The loss of miR-200 function protects β-cells against both oxidative and DNA damage stress and represses expression of pro-apoptotic genes.58 During the development of diabetes, up-regulation of miR-21 in β-cells induces apoptosis by degradation of BCL2 mRNA and inhibition of BCL2 mRNA translation59 (Table 2). Here, BCL2 is linked to diabetes mellitus.