Roles for the long non-coding RNA <i>Pax6os1</i>/<i>PAX6-AS1</i> in pancreatic beta cell function

Journal article

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as crucial regulators of beta cell function. Here, we show that an lncRNA-transcribed antisense to Pax6, annotated as Pax6os1/PAX6-AS1, was upregulated by high glucose concentrations in human as well as murine beta cell lines and islets. Elevated expression was also observed in islets from mice on a high-fat diet and patients with type 2 diabetes. Silencing Pax6os1/PAX6-AS1 in MIN6 or EndoC-βH1 cells increased several beta cell signature genes' expression. Pax6os1/PAX6-AS1 was shown to bind to EIF3D, indicating a role in translation of specific mRNAs, as well as histones H3 and H4, suggesting a role in histone modifications. Important interspecies differences were found, with a stronger phenotype in humans. Only female Pax6os1 null mice fed a high-fat diet showed slightly enhanced glucose clearance. In contrast, silencing PAX6-AS1 in human islets enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and increased calcium dynamics, whereas overexpression of the lncRNA resulted in the opposite phenotype.

Authors: Lopez-Noriega, L; Callingham, R; Martinez-Sánchez, A; Nawaz, S; Pizza, G

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Cell Press
• Journal: iScience
• Volume: 28
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 111518
• Publication date: 2024-12-09
• DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.111518
• EISSN: 2589-0042
• Pmid: 39811653
• Language: English
• Keywords: Molecular biology; Cellular Physiology; Cell biology