GABA Signaling Stimulates β Cell Regeneration in Diabetic Mice

Cell. 2017 Jan 12;168(1-2):7-9. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2016.12.006. Epub 2017 Jan 12.

Abstract

GABA and the antimalarial drug artemether, which acts on GABAergic pathways, can drive pancreatic cells with an α-cell phenotype toward a β-cell-like phenotype. As reported in two papers (Ben-Othman et al. and Li et al.), these drugs can stimulate the production of sufficient numbers of new β-like cells to reverse severe diabetes in mice.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / metabolism*
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Regeneration
  • Signal Transduction
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / metabolism

Substances

  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid