New research may point to a cure for diabetes

Swedish researchers identified a molecule that can stimulate production of insulin-producing cells in zebrafish and mammalian tissue.

Their findings suggest science may be taking its first steps toward curing diabetes, a serious disease that affects 1 in 10 Americans and annually costs the United States about $327 billion in medical costs and lost work and wages.

The disease prevents a body from producing insulin – or from using its insulin well. Insulin helps blood sugar enter the cells, which use the sugar for energy. Insulin also signals the liver to store blood sugar for later use. If someone cannot produce or properly regulate insulin, they struggle with rising blood sugars, which can create serious health problems over time.

Before the hormone insulin was discovered in 1921, people suffering from diabetes tended to die young. Insulin injections help people with diabetes to control their blood sugar levels and lead relatively normal lives. Even so, diabetes remains the nation's seventh-leading cause of death.

A new study published in "Nature Chemical Biology" reports that researchers believe regenerating pancreatic β-cells may potentially cure diabetes by restoring the body's ability to secrete and regulate insulin. The key to a cure may be the small molecule CID661578, which scientists found to be a potent inducer of β-cell regeneration.

Apparently, CID661578 boosts protein synthesis and β-cell regeneration by blocking MAP kinase-interacting serine/threonine kinase 2 (MNK2) from binding eIF4G protein at the mRNA cap. Serine/threonine kinase receptors play a role in regulating cell proliferation and programmed cell death (apoptosis), among other things.

This blocking augments the interaction between two proteins, eIF4E and eIF4G, which is necessary for β-cell regeneration.

This research is another example of using science to fix the code governing our bodies' operations.

"Debug the code" is one of the seven strategies Methuselah Foundation uses to guide all of our investments, partnerships, and initiatives. The strategy recognizes that cells can be managed with changes to the information or code that controls them.  The code includes DNA, the "action code" or RNA, and proteins that actually do the work of the cells.

We believe – and research confirms – that finding ways to restore or correct cell function can help the body heal itself, extend life by curing age-related diseases for which no actual medical treatment exists and improve the quality of life for older people.

The Swedish research into this potential cure for diabetes continues, as does our commitment to using the seven strategies to focus our energies. If you'd like to support our mission, please donate.