# Role of Circadian Misalignment in Beta-cell Failure in Type 2 Diabetes

> **NIH NIH R01** · MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER · 2024 · $495,940

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Pancreatic β-cell failure in a distinctive feature of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and therefore preservation of
β-cell health has been identified as a critical barrier for the development of successful preventative and treatment
strategies in T2DM. Primary features of β-cell failure include insulin secretory dysfunction, loss of transcriptional
identity/β-cell dedifferentiation, and β-cell loss, with growing evidence pointing to impaired endoplasmic reticulum
(ER) proteostasis as a key driver of this process. Recent evidence suggests that environmental stress conditions
that produce disruptions of daily fasting/feeding circadian cycles (i.e. circadian disruption, CD) lead to glucose
intolerance, hyperglycemia, and promote β-cell failure in T2DM. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying
circadian control of β-cell function and ER proteostasis remain unknown. In this regard, our preliminary studies
determined that CD-mediated abrogation of normal fasting/feeding cycles is a potent physiological inducer of β-
cell functional failure, and this process is molecularly mediated through loss of β-cell expression/activity of
circadian transcription factor D-box binding PAR bZIP transcription factor (Dbp). Therefore, the key objective of
the proposal is to test the hypothesis that Dbp is an important regulator of β-cell circadian function through
rhythmic activation of transcripts regulating insulin secretion and ER proteostasis, whereas loss of Dbp
expression, as occurs in β-cells in response to circadian disruption and diet-induced obesity, promotes β-cell
functional decline in T2DM. To address this, Specific Aim 1 will utilize novel conditional genetic loss and gain-of-
function Dbp mouse models to establish a causative relationship between circadian Dbp expression and the
regulation of β-cell function, ER proteostasis, and transcriptional identity. In addition, we will also examine
whether Dbp regulates β-cell function and transcription in human β-cells utilizing viral gain/loss of function
techniques concurrent with transplantation of human stem cell-derived β-cells into immunodeficient mice.
Specific Aim 2 will utilize β-cell-specific Dbp luciferase reporter mice and systems biology multiomics approaches
(RNAseq + scATAC seq) to 1) identify molecular mechanisms by which obesity disrupts circadian regulation of
Dbp expression and corresponding β-cell circadian clock function, and 2) test novel strategies designed to
restore normal functionality of β-cell circadian clocks in obesity as means to prevent β-cell failure in T2DM. Taken
together, successful completion of proposed studies will uncover novel molecular mechanisms through which β-
cells integrate and respond to circadian changes in nutritional availability and will provide potential therapeutic
targets for prevention and treatment of T2DM.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10830441
- **Project number:** 5R01DK098468-13
- **Recipient organization:** MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** ALEKSEY V MATVEYENKO
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $495,940
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2013-07-01 → 2027-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10830441

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10830441, Role of Circadian Misalignment in Beta-cell Failure in Type 2 Diabetes (5R01DK098468-13). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10830441. Licensed CC0.

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