ETV5 regulates proliferation and cell cycle genes in the INS‐1 (832/13) cell line independently of the concentration of secreted insulin

Abstract

The transcription factor ETV5 regulates acute insulin secretion. Adequate insulin secretion is dependent on pancreatic β‐cell size and cell proliferation, but the effects of ETV5 on proliferation, cell number, and viability, as well as its relationship with insulin secretion, have not been established yet. Here, we partially silenced ETV5 in the INS‐1 832/13 cell line by siRNA transfection, and then measured secreted insulin concentration at different timepoints, observing similar levels to control cells. After 72 hours of ETV5 silencing, we observed decreased cell number and proliferation, without any change on viability or apoptosis. Thus, partial silencing of ETV5 modulates cell proliferation in INS‐1 832/13 independently of secreted insulin levels via upregulation of E2F1 and of inhibitors of the cyclin/CDKs complexes (p21Cdkn1a, p27Cdkn1b, and p57Cdkn1c) and downregulation of cell cycle activators (PAK3 and FOS).