Could microRNAs contribute to the maintenance of β cell identity?

Haggai Kaspi, Ronit Pasvolsky, Eran Hornstein

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

Normal physiology depends on defined functional output of differentiated cells. However, differentiated cells are often surprisingly fragile. As an example, phenotypic collapse and dedifferentiation of β cells were recently discovered in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2D). These discoveries necessitate the investigation of mechanisms that function to maintain robust cell type identity. microRNAs (miRNAs), which are small non-coding RNAs, are known to impart robustness to development. miRNAs are interlaced within networks, that include also transcriptional and epigenetic regulators, for continuous control of lineage-specific gene expression. In this Opinion article, we provide a framework for conceptualizing how miRNAs might participate in adult β cell identity and suggest that miRNAs may function as important genetic components in metabolic disorders, including diabetes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)285-292
Number of pages8
JournalTrends in Endocrinology and Metabolism
Volume25
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cellular identity
  • Dedifferentiation
  • Diabetes
  • Endocrine pancreas
  • MiRNAs
  • β cells

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Endocrinology

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