Nov/Ccn3, a novel transcriptional target of FoxO1, impairs pancreatic β-cell function

PLoS One. 2013 May 21;8(5):e64957. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0064957. Print 2013.

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by both insulin resistance and progressive deterioration of β-cell function. The forkhead transcription factor FoxO1 is a prominent mediator of insulin signaling in β-cells. We reasoned that identification of FoxO1 target genes in β-cells could reveal mechanisms linking β-cell dysfunction to insulin resistance. In this study, we report the characterization of Nov/Ccn3 as a novel transcriptional target of FoxO1 in pancreatic β-cells. FoxO1 binds to an evolutionarily conserved response element in the Ccn3 promoter to regulate its expression. Accordingly, CCN3 levels are elevated in pancreatic islets of mice with overexpression of a constitutively active form of FoxO1 or insulin resistance. Our functional studies reveal that CCN3 impairs β-cell proliferation concomitantly with a reduction in cAMP levels. Moreover, CCN3 decreases glucose oxidation, which translates into inhibition of glucose-stimulated Ca(2+) entry and insulin secretion. Our results identify CCN3, a novel transcriptional target of FoxO1 in pancreatic β-cells, as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in the treatment of diabetes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Cell Cycle / genetics
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Conserved Sequence / genetics
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Forkhead Box Protein O1
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Glucose / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Insulin / metabolism
  • Insulin Resistance / genetics
  • Insulin Secretion
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / drug effects
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / metabolism*
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / pathology
  • Mice
  • Nephroblastoma Overexpressed Protein / genetics
  • Nephroblastoma Overexpressed Protein / metabolism*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • Protein Binding / genetics
  • Transcription, Genetic* / drug effects
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects
  • Up-Regulation / genetics

Substances

  • CCN3 protein, human
  • Forkhead Box Protein O1
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Foxo1 protein, mouse
  • Insulin
  • Nephroblastoma Overexpressed Protein
  • Glucose