Lipotoxic Stress Induces Pancreatic β-Cell Apoptosis through Modulation of Bcl-2 Proteins by the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System.

Pancreatic β-cell loss induced by saturated free fatty acids (FFAs) is believed to contribute to type 2 diabetes. Previous studies have shown induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, increased ubiquitinated proteins, and deregulation of the Bcl-2 family in the pancreas of type 2 diabetic patients. However, the precise mechanism of β-cell death remains unknown.