2014
Cell 2014 Jun 19;157(7):1577-90. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2014.05.016.
The diabetes susceptibility gene clec16a regulates mitophagy.
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine and the Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism of the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Division of Metabolism, Endo
Service type: Knockout mice
Abstract
Clec16a has been identified as a disease susceptibility gene for type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and adrenal dysfunction, but its function is unknown. Here we report that Clec16a is a membrane-associated endosomal protein that interacts with E3 ubiquitin ligase Nrdp1. Loss of Clec16a leads to an increase in the Nrdp1 target Parkin, a master regulator of mitophagy. Islets from mice with pancreas-specific deletion of Clec16a have abnormal mitochondria with reduced oxygen consumption and ATP concentration, both of which are required for normal β cell function. Indeed, pancreatic Clec16a is required for normal glucose-stimulated insulin release. Moreover, patients harboring a diabetogenic SNP in the Clec16a gene have reduced islet Clec16a expression and reduced insulin secretion. Thus, Clec16a controls β cell function and prevents diabetes by controlling mitophagy. This pathway could be targeted for prevention and control of diabetes and may extend to the pathogenesis of other Clec16a- and Parkin-associated diseases.
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