12439 Investigating The Regulation Of Islet Alpha-cell Function Mediated By The ISL1 And LDB1 Transcriptional Complex
Authors: Deeba Iztiba M , Poole Samuel O , Liu Yanping , Hunter Chad S 
Published: October 2024

Disclosure: I. Deeba: None. S. Poole: None. Y. Liu: None. C. Hunter: None.

Glucose homeostasis is maintained by the action of insulin-secreting β-cells and glucagon-producing α-cells in the pancreatic islet. Diabetes, traditionally considered a dysglycemia centered on the β-cell, also has clear contributions by dysregulated α-cells. However, little is known of the key transcriptional regulators, including transcription factors (TFs) and interacting co-regulators, driving α-cell development and function. A published pancreas-wide knockout (KO) of the LIM-Homeodomain Islet-1 (ISL1) TF in mice led to a dominant β-cell phenotype, including glucose intolerance and reduced insulin secretion. However, significant reductions of glucagon (Gcg) and Arx mRNA and pancreatic GCG content were also noted, suggesting α-cell impacts. Furthermore, we demonstrated that pancreatic ISL1 activity involves interactions with the LDB1 scaffolding co-regulator. However, nothing is known of the comparative α-cell-specific target genes and functions of these protein partners. To first assess ISL1:LDB1 complexes in α-cells, we performed co-IP and proximity ligation assay (PLA) in mouse α-cell lines and found low-glucose stimulated ISL1 and LDB1 interactions. These observations led us to hypothesize that ISL1 and LDB1 complexes regulate transcription of target genes to drive α-cell function. To assess comparative DNA occupancy, we performed ChIP and observed significant ISL1 and LDB1 binding in conserved Gcg promoter and intronic domains. siRNA-mediated Isl1 or Ldb1 knockdown followed by RNA analysis revealed a similar differential expression of α-cell mRNAs (e.g., Gcg, IL6ra, Sox8, Cox5a, Atp5k, Atp5e), suggesting roles in α-cell function. To compare ISL1 and LDB1 importance in vivo, we developed two novel mouse α-cell ISL1 or LDB1 KO models using Gcg-Cre, termed Isl1Δα and Ldb1Δα, respectively. ISL1 and LDB1 loss was confirmed in α-cells by immunofluorescence. Significant fasting hypoglycemia and hypoglucagonemia were found in postnatal Isl1Δα and Ldb1Δα mice, along with decreased GCG+ cell numbers in Ldb1Δα mice, compared to controls. These findings underscore the crucial roles of these factors in regulating GCG production and secretion. Immunostaining for the MAFB α-cell TF in Ldb1Δα islets revealed potential heterogeneous MAFB expression, marked by MAFB+ cells lacking GCG, or co-expressing INS, each indicating a potential loss of α-cell identity. Our lineage tracing analysis revealed α-cell lineage labeled tomato+ cells in Isl1Δα mice appearing to co-express INS, suggesting transdifferentiation. Currently, inducible α-cell-specific KO mice are in development to investigate the role of ISL1 and LDB1 in adult α-cells. In the future, we will also explore the effects of α-cell-specific ISL1 or LDB1 deficiency during embryogenesis. Overall, our study will benefit efforts in identifying new molecular targets and cell-based therapies to combat diabetes.

Presentation: 6/1/2024