression of diabetes.
Rights and Permissions
Citation: Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Jul;22(7):266-74. Epub 2011 Mar 31. Link to article on publisher's site