Increased expression of polypyrimidine tract binding protein results in higher insulin mRNA levels

• The aim of this study was to further elucidate the role of the polypyrimidine tract binding protein (PTB) in the control of insulin mRNA stability. We observed that the glucose- or interleukin-1β-induced increase in insulin mRNA was paralleled by an increase in PTB mRNA. To further test the hypothesis that PTB controls insulin gene expression, βTC-6 cells were treated with a PTB-specific siRNA to modify the β-cell content of PTB. Surprisingly, we observed an increase in PTB mRNA and PTB protein levels in response to the siRNA treatment. In addition, the PTB-siRNA treatment also increased insulin mRNA. We conclude that expression of the PTB gene controls insulin production.

Nyckelord

Insulin mRNA

Polypyrimidine tract binding protein

mRNA stability

siRNA

β-cell

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