Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
2
pubmed:dateCreated
2002-1-28
pubmed:abstractText
Prohormone convertase 2 (PC2) plays an essential role in the processing of proglucagon to mature active glucagon in pancreatic alpha-cells (J Biol Chem 276:27197-27202, 2001). Mice lacking PC2 demonstrate multiple defects, including chronic mild hypoglycemia and dramatic hyperplasia of the pancreatic alpha-cells. To define the contribution of mature glucagon deficiency to the hypoglycemia and alpha-cell hyperplasia, we have attempted to correct the defects by delivery of exogenous glucagon by micro-osmotic pumps. Intraperitoneal delivery of 0.5 microg glucagon/h in PC2(-/-) mice resulted in the normalization of blood glucose concentrations. Islet remodeling through the loss of hyperplastic alpha-cells was evident by day 11 after pump implantation; by 25 days postimplantation, PC2(-/-) islets were indistinguishable from wild-type islets. These rapid changes were brought about by induction of apoptosis in the alpha-cell population. Morphological normalization of islets was also accompanied by marked downregulation of endogenous preproglucagon gene expression, but with little or no change in the level of preproinsulin gene expression. Exogenous glucagon delivery also normalized hepatic expression of the gluconeogenic enzyme PEPCK. These results demonstrate that the lack of mature glucagon in PC2(-/-) mice is responsible for the aberrant blood glucose levels, islet morphology, and gene expression, and they confirm the role of glucagon as a tonic insulin antagonist in regulating glycemia.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
AIM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Feb
pubmed:issn
0012-1797
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
51
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
398-405
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-14
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2002
pubmed:articleTitle
Glucagon replacement via micro-osmotic pump corrects hypoglycemia and alpha-cell hyperplasia in prohormone convertase 2 knockout mice.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't