{
  "id": 7337207,
  "title": "Heterogeneity in cell-cycle dynamics of synthetic mRNA-induced β-cell proliferation",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/heterogeneity-in-cell-cycle-dynamics-of-synthetic-mrna-induced-cell",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-14T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "bioRxiv",
    "slug": "biorxiv",
    "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.11.750925v1?rss=1"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The study investigates the cell-cycle dynamics of synthetic mRNA-induced β-cell proliferation in adult pancreatic β-cells, which are typically locked in a quiescent state, limiting comprehensive cell cycle analysis. Synthetic in vitro transcribed mRNAs encoding Cyclin D1 and CDK4 were employed to stimulate proliferation in up to 70% of primary rat β-cells. Flow cytometry analysis revealed significant heterogeneity in β-cell cell-cycle progression, with five distinct groups of proliferating β-cells identified based on G1 entry timing. The total cell-cycle length varied from approximately 26 to 34 hours, primarily determined by variability in G1 duration (13-19 hours). Fastest-dividing β-cells exhibited a shorter G1 phase (13 hours), followed by S and G2M phases of approximately 6 and 7 hours, respectively. Later-entering β-cells had progressively longer G1 phases. Additionally, a small subpopulation of β-cells failed to complete division and may have exited the cell cycle. The findings underscore cell-cycle entry and G1 progression as major contributors to β-cell proliferation heterogeneity and provide a quantitative benchmark for devising strategies to facilitate controlled β-cell regeneration in diabetes.",
  "summary": "Adult pancreatic {beta}-cells are mostly locked in quiescence, limiting large-scale analysis of their cell cycle. To overcome this limitation, we used synthetic in vitro transcribed mRNAs encoding Cyclin D1 and CDK4 to induce proliferation in up to 70% of primary rat {beta}-cells. Flow cytometry-based analysis of cell-cycle markers revealed substantial heterogeneity in {beta}-cell cell-cycle…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}