IRE1 inhibition perturbs the unfolded protein response in a pancreatic β-cell line expressing mutant proinsulin, but does not sensitize the cells to apoptosis

The Akita mutation (C96Y) in the insulin gene

Although maximal induction of most UPR genes requires IRE1, inhibition of IRE1 does not affect ERAD of misfolded proinsulin or predispose pancreatic β-cells expressing misfolded proinsulin to chronic ER stress-induced apoptosis.

The IRE1 endoribonuclease inhibitors 4μ8c and MKC-3946 prevented the splicing of the XBP1 mRNA in response to ER stress caused by mutant proinsulin production. Microarray expression analysis and qPCR validation of select genes revealed that maximal upregulation of many UPR genes in response to mutant proinsulin production required IRE1, although most were still increased above control. Interestingly, neither degradation of misfolded proinsulin via ER-associated degradation (ERAD), nor apoptosis induced by prolonged misfolded proinsulin expression were affected by inhibiting IRE1. Conclusions: Although maximal induction of most UPR genes requires IRE1, inhibition of IRE1 does not affect ERAD of misfolded proinsulin or predispose pancreatic β-cells expressing misfolded proinsulin to chronic ER stress-induced apoptosis.