Lack of Prox1 Downregulation Disrupts the Expansion and Maturation of Postnatal Murine β-Cells.

ABSTRACT: Transcription factor expression fluctuates during β-cell ontogeny, and disruptions in this pattern can affect the development or function of those cells. Here we uncovered that murine endocrine pancreatic progenitors express high levels of the homeodomain transcription factor Prox1, whereas both immature and mature β-cells scarcely express this protein. We also investigated if sustained Prox1 expression is incompatible with β-cell development or maintenance using transgenic mouse approaches. We discovered that Prox1 upregulation in mature β-cells has no functional consequences; in contrast, Prox1 overexpression in immature β-cells promotes acute fasting hyperglycemia. Using a combination of immunostaining and quantitative and comparative gene expression analyses, we determined that Prox1 u

SUBMITTER: Paul L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4764148 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature