Protein found that regulates glucose in humans, not in mice

By UCSF School of Pharmacy Editorial Staff / Tue Jun 2, 2009

A team of scientists, who were led by UCSF School of Pharmacy faculty member Frances Brodsky, DPhil, have found in humans a protein responsible for glucose metabolism that is not present in mice. Since mice are often used as models when studying diabetes and other diseases, the often unknown differences between mice and humans can create obstacles to direct translation of research. As a result, they need to be taken into account in understanding the progression of human disease, according to the researchers. The paper appeared in the May 29, 2009 issue of Science. Collaborators included scientists from UCSF, Harvard University Medical School, and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.