Methods For Identifying Compounds Effective To Increase The Expression Or Activity Of Aspartyl Aminopeptidase In Mammalian Pancreatic Islet Cells, And Methods For Decreasing Angiotensin II Levels In Mammalian Pancreatic Islet Cells
The methods provided herein are based on the discovery, as described in more detail herein, that aspartyl aminopeptidase (DAP) is expressed in mammalian pancreatic islet cells and that increased DAP expression results in decreased angiotensin II (Ang II) levels in the islet cells. Methods are provided for identifying compounds effective to increase the expression and/or activity of DAP in mammalian pancreatic islet cells and thereby are effective to decrease Ang II levels in the islet cells. Methods are also provided for decreasing Ang II levels in a subject having Ang II induced pancreas islet cell dysfunction and/or suffering or susceptible to type 1 diabetes, as well as for the treatment or prevention of type 1 diabetes comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the compound identified according to the methods herein.
