Analysis of the Function of a Novel Membrane Protein that Regulates Glucose Stimulated Insulin Secretion in Pancreatic Beta-cells

一种新的膜蛋白，暂定为AI，通过基因敲除实验被认为可以正向调节胰岛β细胞的葡萄糖刺激的胰岛素分泌(GSIS)。研究表明，AI分子在其胞外区以同亲的方式相互作用。我们还发现，糖酵解途径的限速酶--磷酸果糖激酶(PFK)是AI细胞质结构域的结合分子。在AI基因敲除的小鼠中观察到糖耐量受损，这表明AI在体内调节GSIS。

A novel membrane protein, which is tentatively named as AI, has been suggested to positively regulate Glucose Stimulated Insulin Secretion (GSIS) in pancreatic beta-cells by gene knock-down experiments. It was revealed that AI molecules interact in a homophilic manner in their extracellular domain. We also identified phosphofructokinase (PFK), which is a rate-limiting enzyme of Glycolysis pathway, as a binding molecule to the cytoplasmic domain of AI. Impaired Glucose Tolerance was observed in AI knockout mice suggesting that AI regulates GSIS in vivo.