The role of A20 in beta cell survival

糖尿病是一种在西方世界已达到流行比例的疾病。近100万澳大利亚人患有糖尿病;其中许多人将遭受使人衰弱的继发性并发症，导致显著的发病率和死亡率，造成相当大的社会和经济代价。并发症包括心脏病发作、中风、肾病、失明和截肢。有两种形式的糖尿病（I型和2型），虽然它们的病因有相当大的差异，但这两种形式都导致身体无法控制血糖水平。β细胞释放激素胰岛素，调节血糖水平。目前的知识表明，β细胞质量的损失对这两种疾病都很重要。对于I型糖尿病，β细胞被免疫系统破坏。虽然2型糖尿病的原因不太清楚，但很明显β细胞正在死亡。我们的研究重点是了解控制β细胞存活和调节其死亡的分子途径。这些知识将帮助我们了解导致糖尿病发展的复杂过程。此外，我们可以利用这些知识设计基因工程策略，以创造“不死”的β细胞，作为治疗糖尿病的潜在治疗策略。

Diabetes mellitus is a disease reaching epidemic proprotions in the western world. Nearly one million Australians have diabetes mellitus; many of these people will suffer debilitating secondary complications, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality at considerable social and economic cost. Complications include heart attack, stroke, kidney disaease, blindness and limb amputation. There are two forms of diabetes (type I and type 2), and though there are considerable differences in their etiology, both forms result in an inability of the body to control blood sugar levels. Beta cells release the hormone insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels. Current knowledge suggests that a loss of beta cell mass is important for both diseases. For type I diabetes the beta cells are destroyed by the immune system. Though for type 2 diabetes the causes are less clear, it is apparent that the beta cells are dying. Our research is focused on understanding the molecular pathways that control beta cell survival and regulate their death. Such knowledge would help us understand the complex processes leading to the development of diabetes. Furthermore, we could use this knowledge in the design of genetic engineering strategies to create 'death-defying' beta cells, as a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of diabetes.