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ForumVolume 37, Issue 1p7-11 1Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada 2Imaging Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA 3Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada 4Department of Pharmacology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada 5Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada 6Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia,...

Abstract Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK) 1 is one of four isozymes that inhibit the oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA via pyruvate dehydrogenase. PDK activity is elevated in fasting or starvation conditions to conserve carbohydrate reserves. PDK has also been shown to increase mitochondrial fatty acid utilization. In cardiomyocytes, metabolic flexibility is crucial for the fulfillment of high energy requirements.

Keywords human islets type 2 diabetes stem cell-derived islets insulin secretion proteomics macronutrients RNA-seq Introduction Insulin is released by pancreatic islet beta cells in response to nutrient stimuli to maintain energy homeostasis. The major driver of insulin secretion is glucose. However, proteins and fats may also modulate insulin release, and the effects of non-carbohydrate nutrients on insulin secretion remain underexplored.