CNRS UMR 7622, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, INSERM U969, 9 quai Saint Bernard, 75005, Paris, France,
Curr Diab Rep. 2013 Oct;13(5):624-32. doi: 10.1007/s11892-013-0403-y.
Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and noncoding RNA expression, contribute to regulate islet cell development and function. Indeed, epigenetic mechanisms were recently shown to be involved in the control of endocrine cell fate decision, islet differentiation, β-cell identity, proliferation, and mature function. Epigenetic mechanisms can also contribute to the pathogenesis of complex diseases. Emerging knowledge regarding epigenetic mechanisms suggest that they may be involved in β-cell dysfunction and pathogenesis of diabetes. Epigenetic mechanisms could predispose to the diabetic phenotype such as decline of β-cell proliferation ability and β-cell failure, and account for complications associated with diabetes. Better understanding of epigenetic landscapes of islet differentiation and function may be useful to improve β-cell differentiation protocols and discover novel therapeutic targets for prevention and treatment of diabetes.
表观遗传机制，包括 DNA 甲基化、组蛋白修饰和非编码 RNA 表达，有助于调节胰岛细胞的发育和功能。事实上，最近的研究表明，表观遗传机制参与了内分泌细胞命运决定、胰岛分化、β 细胞身份、增殖和成熟功能的调控。表观遗传机制也可能与复杂疾病的发病机制有关。关于表观遗传机制的新认识表明，它们可能与β细胞功能障碍和糖尿病的发病机制有关。表观遗传机制可能导致糖尿病表型，如β细胞增殖能力下降和β细胞衰竭，并解释与糖尿病相关的并发症。更好地了解胰岛分化和功能的表观遗传景观可能有助于改善β细胞分化方案，并发现预防和治疗糖尿病的新的治疗靶点。
