Neonatal diabetes caused by disrupted pancreatic and β-cell development

Elisa De Franco1

  • 1Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Science, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.

Insights

Neonatal diabetes, often caused by single-gene mutations, affects infants before six months. This review explores genetic causes impacting beta-cell development and function, leading to diabetes.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Genetics
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM) is a rare condition diagnosed before 6 months of age.
  • It is primarily caused by monogenic mutations affecting pancreatic beta-cell development or function.
  • Over 30 genetic causes are known, impacting beta-cell mass or function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review genetic causes of NDM related to disrupted beta-cell development.
  • To discuss current knowledge of genetic and phenotypic features of these conditions.
  • To explore future research directions in NDM.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of genetic causes of neonatal diabetes.
  • Analysis of studies on beta-cell development and function.
  • Synthesis of phenotypic data associated with genetic variants.

Main Results:

  • Seven genes disrupt overall pancreatic development, causing diabetes and exocrine insufficiency.
  • Five genes, encoding transcription factors, cause NDM via impaired beta-cell development, often with extra-pancreatic features.
  • Genetic variations significantly impact beta-cell number and function.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the genetic basis of NDM is crucial for diagnosis and management.
  • Disrupted beta-cell development is a key mechanism in many NDM cases.
  • Future research will likely uncover more genetic factors and therapeutic targets.

Related Concept Videos

Pathophysiology of Diabetes01:20

Pathophysiology of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The four categories of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other specific types of diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...
2.1K
Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood glucose levels due to inadequate insulin production, insulin resistance, or both. The condition affects millions worldwide and can significantly impact their health and quality of life.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
3.7K
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational

Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
3.3K
Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications01:15

Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications

For most patients, experiencing several weeks of polyuria, polydipsia, fatigue, and significant weight loss may indicate the presence of diabetes. Furthermore, adults displaying the phenotypic appearance of type 2 diabetes (particularly those who are obese and not initially insulin-requiring), may have islet cell autoantibodies, suggesting autoimmune-mediated β cell destruction and a diagnosis of latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA). The categorization of glucose homeostasis is...
1.3K
Insulin: Biosynthesis, Chemistry, and Preparation01:25

Insulin: Biosynthesis, Chemistry, and Preparation

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of pancreatic β-cells synthesizes preproinsulin, which consists of a signal peptide, A and B chains, and a C-peptide. Preproinsulin is then cleaved and folded into proinsulin, which translocates to the Golgi apparatus for sorting and packaging into secretory granules. In these granules, enzymatic clipping generates insulin and C-peptide.
Damage or functional impairment of β-cells inhibits insulin production, leading to diabetes. Diabetes treatment...
672
Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion01:27

Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion

The pancreatic islets comprising only 1%-2% of the volume are highly vascularized and innervated mini-organs. They contain five endocrine cell types, including β cells that secrete insulin, which is synthesized as a single polypeptide chain, preproinsulin, processed to proinsulin, and finally to insulin and C-peptide. This process is complex and regulated, involving the Golgi complex, the endoplasmic reticulum, and the secretory granules of the β cell.
Insulin and C-peptide are...
1.5K