Doc2b Protects β-Cells Against Inflammatory Damage and Enhances Function.

Loss of functional β-cell mass is an early feature of type 1 diabetes. To release insulin, β-cells require soluble -ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complexes, as well as SNARE complex regulatory proteins like double C2 domain-containing protein β (Doc2b). We hypothesized that Doc2b deficiency or overabundance may confer susceptibility or protection, respectively, to the functional β-cell mass.