MRNA expression analysis of cell cycle genes in islets of pregnant mice.

ABSTRACT:

Aims/hypothesis

Pregnancy requires an increase in the functional beta cell mass to match metabolic needs for insulin. To understand this adaptation at the molecular level, we undertook a time course analysis of mRNA expression in mice.

Methods

Total RNA extracted from C57Bl6/J mouse islets every 3 days during pregnancy was hybridised on commercially available expression arrays. Gene network analysis was performed and changes in functional clusters over time visualised. The function of putative novel cell cycle genes was assessed via silencing in replicating mouse insulinoma 6 (MIN6) cells.

Results

Gene network analysis identified a large gene cluster associated with cell cycle control (67 genes, all upregulated by ≥ 1.5-fold, p < 0.001). The number of upregulated cell

SUBMITTER: Schraenen A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2974927 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature