A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Keratin 7 is a constituent of the keratin network in mouse pancreatic islets and is upregulated in experimental diabetes
Authors: Alam Catharina M., Baghestani Sarah, Pajari Ada, Omary M. Bishr, Toivola Diana M.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Publication year: 2021
Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Journal name in source: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Article number: 7784
Volume: 22
Issue: 15
eISSN: 1422-0067
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22157784
Web address : https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22157784
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/66678666
Keratin (K) 7 is an intermediate filament protein expressed in ducts and glands of simple epithelial organs and in urothelial tissues. In the pancreas, K7 is expressed in exocrine ducts, and apico-laterally in acinar cells. Here, we report K7 expression with K8 and K18 in the endocrine islets of Langerhans in mice. K7 filament formation in islet and MIN6 β-cells is dependent on the presence and levels of K18. K18-knockout (K18‒/‒) mice have undetectable islet K7 and K8 proteins, while K7 and K18 are downregulated in K8‒/‒ islets. K7, akin to F-actin, is concentrated at the apical vertex of β-cells in wild-type mice and along the lateral membrane, in addition to forming a fine cytoplasmic network. In K8‒/‒ β-cells, apical K7 remains, but lateral keratin bundles are displaced and cytoplasmic filaments are scarce. Islet K7, rather than K8, is increased in K18 over-expressing mice and the K18-R90C mutation disrupts K7 filaments in mouse β-cells and in MIN6 cells. Notably, islet K7 filament networks significantly increase and expand in the perinuclear regions when examined in the streptozotocin diabetes model. Hence, K7 represents a significant component of the murine islet keratin network and becomes markedly upregulated during experimental diabetes.
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