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Updated: Oct 30, 2025

High-resolution Respirometry to Measure Mitochondrial Function of Intact Beta Cells in the Presence of Natural Compounds
Published on: January 23, 2018
MicroRNA Sequences Modulated by Beta Cell Lipid Metabolism: Implications for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Jamie M R Tarlton1, Steven Patterson1, Annette Graham1
1Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK.
Abstract:
Alterations in lipid metabolism within beta cells and islets contributes to dysfunction and apoptosis of beta cells, leading to loss of insulin secretion and the onset of type 2 diabetes. Over the last decade, there has been an explosion of interest in understanding the landscape of gene expression which influences beta cell function, including the importance of small non-coding microRNA sequences in this context. This review sought to identify the microRNA sequences regulated by metabolic challenges in beta cells and islets, their targets, highlight their function and assess their possible relevance as biomarkers of disease progression in diabetic individuals. Predictive analysis was used to explore networks of genes targeted by these microRNA sequences, which may offer new therapeutic strategies to protect beta cell function and delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.
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