Authors: Takao Iwawaki, Ryoko Akai, Kenji Kohno
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0013052
Abstract Summary
Researchers created conditional knockout mice lacking IRE1α, a key enzyme in cellular stress response, to understand its role in specific organs. These mice showed mild diabetes symptoms (low insulin, high blood sugar) and weight issues. IRE1α deficiency damaged pancreatic and salivary gland tissues and reduced antibody production, but surprisingly didn’t affect liver function—contrasting with previous findings on XBP1, its downstream target.
Why Brain? 🧠
IRE1α gene deletion in mice causes pancreatic and salivary gland abnormalities, elevated blood sugar, low insulin, and reduced antibody levels, revealing its critical role in secretory tissue function and metabolism.
License: CC BY.
The image is AI-generated for illustrative purposes only. Courtesy of Midjourney.
