The pancreatic ß-cell transcriptome and integrated-omics.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF REVIEW ß Cells represent one of many cell types in heterogeneous pancreatic islets and play the central role in maintaining glucose homeostasis, such that disrupting ß-cell function leads to diabetes. This review summarizes the methods for isolating and characterizing ß cells, and describes integrated 'omics' approaches used to define the ß cell by its transcriptome and proteome. RECENT FINDINGS: RNA sequencing and mass spectrometry-based protein identification have now identified RNA and protein profiles for mouse and human pancreatic islets and ß cells, and for ß-cell lines. Recent publications have outlined these profiles and, more importantly, have begun to assign the presence or absence of specific genes and regulatory molecules to ß-cell function and dysfunction. Overall, researchers have focused on understanding the pathophysiology of diabetes by connecting genome, transcriptome, proteome, and regulatory RNA profiles with findings from genome-wide association studies. SUMMARY: Studies employing these relatively new techniques promise to identify specific genes or regulatory RNAs with altered expression as ß-cell function begins to deteriorate in the spiral toward the development of diabetes. The ultimate goal is to identify the potential therapeutic targets to prevent ß-cell dysfunction and thereby better treat the individual with diabetes. VIDEO ABSTRACT http//links.lww.com/COE/A5.