MicroRNAs Regulate Insulin Production

Date: Sep-12-2012Obesity and pregnancy are associated with diminished insulin sensitivity, accompanied by an increase in the demand for insulin. To compensate the pancreas expands its population of insulin-producing beta islet cells.

Researchers led by Romano Regazzi at the University of Lausanne have identified a microRNA that participates in beta islet expansion. In this issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Regazzi and colleagues report that decreases in the microRNA miR-338-3p were correlated with increases in the number of beta islets during pregnancy in rats.

Blocking miR-338-3p increased beta islet expansion, suggesting that regulation of this microRNA may be important in disease states associated with insulin resistance, such as gestational diabetes.

"MicroRNAs contribute to compensatory beta-cell expansion during pregnancy and obesity"

Romano Regazzi

University of Lausanne, Lausanne, CHE
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