Uncoupling protein-2 negatively regulates insulin secretion and is a major link between obesity, β cell dysfunction, and type 2 diabetes

Chen Yu Zhang, György Baffy, Pascale Perret, Stefan Krauss, Odile Peroni, Danica Grujic, Thilo Hagen, Antonio J. Vidal-Puig, Olivier Boss, Young Bum Kim, Xin Xiao Zheng, Michael B. Wheeler, Gerald I. Shulman, Catherine B. Chan, Bradford B. Lowell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

847 Scopus citations

Abstract

β cells sense glucose through its metabolism and the resulting increase in ATP, which subsequently stimulates insulin secretion. Uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2) mediates mitochondrial proton leak, decreasing ATP production. In the present study, we assessed UCP2's role in regulating insulin secretion. UCP2-deficient mice had higher islet ATP levels and increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, establishing that UCP2 negatively regulates insulin secretion. Of pathophysiologic significance, UCP2 was markedly upregulated in islets of ob/ob mice, a model of obesity-induced diabetes. Importantly, ob/ob mice lacking UCP2 had restored first-phase insulin secretion, increased serum insulin levels, and greatly decreased levels of glycemia. These results establish UCP2 as a key component of β cell glucose sensing, and as a critical link between obesity, β cell dysfunction, and type 2 diabetes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)745-755
Number of pages11
JournalCell
Volume105
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Jun 2001
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Uncoupling protein-2 negatively regulates insulin secretion and is a major link between obesity, β cell dysfunction, and type 2 diabetes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this