Overexpression of Metallothionein in Pancreatic β-Cells Reduces Streptozotocin-Induced DNA Damage and Diabetes

Abstract

The release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been proposed as a cause of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced β-cell damage. This initiates a destructive cascade, consisting of DNA damage, excess activation of the DNA repair enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, and depletion of cellular NAD⁺. Metallothionein (MT) is an inducible antioxidant protein that has been shown to protect DNA from chemical damage in several cell types. Therefore, we examined whether overexpression of MT could protect β-cell DNA and thereby prevent STZ-induced diabetes. Two lines of transgenic mice were produced with up to a 30-fold elevation in β-cell MT. Cultured islets from control mice and MT transgenic mice were exposed to STZ. MT was found to decrease STZ-induced islet disruption, DNA breakage, and depletion of NAD⁺. To assess in vivo protection, transgenic and control mice were injected with STZ. Transgenic mice had significantly reduced hyperglycemia. Ultrastructural examination of islets from STZ-treated mice showed that MT prevented degranulation and cell death. These results demonstrate that MT can reduce diabetes and confirm the DNA damage mechanism of STZ-induced β-cell death.