The research program in the Hormones & Metabolism Discovery Research Laboratory of Dr. Franck Mauvais-Jarvis ranges from basic research to translational approaches and clinical studies to better understand the role of biological sex (chromosomes) and sex hormones (estrogens, androgens and progestogens) in metabolism and metabolic disease.
Learn about our current work.
Role of the Androgen Receptor in Insulin Secretion in the Male
The role of testosterone deficiency as a cause of pancreatic beta–cell dysfunction predisposing to type 2 diabetes (T2D) in men is poorly studied. While it is established that testosterone action is mediated via the AR, a ligand-activated transcription factor, the role of the AR in beta-cell function is still poorly understood. Our published far-reaching preliminary data demonstrated that testosterone action on the androgen receptor (AR) in male insulin-producing pancreatic beta-cells enhances insulin secretion by amplifying glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) actions. The goal of this project is to further elucidate the molecular bases by which DHT-activated AR stimulates cAMP production and enhances GLP-1 signaling at the plasma membrane and endosomes to increase insulin secretion in males. This study will fill key gaps in our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of beta-cell function and will have a lasting scientific impact and open clinically relevant avenues for androgen-deficient male with diabetes.
Learn more about our current members, alumni, and collaborators.
Browse the scientific discoveries and advances from our lab.
Cell reports · 2018-06-01
Estrogens Promote Misfolded Proinsulin Degradation to Protect Insulin Production and Delay Diabetes.
Read publicationDiabetes · 2018-10-10
Loss of Nuclear and Membrane Estrogen Receptor-α Differentially Impairs Insulin Secretion and Action in Male and Female Mice.
Read publicationDiabetes · 2020-08-27
Intracrine Testosterone Activation in Human Pancreatic β-Cells Stimulates Insulin Secretion.
Read publicationCell reports. Medicine · 2022-04-07
Efficacy of glucagon-like peptide-1 and estrogen dual agonist in pancreatic islets protection and pre-clinical models of insulin-deficient diabetes.
Read publicationNature reviews. Nephrology · 2023-11-03
Sex differences in energy metabolism: natural selection, mechanisms and consequences.
Read publicationCell reports · 2023-05-17
Architecture of androgen receptor pathways amplifying glucagon-like peptide-1 insulinotropic action in male pancreatic β cells.
Read publicationbioRxiv : the preprint server for biology · 2024-04-22
Single cell regulatory architecture of human pancreatic islets suggests sex differences in β cell function and the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.
Read publicationJCI insight · 2021-08-23
SARS-CoV-2 infection of the pancreas promotes thrombofibrosis and is associated with new-onset diabetes.
Read publicationMolecular metabolism · 2019-02-14
Activation of hepatic estrogen receptor-α increases energy expenditure by stimulating the production of fibroblast growth factor 21 in female mice.
Read publicationCell metabolism · 2016-05-10
Extranuclear Actions of the Androgen Receptor Enhance Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion in the Male.
Read publicationJCI insight · 2018-06-21
Androgen excess in pancreatic β cells and neurons predisposes female mice to type 2 diabetes.
Read publicationBrowse the scientific discoveries and advances from our lab.
NIGMS · $11,398,101
COBRE in Sex-based Precision Medicine
NIDDK · $1,469,036
Repurposing estrogens to improve pancreatic islet transplantation
VA · $2,662,000
Role of the androgen receptor in insulin secretion
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