Roles of mTOR in the Regulation of Pancreatic β-Cell Mass and Insulin Secretion
Shun‐ichiro Asahara, Hiroyuki Inoue, Hitoshi Watanabe, Yoshiaki Kido
Abstract
Pancreatic β-cells are the only type of cells that can control glycemic levels via insulin secretion. Thus, to explore the mechanisms underlying pancreatic β-cell failure, many reports have clarified the roles of important molecules, such as the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), which is a central regulator of metabolic and nutrient cues. Studies have uncovered the roles of mTOR in the function of β-cells and the progression of diabetes, and they suggest that mTOR has both positive and negative effects on pancreatic β-cells in the development of diabetes.
Topics & Concepts
PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathwayRegulatorInsulinSecretionDiscovery and development of mTOR inhibitorsType 2 diabetesCell biologyNegative regulatorInternal medicineGlycemicBiologyEndocrinologyDiabetes mellitusMedicineChemistrySignal transductionBiochemistryGenePancreatic function and diabetesMetabolism, Diabetes, and CancerDiet, Metabolism, and Disease