Impact Of Islet Beta Cell Heparan Sulfate In Type 2 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$576,777.00
Summary
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic metabolic disease which ultimately leads to the death of insulin-producing islet beta cells, elevated blood sugar levels and daily insulin injections. Since beta cells require the complex sugar heparan sulfate (HS) for survival, we will investigate whether beta cell failure in T2D results from defective HS production. HS replacement will be evaluated as a new therapeutic strategy for preserving beta cell function and preventing the need for insulin injections.
Alpha-2-Macroglobulin And The Transport And Uptake Of The Hormone, Hepcidin
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$533,541.00
Summary
Hepcidin is a peptide hormone that is a major regulator of iron metabolism. It has been suggested that hepcidin is free in the blood. However, we recently identified that hepcidin binds with alpha-2-macroglobulin (a2-M) in the plasma and this increases the efficacy of this peptide. The demonstration that a2-M plays a role in hepcidin biology will lead to a better understanding of hepcidin physiology, the development of methods for its measurement and improved treatment of iron related diseases.