SERCA3-ATPases help regulate intracellular Ca2+ levels, critical for maintaining normal insulin secretion. To investigate the potential role of the SERCA3 pathway in diabetes, we assayed the cellular levels of SERCA3 and insulin proteins in EndoC-beta-H1 human pancreatic cell lines derived from normal and type-2 diabetic patients (T2D) using immunofluorescence, immunohistochemical microscopy, and western blots. The data indicate that both of the proteins are significantly lower in T2D patients. To determine whether SERCA3 is required for insulin secretion, we knocked down the ATP2A3 gene of the SERCA3 pathway in EndoC- beta-H1 cells, and verified the knockdown by qRT-PCR and Western blots. In the future, the knockdown cells will be assayed for insulin levels.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Robidas, Megan
• Chau, Victor

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042716-134734

Advisor

• Adams, David S.

Year

• 2016

Sponsor

• University of Massachusetts Medical Center
• Agata Jurczyk

Date created

• 2016-04-27

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biochemistry
• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright