Lack of the architectural factor HMGA1 causes insulin resistance and diabetes in humans and mice

Authors: Daniela Foti, Eusebio Chiefari et al.

Journal: Nature Medicine, June 2005.

The authors report a genetic flaw that markedly reduced the intracellular expression of the high mobility group A1 (HMGA1) protein, and adversely affected insulin receptor expression in cells and tissues from four subjects with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

In all, cell-surface insulin receptors were decreased and INSR gene transcription was considerably impaired, although the INSR genes were normal. In these individuals, the expression of HMGA1 was markedly reduced, suggesting that this defect may induce insulin resistance and diabetes.

Author contact:
Antonio Brunetti
Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica “G. Salvatore,” Università di Catanzaro “Magna Græcia,” via T. Campanella 115, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
E-mail: brunetti@unicz.it

Also available online.

(C) Nature Medicine.

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