Colleges
Daniela Nasteska
MD, PhD
Diabetes UK RD Lawrence Fellow
Bringing the focus back on protein synthesis in islets
As a fundamental process, protein synthesis in pancreatic beta cells sustains their structure and function. My Diabetes UK-funded project explores protein synthesis dynamics in pancreatic islets over time and across beta cell population, searching for subpopulations with differential synthesis. The study aims to clarify the mechanisms that define total protein turnover, thus widening T2D treatment options with drugs modulating protein synthesis and ultimately beta cell function and survival.
Background: I trained as a medical doctor in Macedonia and transitioned to research during my PhD studies. I earned my PhD in Japan, at the Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Kyoto University. My work there centred around incretin pathophysiology in obesity and type 2 diabetes. Following PhD completion, I moved to the Centre for Diabetes Research at Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) in Belgium, where I worked on mechanisms underlying premature beta cell death in type 2 diabetes. After moving to the University of Birmingham, I widened my scope of research with the following projects: beta cell heterogeneity and its importance in sustaining normal insulin secretion, describing key factors managing glucose metabolism in beta cells and longitudinal assessment of protein turnover in islets.
Recent publications
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LDHB contributes to the regulation of lactate levels and basal insulin secretion in human pancreatic β cells
Hodson D., (2024), Cell Reports
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LDHB contributes to the regulation of lactate levels and basal insulin secretion in human pancreatic β cells
Hodson D., (2024), Cell Reports
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PEPITEM modulates leukocyte trafficking to reduce obesity-induced inflammation.
Pezhman L. et al, (2023), Clin Exp Immunol, 212, 1 - 10
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Revealing the tissue-level complexity of endogenous glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor expression and signaling.
Ast J. et al, (2023), Nat Commun, 14
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GC-globulin/vitamin D-binding protein is Required for Pancreatic α Cell Adaptation to Metabolic Stress.
Viloria K. et al, (2022), Diabetes
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Lack of ZnT8 protects pancreatic islets from hypoxia- and cytokine-induced cell death.
Karsai M. et al, (2022), J Endocrinol, 253, 1 - 11
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Isoform-specific Roles of Prolyl Hydroxylases in the Regulation of Pancreatic β-Cell Function.
Hoang M. et al, (2022), Endocrinology, 163
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Nicotinamide riboside has minimal impact on energy metabolism in mouse models of mild obesity.
Cartwright DM. et al, (2021), The Journal of endocrinology, 251, 111 - 123