Biomedical subjects

Linda Tillmar

Publications and source records attributed to Linda Tillmar.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Glucose-induced binding of the polypyrimidine tract-binding protein (PTB) to the 3'-untranslated region of the insulin mRNA (ins-PRS) is inhibited by rapamycin.

Despite considerable knowledge on the regulation of insulin gene transcription, little is known about the post-transcriptional control mechanisms of this gene. We have recently reported glucose- and hypoxia-regulated binding of the polypyrimidine tract-binding protein (PTB) to the pyrimidine-rich sequence of the 3'-untranslated insulin mRNA (ins-PRS), an event which may control insulin mRNA stability. The present aim was to probe for the signaling pathways that control this binding activity. Rat islets were exposed to pharmacological inhibitors against several molecules, previously shown to be involved in glucose signaling. The inhibitors used were; LY 294002 (PI3 kinase), Rp-cAMP triatylamine (the cAMP-dependent protein kinase PKA), bisindolylmaleimide I hydrochloride (PKC), PD 098059 (ERK1/ERK2), SB 203580 (p38/SAPK2a), rapamycin (mTOR) and okadaic acid (PP1/2A). PTB-binding activity to the ins-PRS was then analyzed by elecrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). The glucose-induced PTB-binding was only inhibited by the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin. Rapamycin also reduced glucose-induced insulin mRNA expression. Thus, our results suggest an involvement of mTOR in glucose-induced PTB/ins-PRS binding and insulin mRNA stability.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

PubMed2004

Promoting islet cell function after transplantation.

Engraftment (i.e., the adaptation of transplanted pancreatic islets to their new surroundings with regard to revascularization, reinnervation, and reorganization of other stromal compartments) is of crucial importance for the survival and function of the endocrine cells. Previous studies suggest that transplantation induces both vascular and stromal dysfunctions in the implanted islets when compared with endogenous islets. Thus the vascular density and the blood perfusion of islet grafts is decreased and accompanied with a capillary hypertension. This leads to hypoxic conditions, with an associated shift toward anaerobic metabolism in grafted islets. An improved engraftment will prevent or compensate for the vascular/stromal dysfunction seen in transplanted islets and thereby augment survival of the islet implant. By such means the number of islets needed to cure the recipient will be lessened. This will increase the number of patients that can be transplanted with the limited material available.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

In vitro cultured rat islets express genes that both prevent and promote angiogenesis.

CONTEXT: Endogenous pancreatic islets are supported by a dense sinusoidal capillary system which is disrupted following isolation and culture in vitro. A rapid and accurate revascularization is therefore crucial for the survival and functioning of the transplanted islet. Although a blood flow is established in islet grafts within 1-2 weeks, these islets show poor development of intra-islet capillaries. To improve the revascularization process and the arrangement of the new blood vessels, islet production of the factors governing these processes needs to be further characterized. OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of factors which regulate angiogenesis in cultured rat islets. DESIGN AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rat islets were isolated and cultured for one week. After 6 hours of exposure to normoxic (21% O2) or hypoxic (1% O2) conditions, mRNA expression was evaluated by the GEArray Angiogenesis 1 and 2 systems. The expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the tyrosine kinase with immunoglobulin and epidermal growth factor homology domains 1 (Tie1) and acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), was further evaluated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS: We found the expression of 19 genes that code for factors either promoting or preventing angiogenesis. Only VEGF and Tie1 were upregulated in response to hypoxia. CONCLUSION: Hypoxia-induced islet vascularization may involve VEGF and Tie-induced signaling events. The results also show that cultured islets express genes which prevent angiogenesis concurrently with genes coding for factors stimulating angiogenesis. The balance between these factors is probably of vital importance for the revascularization process in transplanted islets. Thus, pharmacologic or genetic attenuation of islet-derived angiostatic factors may prove beneficial in promoting islet revascularization in future transplantation trials.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗

