Abstract
The protein p27Kip1 regulates cell cycle progression in mammals by inhibiting the activity of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). Here we show that p27Kip1 progressively accumulates in the nucleus of pancreatic beta cells in mice that lack either insulin receptor substrate 2 (Irs2-/-) or the long form of the leptin receptor (Lepr-/- or db/db). Deletion of the gene encoding p27Kip1 (Cdkn1b) ameliorated hyperglycemia in these animal models of type 2 diabetes mellitus by increasing islet mass and maintaining compensatory hyperinsulinemia, effects that were attributable predominantly to stimulation of pancreatic beta-cell proliferation. Thus, p27Kip1 contributes to beta-cell failure during the development of type 2 diabetes in Irs2-/- and Lepr-/- mice and represents a potential new target for the treatment of this condition.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 175-182 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Nature medicine |
Volume | 11 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Feb 2005 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)