| abstract |
The present invention provides methods for depleting mitochondrial DNA from insulin secreting cells using antiviral compounds, and for producing mitochondrial cytoplasmic hybrid (“cybrid”) cells and animals from mitochondrial DNA depleted cells. Also provided are biological models for diseases associated with altered mitochondrial function, including NIDDM, and methods for diagnosis of such diseases and methods for screening agents useful for treating such diseases. Also provided are biological models and methods for evaluating an antiviral compound for its suitability for use in treating a virally-infected patient having a disease associated with impaired insulin secretion, and for evaluating modifications to antiviral compounds in order to determine if such modifications alter (e.g., ameriolate or exacerbate) undesirable side-effects associated with the antiviral compound. |