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Published on: June 2, 2018
Mitochondrial Protein UCP2 Controls Pancreas Development
Benjamin Broche1,2,3, Selma Ben Fradj1,2,3, Esther Aguilar1,2,3
1INSERM, U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France.
Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) deficiency in mice leads to larger pancreata with more alpha and beta cells, driven by oxidative stress and the ROS-AKT pathway during embryonic development.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Developmental Biology
- Mitochondrial Biology
Background:
- Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is a mitochondrial transporter involved in regulating oxidative stress and metabolism.
- UCP2 influences pancreatic alpha- and beta-cell mass and function in rodents.
- The embryonic origins of UCP2's effects on beta-cell mass require investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the embryonic role of UCP2 in pancreatic development.
- To determine if UCP2 deficiency impacts early pancreatic cell proliferation and mass.
- To elucidate the signaling pathways mediating UCP2's influence on pancreas development.
Main Methods:
- Utilized UCP2 knockout (Ucp2-/-) mice for embryonic studies.
- Analyzed pancreas size, cell counts (alpha, beta, PDX1+ progenitors), and proliferation at embryonic day 16.5.
- Assessed oxidative stress markers, including NRF2 translocation and AKT phosphorylation.
- Administered N-acetyl-l-cysteine antioxidant to pregnant Ucp2-/- mice.
Main Results:
- Ucp2-/- fetuses exhibited increased pancreas size and higher numbers of alpha, beta, and PDX1+ progenitor cells.
- Increased proliferation of endocrine cells was observed perinatally.
- Elevated nuclear translocation of NRF2 and activation of AKT phosphorylation indicated increased oxidative stress (ROS production).
- Antioxidant treatment in Ucp2-/- dams ameliorated the observed effects on pancreas development.
Conclusions:
- UCP2 negatively regulates embryonic pancreas development.
- UCP2 controls pancreas development via the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-AKT signaling pathway.
- Targeting oxidative stress may offer therapeutic potential for pancreas development disorders.
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