Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
5511363 | The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology | 2017 | 10 Pages |
Abstract
In addition to β-cells, pancreatic islets contain α- and δ-cells, which respectively produce glucagon and somatostatin. The reprogramming of these two endocrine cell types into insulin producers, as observed after a massive β-cell ablation in mice, may help restoring a functional β-cell mass in type 1 diabetes. Yet, the spontaneous α-to-β and δ-to-β conversion processes are relatively inefficient in adult animals and the underlying epigenetic mechanisms remain unclear. Several studies indicate that the conserved chromatin modifiers DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1) and Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (Ezh2) are important for pancreas development and restrict islet cell plasticity. Here, to investigate the role of these two enzymes in α- and δ-cell development and fate maintenance, we genetically inactivated them in each of these two cell types. We found that loss of Dnmt1 does not enhance the conversion of α- or δ-cells toward a β-like fate. In addition, while Dnmt1 was dispensable for the development of these two cell types, we noticed a gradual loss of α-, but not δ-cells in adult mice. Finally, we found that Ezh2 inactivation does not enhance α-cell plasticity, and, contrary to what is observed in β-cells, does not impair α-cell proliferation. Our results indicate that both Dnmt1 and Ezh2 play distinct roles in the different islet cell types.
Keywords
DOXEZH2Dnmt1DNA methyltransferase 1rtTAYFPα-cellsIAPDTRCREGCGPRCSSTINSinsulintetOenhancer of zeste homolog 2diphtheria toxinPancreatic isletdoxycyclineintracisternal A-particleSomatostatinpolycomb repressive complexRIPyellow fluorescent proteinrat insulin promoterCre recombinaseGlucagonDiphtheria Toxin Receptor
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Authors
Nicolas Damond, Fabrizio Thorel, Seung K. Kim, Pedro L. Herrera,