Activin receptor-like kinase 7 induces apoptosis of pancreatic beta cells and beta cell lines

Abstract Aims/hypothesis  Activin receptor-like kinase 7 (ALK7), a member of the type I receptor serine/threonine kinases of the TGF-β superfamily, was recently reported to regulate cell proliferation and apoptosis. We hypothesised that ALK7 may play a role in modulating pancreatic beta cell proliferation and/or apoptosis.