SIRT4 activities
Methods of modulating insulin secretion and treating metabolic disorders by modulating the expression or activity of Sirt4 are provided.
1. A method of modulating insulin secretion in response to glucose, comprising administering an agent to modulate the expression or activity of Sirt4 in an insulin-secreting cell.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein insulin secretion is increased by decreasing the expression or activity of Sirt4.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein insulin secretion is decreased by increasing the expression or activity of Sirt4.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein insulin secretion is modulated in vitro.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein insulin secretion is modulated in a subject.
6. A method of treating a metabolic disorder, comprising administering to a subject an agent that modulates the expression or activity of Sirt4 in an amount effective to treat the metabolic disorder.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the metabolic disorder includes at least one of diabetes, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and pre-diabetes.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the levels of Sirt4 are modulated in an insulin-secreting cell.
9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the agent is an antagonistic nucleic acid that reduces Sirt4 expression.
10. The method of claim 6 , wherein the agent comprises an siRNA that targets Sirt4 mRNA.
11. A method of treating a symptom of a neurodegenerative disorder, comprising administering to a subject a compound that increases the expression or activity of Sirt4 in an amount effective to treat the neurodegenerative disorder.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the neurodegenerative disorder involves accumulation of β-amyloid peptide.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the neurodegenerative disorder is Alzheimer's disease.