Work described herein provides, in one embodiment, a method for increasing proliferation or replication of pancreatic beta cells in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to said subject an effective amount of an agent that increases the level or activity of hepatocellular carcinoma-associated protein TD26 (TD26), thereby increasing proliferation or replication of pancreatic beta cells. Such an agent may function by, for example, increasing the level of active TD26 in the subject or by increasing the functional activity of TD26 in the subject.
