Human β-cell proliferation and intracellular signaling part 2: still driving in the dark without a road map

Diabetes. 2014 Mar;63(3):819-31. doi: 10.2337/db13-1146.

Abstract

Enhancing β-cell proliferation is a major goal for type 1 and type 2 diabetes research. Unraveling the network of β-cell intracellular signaling pathways that promote β-cell replication can provide the tools to address this important task. In a previous Perspectives in Diabetes article, we discussed what was known regarding several important intracellular signaling pathways in rodent β-cells, including the insulin receptor substrate/phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/Akt (IRS-PI3K-Akt) pathways, glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) S6 kinase pathways, protein kinase Cζ (PKCζ) pathways, and their downstream cell-cycle molecular targets, and contrasted that ample knowledge to the small amount of complementary data on human β-cell intracellular signaling pathways. In this Perspectives, we summarize additional important information on signaling pathways activated by nutrients, such as glucose; growth factors, such as epidermal growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, and Wnt; and hormones, such as leptin, estrogen, and progesterone, that are linked to rodent and human β-cell proliferation. With these two Perspectives, we attempt to construct a brief summary of knowledge for β-cell researchers on mitogenic signaling pathways and to emphasize how little is known regarding intracellular events linked to human β-cell replication. This is a critical aspect in the long-term goal of expanding human β-cells for the prevention and/or cure of type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / physiology
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors / physiology
  • Cell Proliferation*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / prevention & control
  • ErbB Receptors / physiology
  • Estrogens / physiology
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / cytology
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / physiology*
  • Leptin / physiology
  • NFATC Transcription Factors / physiology
  • Progesterone / physiology
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / physiology
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / physiology

Substances

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors
  • Estrogens
  • Leptin
  • MLXIPL protein, human
  • NFATC Transcription Factors
  • Progesterone
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • STK11 protein, human
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Glucose