Pancreatic islet β-cell dysfunction is a signature feature of Type 2 diabetes pathogenesis.
Consequently, knowledge of signals that regulate β-cell function is of immense clinical
relevance. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling plays a critical role in pancreatic
development although the role of this pathway in the adult pancreas is obscure. Here, we
define an important role of the TGF-β pathway in regulation of insulin gene transcription and
β-cell function. We identify insulin as a TGF-β target gene and show that the TGF-β signaling …