Presenter Name: Emily Hill
Description
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a serious disease in which beta cells of the pancreas have decreased or lost their ability to secrete insulin. The orphan nuclear receptors Nr4a1 and Nr4a3 are necessary for proper insulin secretion. Furthermore, unsaturated fatty acids preferentially bind to Nr4a1 and Nr4a3, which decreases the ability of the Nr4a's to bind DNA promoters and drive gene expression. Therefore, we hypothesized that Ins-1 beta cells treated with oleate have decreased expression of succinate dehydrogenase (SdH) and enolase-1 (Eno1), two of the downstream genetic targets of Nr4a1 and Nr4a3, and that insulin secretion is decreased. Here we present our findings from our measurements of mRNA and protein expression of SdH and Eno1 in Ins-1 beta cells cultured with varying concentrations of oleate via qPCR and western blotting. In addition, we measured glucose stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) under the same experimental conditions. A more thorough understanding of the effects of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids on Nr4a1 and Nr4a3 will have serious implications on the dietary habits of pre-diabetic individuals.
University / Institution: Brigham Young University
Type: Poster
Format: In Person
Presentation #B90
SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
Area of Research: Science & Technology
Email: emilyymariehill@gmail.com
Faculty Mentor: Jeffery Tessem