The diabetes gene Pdx1 regulates the transcriptional network of pancreatic endocrine progenitor cells in mice.

ABSTRACT: Heterozygous mutations in the gene encoding the pancreatic homeodomain transcription factor pancreatic duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1) are associated with maturity onset diabetes of the young, type 4 (MODY4) and type 2 diabetes. Pdx1 governs the early embryonic development of the pancreas and the later differentiation of the insulin-producing islet beta cells of the endocrine compartment. We derived a Pdx1 hypomorphic allele that reveals a role for Pdx1 in the specification of endocrine progenitors. Mice homozygous for this allele displayed a selective reduction in endocrine lineages associated with decreased numbers of endocrine progenitors and a marked reduction in levels of mRNA encoding the proendocrine transcription factor neurogenin 3 (Ngn3). During development, Pdx1 occupies an evolution

SUBMITTER: Oliver-Krasinski JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2701861 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature