The Apoptotic Role of Cpeb1 in INS-1 Cells

Abstract

The dedifferentiation of pancreatic (3-cells commonly occurs in the pathogenesis of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The (3-cell identity undergoes unique changes depending on the diabetogenic stress that is encountered. One such change is the lower levels of Cpeb 1 in (3-cells affected by both types of diabetes relative to healthy mature (3-cells. However, the cellular function(s) of Cpeb 1 in (3-cells has not been explored. We hypothesized that the downregulation of Cpeb 1 in INS-I cells (from a rat insulinoma cell line) will result in higher levels of apoptosis when faced with diabetogenic stress from proinflammatory cytokines (characteristic of type I diabetes) or high concentrations of glucose and palmitate (characteristic of type 2 diabetes). We found that the in vitro knockdown of Cpeb I in INS-I cells results in higher levels of apoptosis when under stress of proinflammatory cytokines but not of high glucose and palmitate concentrations.