TSC1-mTOR signaling determines the differentiation of islet cells

What is it about?

Maternal nutrition or stress during pregnancy affects offspring metabolism and tissue composition, although its underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. We report here that a protein named mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is critical for the development of islet cells. Increase of mTOR activity in pancreatic islet cells during development is associated with β cell hypertrophy, hyperinsulinemia and improved glucose tolerance in mice.

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