PubMed2003

Nicotinamide- and caspase-mediated inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase are associated with p53-independent cell cycle (G2) arrest and apoptosis.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), which is activated by DNA strand breaks, is involved in DNA repair and replication but, during apoptosis, undergoes early caspase-mediated cleavage. Activation of programmed cell death in response to DNA damage may rely on functional p53 protein. Tumor cells are commonly deficient in this oncogene product resulting in resistance to many cytostatic drugs. Here we report that nicotinamide-induced inhibition of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation and cytokine-induced nitric oxide production both result in a transient increase in p53 levels in pancreatic tumor RINm5F cells. These treatments also induce disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential (delta psi(m)), as revealed using the mitochondrial probe JC-1, followed by PARP cleavage and apoptosis all of which are inhibited by the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. Moreover, PARP-inhibition by nicotinamide or 3-aminobenzamide induces apoptosis and/or cell cycle arrest at the G2 checkpoint in all of four tested tumor cell lines of both mesenchymal and epithelial origin including mouse NIH-3T3 cells and p53 deficient human HeLa and Jurkat cells. Bcl-2 counteracts cytokine-, but not nicotinamide-induced G2 arrest. These findings indicate that both chemical and caspase-mediated inhibition of PARP activity, possibly by interfering with DNA replication and repair, may promote a p53-independent G2 arrest and apoptosis.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Hypoxia may increase rat insulin mRNA levels by promoting binding of the polypyrimidine tract-binding protein (PTB) to the pyrimidine-rich insulin mRNA 3'-untranslated region.

BACKGROUND: Recent reports identify the 3'-UTR of insulin mRNA as crucial for control of insulin messenger stability. This region contains a pyrimidine-rich sequence, which is similar to the hypoxia-responsive mRNA-stabilizing element of tyrosine hydroxylase. This study aimed to determine whether hypoxia affects insulin mRNA levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rat islets were incubated at normoxic or hypoxic conditions and with or without hydrogen peroxide and a nitric oxide donor. Insulin mRNA was determined by Northern hybridization. Islet homogenates were used for electrophoretic mobility shift assay with an RNA-oligonucleotide, corresponding to the pyrimidine-rich sequence of the 3'-UTR of rat insulin I mRNA. The expression of reporter gene mRNA, in islets transfected with reporter gene constructs containing the wild-type or mutated insulin mRNA pyrimidine-rich sequences, was measured by semiquantitive RT-PCR. RESULTS: Insulin mRNA was increased in response to hypoxia. This was paralleled by increased binding of the polypyrimidine tract-binding protein (PTB) to the pyrimidine-rich sequence of the 3'-UTR of insulin mRNA, which was counteracted by hydrogen peroxide. The reporter gene mRNA level containing the wild-type binding site was not increased in response to hypoxia, but mutation of the site resulted in a destabilization of the mRNA. CONCLUSIONS: The complete understanding of different diabetic conditions requires the elucidation of mechanisms that control insulin gene expression. Our data show that hypoxia may increase insulin mRNA levels by promoting the binding of PTB to the insulin mRNA 3'-UTR. Hydrogen peroxide abolishes the hypoxic effect indicating involvement of reactive oxygen species and/or the redox potential in the oxygen-signaling pathway.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

PubMed2001

Control of insulin mRNA stability in rat pancreatic islets. Regulatory role of a 3'-untranslated region pyrimidine-rich sequence.

Stabilization of insulin mRNA in response to glucose is a significant component of insulin production, but the mechanisms governing this process are unknown. We presently observe that insulin mRNA is a highly abundant messenger and that the content of this mRNA is mainly controlled by changes in messenger stability. We also demonstrate specific binding of the polypyrimidine tract-binding protein to a pyrimidine-rich sequence located in the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of insulin mRNA. This binding was increased in vitro by dithiothreitol and in vivo by glucose. Inhibition of polypyrimidine tract-binding protein binding to the pyrimidine-rich sequence by mutation of the core binding site resulted in a destabilization of a reporter gene mRNA. Thus, glucose-induced binding of polypyrimidine tract-binding protein to the 3'-UTR of insulin mRNA could be a necessary event in the control of insulin mRNA levels.

3' Untranslated Regions↗