Novel function of transthyretin in pancreatic alpha cells.

Although transthyretin (TTR) is expressed in pancreatic alpha (glucagon) cells in the islets of Langerhans, the function of TTR in pancreatic alpha cells remains unknown. In this study, by using TTR knockout (TTR KO) mice, we determined the novel role of TTR in glucose homeostasis. We demonstrated that TTR KO mice evidenced impaired recovery of blood glucose and glucagon levels. Lack of TTR induced significantly lower levels of glucagon in the islets of Langerhans. These results suggest that TTR expressed in pancreatic alpha cells may play important roles in glucose homeostasis via regulating the expression of glucagon.