HBP1 inhibits the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus through transcriptional activation of the IGFBP1 gene

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disease that is highly prevalent worldwide and characterized by glucose and lipid metabolism disorders. However, the pathogenic mechanisms have not been fully established. Here, we found that HMG-box transcription factor 1 (HBP1) is involved in T2DM and that its deficiency in mice aggravates the features of diabetes. In addition, we undertook screening by RNA sequencing and found that HBP1 activates the transcription of the insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP1) gene. Moreover, Insulin and palmitic acid reduced HBP1 protein expression and inhibited its binding to the IGFBP1 promoter. Furthermore, HBP1 reduced the serum free insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) concentration through IGFBP1 and inhibited the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. This forms an insulin/HBP1/IGFBP1 negative feedback regulatory loop to dynamically regulate blood glucose and insulin concentrations. These findings have elucidated a mechanism whereby HBP1 and its negative feedback regulatory loop influence the development of T2DM, thereby providing a new theoretical basis and potential therapeutic target for T2DM.