Peroxiredoxin III and apoptosis in beta cells

Type 1 diabetes is caused by the autoimmune destruction of beta cells which are sensitive to free radical attack. Wolf and colleagues used the Tet-On system to over- or under-express peroxiredoxin III (PRX III), an antioxidant enzyme which has been shown to protect against both oxidative and nitrosative stress, after treatment with various stressors. They found that PRX III protects pancreatic beta cells; reduced expression of PRX III decreased basal insulin secretion. This study highlights the potential of PRX III as a therapeutic agent for the prevention of apoptosis in beta cells, which could delay or prevent the manifestation of type 1 diabetes. Wolf et al. (2010) Journal of Endocrinology 207 163–175.

Read the full article at: DOI: 10.1677/JOE-09-0455.