Recent studies have demonstrated the importance of insulin or insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) for regulation of pancreatic ␤-cell mass. Given the role of tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2) as an upstream molecule of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin), we examined the effect of TSC2 deficiency on ␤-cell function. Here, we show that mice deficient in TSC2, specifically in pancreatic ␤ cells (␤TSC2 ؊/؊ mice), manifest increased IGF-1-dependent phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase and 4E-BP1 in islets as well as an initial increased islet mass attributable in large part to increases in the sizes of individual ␤ cells. These mice also exhibit hypoglycemia and hyperinsulinemia at young ages (4 to 28 weeks). After 40 weeks of age, however, the ␤TSC2 ؊/؊ mice develop progressive hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia accompanied by a reduction in islet mass due predominantly to a decrease in the number of ␤ cells. These results thus indicate that TSC2 regulates pancreatic ␤-cell mass in a biphasic manner.

Pancreatic β cell failure is thought to underlie the progression from glucose intolerance to overt diabetes, and ER stress is implicated in such β cell dysfunction. We have now shown that the transcription factor CCAAT/ enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ) accumulated in the islets of diabetic animal models as a result of ER stress before the onset of hyperglycemia. Transgenic overexpression of C/EBPβ specifically in β cells of mice reduced β cell mass and lowered plasma insulin levels, resulting in the development of diabetes. Conversely, genetic ablation of C/EBPβ in the β cells of mouse models of diabetes, including Akita mice, which harbor a heterozygous mutation in Ins2 (Ins2 WT/C96Y ), and leptin receptor-deficient (Lepr -/-) mice, resulted in an increase in β cell mass and ameliorated hyperglycemia. The accumulation of C/EBPβ in pancreatic β cells reduced the abundance of the molecular chaperone glucose-regulated protein of 78 kDa (GRP78) as a result of suppression of the transactivation activity of the transcription factor ATF6α, thereby increasing the vulnerability of these cells to excess ER stress. Our results thus indicate that the accumulation of C/EBPβ in pancreatic β cells contributes to β cell failure in mice by enhancing susceptibility to ER stress.

Aims/hypothesisThe small G-protein ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (RAC1) plays various roles in mammalian cells, such as in the regulation of cytoskeletal organisation, cell adhesion, migration and morphological changes. The present study examines the effects of RAC1 ablation on pancreatic beta cell function.MethodsIsolated islets from pancreatic beta cell-specific Rac1-knockout (betaRac1−/−) mice and RAC1 knockdown INS-1 insulinoma cells treated with small interfering RNA were used to investigate insulin secretion and cytoskeletal organisation in pancreatic beta cells.ResultsBetaRac1−/− mice showed decreased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, while there were no apparent differences in islet morphology. Isolated islets from the mice had blunted insulin secretion in response to high glucose levels. In RAC1 knockdown INS-1 cells, insulin secretion was also decreased in response to high glucose levels, consistent with the phenotype of betaRac1−/− mice. Even under high glucose levels, RAC1 knockdown INS-1 cells remained intact with F-actin, which inhibits the recruitment of the insulin granules, resulting in an inhibition of insulin secretion.Conclusions/interpretationIn RAC1-deficient pancreatic beta cells, F-actin acts as a barrier for insulin granules and reduces glucose-stimulated insulin secretion.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00125-013-2849-5) contains peer-reviewed but unedited supplementary material, which is available to authorised users.

AimWe previously found that chronic tuberous sclerosis protein 2 (TSC2) deletion induces activation of mammalian target of rapamycin Complex 1 (mTORC1) and leads to hypertrophy of pancreatic beta cells from pancreatic beta cell-specific TSC2 knockout (βTSC2−/−) mice. The present study examines the effects of TSC2 ablation on insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells.MethodsIsolated islets from βTSC2−/− mice and TSC2 knockdown insulin 1 (INS-1) insulinoma cells treated with small interfering ribonucleic acid were used to investigate insulin secretion, ATP content and the expression of mitochondrial genes.ResultsActivation of mTORC1 increased mitochondrial DNA expression, mitochondrial density and ATP production in pancreatic beta cells of βTSC2−/− mice. In TSC2 knockdown INS-1 cells, mitochondrial DNA expression, mitochondrial density and ATP production were increased compared with those in control INS-1 cells, consistent with the phenotype of βTSC2−/− mice. TSC2 knockdown INS-1 cells also exhibited augmented insulin secretory response to glucose. Rapamycin inhibited mitochondrial DNA expression and ATP production as well as insulin secretion in response to glucose. Thus, βTSC2−/− mice exhibit hyperinsulinemia due to an increase in the number of mitochondria as well as enlargement of individual beta cells via activation of mTORC1.ConclusionActivation of mTORC1 by TSC2 ablation increases mitochondrial biogenesis and enhances insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells.

Genetic factors are important determinants of the onset and progression of diabetes mellitus. Numerous susceptibility genes for type 2 diabetes, including potassium voltage-gated channel, KQT-like subfamily Q, member1 (KCNQ1), have been identified in humans by genome-wide analyses and other studies. Experiments with genetically modified mice have also implicated various genes in the pathogenesis of diabetes. However, the possible effects of the parent of origin for diabetes susceptibility alleles on disease onset have remained unclear. Here, we show that a mutation at the Kcnq1 locus reduces pancreatic β-cell mass in mice by epigenetic modulation only when it is inherited from the father. The noncoding RNA KCNQ1 overlapping transcript1 (Kcnq1ot1) is expressed from the Kcnq1 locus and regulates the expression of neighboring genes on the paternal allele. We found that disruption of Kcnq1 results in reduced Kcnq1ot1 expression as well as the increased expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1C (Cdkn1c), an imprinted gene that encodes a cell cycle inhibitor, only when the mutation is on the paternal allele. Furthermore, histone modification at the Cdkn1c promoter region in pancreatic islets was found to contribute to this phenomenon. Our observations suggest that the Kcnq1 genomic region directly regulates pancreatic β-cell mass and that genomic imprinting may be a determinant of the onset of diabetes mellitus.