Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have made a breakthrough in understanding Type 2 diabetes. They discovered that in people with Type 2 diabetes, the molecular traffic system that manages glucose levels in pancreatic β-cells is impaired. Specifically, glucose transporters (GLUTs) that help glucose enter the cells are not functioning properly, leading to reduced insulin release.
The team used advanced live-cell imaging to track GLUTs in healthy and diabetic cells, finding that in diabetic cells, fewer GLUTs reach the cell membrane and their cycling is impaired. This slows down glucose entry and reduces insulin granules docking to the cell membrane, weakening the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar.
The study suggests that restoring proper GLUT trafficking could be a new therapeutic approach to treating Type 2 diabetes. In fact, the researchers have previously identified a plant-derived molecule, Pheophorbide A, that can boost insulin release by interacting with glucose transporters. This new understanding could lead to personalized therapies based on a patient’s metabolic state.