Open AccessThe Biochemical Cascades of the Human Pancreatic ò-Cells: The Role of MicroRNAs
Author(s) -
Joseph W. Kim,
John Zq Luo,
Liqiang Luo
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of bioanalysis and biomedicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1948-593X
DOI - 10.4172/1948-593x.1000e133
Subject(s) - microrna , islet , diabetes mellitus , disease , bioinformatics , cell , pancreatic islets , in vivo , biology , medicine , apoptosis , immunology , cancer research , computational biology , endocrinology , gene , genetics
Diabetes mellitus is a disease that poses a burden to the health care system due to its prevalence and chronic nature. Understanding β cell pathophysiology may lead to future therapeutic options for diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2. MicroRNAs (MiR) fine-tune β cell biochemical cascades through specific protein targets. This review argues that miRs may play a critical role in human islet β cell biology and are potential candidates for a new pharmacological strategy. We have reviewed and presented how miRs fine tune four biochemical cascades in islet β cells: glucose stimulated insulin secretion, β cell replication, apoptosis, and development. Only studies that examine human pancreatic islets either in vitro or in vivo are included. The unveiling role of miR pathways in regulating human islet β cell biology could open the door for diagnostic and therapeutic methods for diabetes mellitus prevention and therapy.