Regulation of growth hormone expression by Delta-like protein 1 (Dlk1).

ABSTRACT: Delta-like protein 1 (Dlk1) is a transmembrane protein characterized by epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like repeats. Dlk1, which is also known as preadipocyte factor 1 (pref-1) because of its ability to inhibit preadipocyte differentiation, regulates the differentiation of several other cell types through unknown mechanisms. To elucidate Dlk1 functions, identification of Dlk1-regulated target genes is critical. The observation that Dlk1 is expressed in many endocrine tissues suggests that Dlk1 may have endocrine-related functions. Because Dlk1 is expressed in GH producing cells, we hypothesize that one function of Dlk1 is to regulate GH expression. We found that GH mRNA, protein, and secretion were significantly decreased in GH3 pituitary cell clones that stably express Dlk1. In contrast, D

SUBMITTER: Ansell PJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1974851 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature