Increased expression of polypyrimidine tract binding protein results in higher insulin mRNA levels
Fred, R.G.; Welsh, N.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 328(1): 38-42
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0006-291X PMID: 15670747 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2004.12.147
Accession: 012198964
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-1beta-induced increase in insulin mRNA was paralleled by an increase in PTB mRNA. To further test the hypothesis that PTB controls insulin gene expression, betaTC-6 cells were treated with a PTB-specific siRNA to modify the beta-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.