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Dysfunction and loss of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells represent hallmarks of diabetes mellitus. Here, we show that mice lacking the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38delta display improved glucose tolerance due to enhanced insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells. Deletion of p38delta results in pronounced activation of protein kinase D (PKD), the latter of which we have identified as a pivotal regulator of stimulated insulin exocytosis. p38delta catalyzes an inhibitory phosphorylation of PKD1, thereby attenuating stimulated insulin secretion. In addition, p38delta null mice are protected against high-fat-feeding-induced insulin resistance and oxidative stress-mediated beta cell failure. Inhibition of PKD1 reverses enhanced insulin secretion from p38delta-deficient islets and glucose tolerance in p38delta null mice as well as their susceptibility to oxidative stress. In conclusion, the p38delta-PKD pathway integrates regulation of the insulin secretory capacity and survival of pancreatic beta cells, pointing to a pivotal role for this pathway in the development of overt diabetes mellitus.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.cell.2008.11.018

Type

Journal article

Journal

Cell

Publication Date

23/01/2009

Volume

136

Pages

235 - 248

Keywords

Animals, Exocytosis, Female, Glucose, Golgi Apparatus, Insulin, Insulin Secretion, Insulin-Secreting Cells, Male, Mice, Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 13, Protein Kinase C, Type C Phospholipases