Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress & diabetes

Rajan, Sundar S and Srinivasan, V and Balasubramanyam, M and Tatu, U (2007) Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress & diabetes. In: Indian Journal of Medical Research, 125 (3). pp. 411-424.

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Abstract

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a central organelle entrusted with lipid synthesis, protein folding and protein maturation. It is endowed with a quality control system that facilitates the recognition and targeting of aberrant proteins for degradation. When the capacity of this quality control system is exceeded, a stress response (ER stress) is switched on. Prolonged stress leads to apoptosis and may thus be an important factor in the pathogenesis of many diseases. A complex homeostatic signaling pathway, known as the unfolded protein response (UPR), has evolved to maintain a balance between the load of newly synthesized proteins and the capacity of the ER to aid in their maturation. Dysfunction of the UPR plays an important role in certain diseases, especially those involving tissues dedicated to extracellular protein synthesis. Diabetes is an example of such a disease, since pancreatic \beta-cells depend on efficient UPR signaling to meet the demands for constantly varying levels of insulin synthesis. Recent studies have indicated that the importance of the UPR in diabetes is not restricted to the \beta-cell but also to tissues of peripheral insulin resistance such as liver and adipose tissue. Better understanding of the basic mechanisms of ER stress and development of insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes is pivotal for the identification of newer molecular targets for therapeutic interventions.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Indian Journal of Medical Research
Publisher:	Indian Council of Medical Research
Additional Information:	Copyright of this article belongs to Indian Council of Medical Research.
Keywords:	Diabetes;ER stress;insulin resistance;UPR.
Department/Centre:	Division of Biological Sciences > Biochemistry
Date Deposited:	03 Jul 2008
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2010 04:46
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/14733

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