Urano publishes research on the connection between loss of WFS1 function and ER stress-mediated inflammation

Publication: endocrinology.wustl.edu | Publication Date: June 10, 2022

Authors: Morikawa, S., Blacher, L., Onwumere, C., & Urano F.

On March 25, Fumihiko Urano, MD, PhD and colleagues had their research titled “Loss of Function of WFS1 Causes ER Stress-Mediated Inflammation in Pancreatic Beta-Cells,” published in “Frontiers in Endocrinology.”

Wolfram syndrome is “a rare genetic disorder characterized by juvenile-onset diabetes mellitus, optic nerve atrophy, hearing loss, diabetes insipidus, and progressive neurodegeneration.” The main cause of Wolfram syndrome is when pathogenic variants appear in the WFS1 gene, causing it loss of function. This leads to regulatory issues in the production and secretion of insulin. Not only that, but ER calcium begins to deplete and cytosolic calpains activate — resulting in the activation of apoptosis cascades.

Morikawa, S., Blacher, L., Onwumere, C., & Urano, F. (2022). Loss of Function of WFS1 Causes ER Stress-Mediated Inflammation in Pancreatic Beta-Cells. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 13, Article 849204. Retrieved February 13, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2022.849204.