# The Role of Oxidative Phosphorylation Complexes in Beta Cell Biology

> **NIH NIH F32** · UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2021 · $66,390

## Abstract

Project Summary
The insulin-secreting pancreatic beta cell is a highly metabolic cell type and its dysfunction is a main cause of
diabetes pathogenesis. The beta cell is reliant on mitochondrial function and energy production for glucose-
stimulated insulin secretion. Mitochondrial ATP production is accomplished by 5 multi-subunit complexes of the
oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system. The increase in the ATP:ADP ratio in the beta cell cytosol is the
triggering signal for insulin release. Although a net decrease in ATP production would have an impact on beta
cell function and insulin secretion, the impact of individual OXPHOS complex defects on beta cell biology and
function remains unknown. Indeed, there are a broad spectrum of human diseases caused by defects in
individual OXPHOS complexes ranging from neurodegeneration to cardiomyopathies, including maternally-
inherited diabetes, suggesting a diverse range of downstream pathomechanisms. Therefore, the objective of this
proposal is to elucidate the impact of three individual OXPHOS complexes (Complex I, III, and IV) in the context
of the pancreatic beta cell. The hypothesis is that defects in individual OXPHOS complexes will result in distinct
signaling pathway changes that will alter beta cell biology. Based on preliminary data, it is also hypothesized that
Complex III deficient islets develop a severe hyperglycemic phenotype due to increased production of reactive
oxygen species and oxidative stress. This proposal and training plan will provide the applicant with an excellent
training environment with two recognized experts in islet physiology and mitochondrial diseases as co-mentors.
Being a collaboration between two laboratories will allow the applicant ample opportunities to broaden her
knowledge of a new research area, learn new scientific models and technical skills, enhance her critical thinking
and rigorous experimental design, and set the stage to translate research questions to human pancreatic
samples.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10234962
- **Project number:** 1F32DK127691-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Anna L Lang
- **Activity code:** F32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $66,390
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-04-01 → 2024-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10234962

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10234962, The Role of Oxidative Phosphorylation Complexes in Beta Cell Biology (1F32DK127691-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10234962. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*