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Shaping and preserving β‐cell identity with microRNAs
Author(s) -
Dumortier O.,
Fabris G.,
Van Obberghen E.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
diabetes, obesity and metabolism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.445
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1463-1326
pISSN - 1462-8902
DOI - 10.1111/dom.12722
Subject(s) - microrna , biology , glucose homeostasis , function (biology) , homeostasis , exocytosis , identity (music) , microbiology and biotechnology , cell , energy homeostasis , insulin , computational biology , bioinformatics , gene , insulin resistance , genetics , biochemistry , secretion , physics , receptor , acoustics
The highly sophisticated identity of pancreatic β‐cells is geared to accomplish its unique feat of providing insulin for organismal glucose and lipid homeostasis. This requires a particular and streamlined fuel metabolism which defines mature β‐cells as glucose sensors linked to an insulin exocytosis machinery. The establishment of an appropriate β‐cell mass and function during development as well as the maintenance of their identity throughout life are necessary for energy homeostasis. The small non‐coding RNAs , microRNAs ( miRNAs ), are now well‐recognized regulators of gene transcripts, which in general are negatively affected by them. Convincing evidence exists to view miRNAs as major actors in β‐cell development and function, suggesting an important role for them in the distinctive β‐cell ‘identity card’. Here, we summarize key features that associate miRNAs and the establishment of the appropriate β‐cell identity and its necessary maintenance during their ‘long life’.