Diabetes Mellitus and the β Cell: the Last Ten Years

Overview

Journal Cell

Publisher Cell Press

Specialty Cell Biology

Date 2012 Mar 20

PMID 22424227

Citations 432

Authors

Frances M Ashcroft

Patrik Rorsman

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Diabetes is a major global problem. During the past decade, the genetic basis of various monogenic forms of the disease, and their underlying molecular mechanisms, have been elucidated. Many genes that increase type 2 diabetes (T2DM) risk have also been identified, but how they do so remains enigmatic. Nevertheless, defective insulin secretion emerges as the main culprit in both monogenic and polygenic diabetes, with environmental and lifestyle factors, via obesity, accounting for the current dramatic increase in T2DM. There also have been significant advances in therapy, particularly for some monogenic disorders. We review here what ails the β cell and how its function may be restored.

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