Talin-1 inhibits Smurf1-mediated Stat3 degradation to modulate β-cell proliferation and mass in mice

Insufficient pancreatic β-cell mass and reduced insulin expression are key events in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus (DM). Here we demonstrate the high expression of Talin-1 in β-cells and that deficiency of Talin-1 reduces β-cell proliferation, which leads to reduced β-cell mass and insulin expression, thus causing glucose intolerance without affecting peripheral insulin sensitivity in mice. High-fat diet fed exerbates these phenotypes. Mechanistically, Talin-1 interacts with the E3 ligase smad ubiquitination regulatory factor 1 (Smurf1), which prohibits ubiquitination of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) mediated by Smurf1, and ablation of Talin-1 enhances Smurf1-mediated ubiquitination of Stat3, leading to decreased β-cell proliferation and mass. Furthermore, haploinsufficiency of Talin-1 and Stat3 genes, but not that of either gene, in β-cell in mice significantly impairs glucose tolerance and insulin expression, indicating that both factors indeed function in the same genetic pathway. Finally, inducible deletion Talin-1 in β-cell causes glucose intolerance in adult mice. Collectively, our findings reveal that Talin-1 functions as a crucial regulator of β-cell mass, and highlight its potential as a therapeutic target for DM patients.