Skip Navigation
Skip to contents

Diabetes Metab J : Diabetes & Metabolism Journal

Search
OPEN ACCESS

Articles

Page Path
HOME > Diabetes Metab J > Volume 33(6); 2009 > Article
Review Autophagy in Diabetes.
Hye Seung Jung, Myung Shik Lee
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2009;33(6):453-457
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4093/kdj.2009.33.6.453
Published online: December 1, 2009
  • 2,076 Views
  • 36 Download
  • 0 Crossref
  • 0 Scopus
1Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
2Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
next

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by decreased insulin secretion and action. Decreased insulin secretion results from a reduction in mass and/or function of pancreatic beta-cells. Apoptosis, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress responses have been suggested as mechanisms for the changes in beta-cells in type 2 diabetes; however, the underlying causes have not been clearly elucidated. Autophagy is an intracellular process that maintains cellular homeostasis through degradation and recycling of organelles. Recently, we reported reduction of beta-cell mass in autophagy-deficient mice. Pancreatic insulin content was also decreased due to the decreased beta-cell mass and the reduced number of insulin granules. Morphological analysis of these beta-cells revealed an accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins, swollen mitochondria, and distended ER. Insulin secretory function ex vivo was also impaired. As a result, autophagy-deficient mice showed hypoinsulinemia and hyperglycemia. These results suggested that autophagy is necessary to maintain the structure, mass and function of beta-cells. In addition, as autophagy may play a protective role against ER stress and rejuvenate organelle function, impaired autophagy may lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and ER stress, which have been implicated as causes of insulin resistance. Therefore, in addition to beta-cell homeostasis, dysregulated autophagy may possibly be involved in insulin resistance.

  • Cite
    CITE
    export Copy
    Close
    Download Citation
    Download a citation file in RIS format that can be imported by all major citation management software, including EndNote, ProCite, RefWorks, and Reference Manager.

    Format:
    • RIS — For EndNote, ProCite, RefWorks, and most other reference management software
    • BibTeX — For JabRef, BibDesk, and other BibTeX-specific software
    Include:
    • Citation for the content below
    Autophagy in Diabetes.
    Korean Diabetes J. 2009;33(6):453-457.   Published online December 1, 2009
    Close
Related articles
Jung HS, Lee MS. Autophagy in Diabetes.. Diabetes Metab J. 2009;33(6):453-457.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4093/kdj.2009.33.6.453.

Diabetes Metab J : Diabetes & Metabolism Journal
Close layer
TOP