Complement C3 and Autophagy Keep the β Cell Alive

Cell Metab. 2019 Jan 8;29(1):4-6. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2018.12.010.

Abstract

Autophagy prevents pancreatic β cell death during obesity, although the mechanism of autophagy activation in the β cell has remained elusive. In this issue of Cell Metabolism, King et al. (2018) show that intracellular complement component C3 interacts with autophagy protein ATG16L1 and protects against β cell death by stimulating autophagy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Autophagy*
  • Autophagy-Related Proteins
  • Complement C3
  • Humans
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells*

Substances

  • ATG16L1 protein, human
  • Autophagy-Related Proteins
  • Complement C3