| First Author | Mbikay M | Year | 2010 |
| Journal | FEBS Lett | Volume | 584 |
| Issue | 4 | Pages | 701-6 |
| PubMed ID | 20026049 | Mgi Jnum | J:157666 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:4431328 | Doi | 10.1016/j.febslet.2009.12.018 |
| Citation | Mbikay M, et al. (2010) PCSK9-deficient mice exhibit impaired glucose tolerance and pancreatic islet abnormalities. FEBS Lett 584(4):701-6 |
| abstractText | Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), a liver-secreted plasma enzyme, restricts hepatic uptake of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by promoting the degradation of LDL receptors (LDLR). PCSK9 and LDLR are also expressed in insulin-producing pancreatic islet beta cells, possibly affecting the function of these cells. Here we show that, compared to control mice, PCSK9-null male mice over 4 months of age carried more LDLR and less insulin in their pancreas; they were hypoinsulinemic, hyperglycemic and glucose-intolerant; their islets exhibited signs of malformation, apoptosis and inflammation. Collectively, these observations suggest that PCSK9 may be necessary for the normal function of pancreatic islets. |
