When one becomes many-Alternative splicing in ?-cell function and failure.
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ABSTRACT: Pancreatic ?-cell dysfunction and death are determinant events in type 1 diabetes (T1D), but the molecular mechanisms behind ?-cell fate remain poorly understood. Alternative splicing is a post-transcriptional mechanism by which a single gene generates different mRNA and protein isoforms, expanding the transcriptome complexity and enhancing protein diversity. Neuron-specific and certain serine/arginine-rich RNA binding proteins (RBP) are enriched in ?-cells, playing crucial roles in the regulation of insulin secretion and ?-cell survival. Moreover, alternative exon networks, regulated by inflammation or diabetes susceptibility genes, control key pathways and processes for the correct function and survival of ?-cells. The challenge ahead of us is to understand the precise role of alternative splicing regulators and splice variants on ?-cell function, dysfunction and death and develop tools to modulate it.
SUBMITTER: Alvelos MI
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6148369 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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