Glucose-responsive expression of the human insulin promoter in HepG2 human hepatoma cells

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2003 Nov:1005:237-41. doi: 10.1196/annals.1288.035.

Abstract

The concept of insulin production afforded by hepatic gene therapy retains promise as a potential therapy for type 1 diabetes, but the approach has been limited by the need for strict transgene regulation in response to fluctuating levels of both glucose and insulin. Furthermore, while hepatocytes contain various glucose-responsive elements, they lack the appropriate regulated secretory system necessary for insulin release, thereby necessitating the requirement for transcriptional regulation of hepatic insulin production under the direction of a glucose-responsive promoter. To address this, we have evaluated several glucose-responsive promoters that may be used successfully for hepatic insulin production via recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) therapy. Our results suggest that the human insulin promoter represents a strong candidate as a robust, glucose-responsive promoter for regulated hepatic insulin production.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology
  • DNA Primers
  • Fructose-Bisphosphatase / genetics
  • Glucose / physiology*
  • Glucose-6-Phosphatase / genetics
  • Humans
  • Insulin / genetics*
  • Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / metabolism*
  • Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic*
  • Rats
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Insulin
  • Fructose-Bisphosphatase
  • Glucose-6-Phosphatase
  • Glucose