Scientists find new mechanism for controlling blood glucose levels

Scientists from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology and the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences have found the CNOT3 protein in the human body, which plays a key role in regulating blood glucose levels.

According to Medical Express, this protein suppresses the activity of a set of genes that would otherwise cause the cells in the pancreas - beta islet cells - that secrete insulin to malfunction, which could lead to diabetes.

The CNOT3 protein is secreted by many organs and regulates different genes in different tissues. In particular, it functions in the islet cells of the pancreas.

Using mice as an example, the experts examined whether the expression of CNOT3 in diabetic mice differs from that in non-diabetic mice. As it turned out, a significant decrease in CNOT3 values ​​was found in the pancreas of diabetic mice.

To further investigate the protein's function, the researchers blocked its production in beta cells in healthy mice. Within 4 weeks, the metabolism of the animals was functioning normally, but by the 8th week, they developed full-fledged glucose intolerance, and by the 12th week - diabetes mellitus. It turned out that without CNOT3, some genes that are normally turned off in beta cells turn on and start making proteins, and this prevents beta cells from releasing insulin in response to glucose.

Also, scientists have identified a link between CNOT3 and mRNA - necessary for protein synthesis - of these usually turned-off genes. Under normal conditions, mRNA of the studied genes is practically not expressed. But when CNOT3 is removed, the mRNA becomes much more stable. The protein was produced from stabilized mRNA, which harmed tissue function. At least one of the ways to turn off the studied genes is to destabilize their mRNA, controlled by CNOT3 activity.

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