Possible Cure for Diabetes?

Researchers from the Larry L. Hillblom Islet Research Center at UCLA may have discovered the mechanism by which certain cells convert into pancreatic beta cells, which are the cells that release insulin.
While diabetes is relatively treatable, if they are able to convert related endocrine cells into beta cells, we can replace the failing cells, and will have a more permanent solution to treatment. These researchers found that methylation of DNA turns the activity of certain genes up or down.
In particular, methylation keeps ARX, a gene that triggers formation of glucagon-secreting alpha cells in the embryonic pancreas, silent in beta cells.
Also, deletion of Dnmt1, the enzyme responsible for DNA methylation, in beta cells will convert them into alpha cells.
While these findings aren't the final step in producing these beta cells, they do suggest that a defect in the methylation process might interfere with what a cell differentiates into. Researchers think there may be a similar mechanism by which they can produce beta cells from a variety of different cells.


I chose this article because Diabetes affects so many people in the world, and while it may be relatively treatable, can lead to other medical complications. The fact that we are getting to the point where we can control cell growth is also interesting, and will be a huge part of curing disease in the future.


http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-04-mechanism-cells-insulin-making.html