Distinct populations of quiescent and proliferative pancreatic beta-cells identified by HOTcre mediated labeling.

ABSTRACT: Pancreatic beta-cells are critical regulators of glucose homeostasis, and they vary dramatically in their glucose stimulated metabolic response and levels of insulin secretion. It is unclear whether these parameters are influenced by the developmental origin of individual beta-cells. Using HOTcre, a Cre-based genetic switch that uses heat-induction to precisely control the temporal expression of transgenes, we labeled two populations of beta-cells within the developing zebrafish pancreas. These populations originate in distinct pancreatic buds and exhibit gene expression profiles suggesting distinct functions during development. We find that the dorsal bud derived beta-cells are quiescent and exhibit a marked decrease in insulin expression postembryonically. In contrast, ventral bud derive

SUBMITTER: Hesselson D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2736433 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature