XBP1 splicing contributes to endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced human islet amyloid polypeptide up-regulation

As a pathological hallmark of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM),islet amyloid is formed by the aggregation of islet amyloid polypeptide(IAPP).Endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress interacts with IAPP aggregates and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of T2DM.To examine the role of ER stress in T2DM,we cloned the hIAPP promoter and analyzed its promoter activity in human b-cells.We found that ER stress significantly enhanced hIAPP promoter activity and expression in human b-cells via triggering X-box binding protein 1(XBP1)splicing.We identified a binding site of XBP1 in the hIAPP promoter.Disruption of this binding site by substitution or deletion mutagenesis significantly diminished the effects of ER stress on hIAPP promoter activity.Blockade of XBP splicing by MKC3946 treatment inhibited ER stress-induced hIAPP up-regulation and improved human b-cell survival and function.Our study uncovers a link between ER stress and IAPP at the transcriptional level and may provide novel insights into the role of ER stress in IAPP cytotoxicity and the pathogenesis of T2DM.

Amyloidβ-based therapy for Alzheimer’s disease:challenges,successes and future

Amyloidβprotein(Aβ)is the main component of neuritic plaques in Alzheimer’s disease(AD),and its accumulation has been considered as the molecular driver of Alzheimer’s pathogenesis and progression.Aβhas been the prime target for the development of AD therapy.However,the repeated failures of Aβ-targeted clinical trials have cast considerable doubt on the amyloid cascade hypothesis and whether the development of Alzheimer’s drug has followed the correct course.