Tectorigenin enhances PDX1 expression and protects pancreatic β-cells by activating ERK and reducing ER stress.

ABSTRACT: Pancreas/duodenum homeobox protein 1 (PDX1) is an important transcription factor that regulates islet β-cell proliferation, differentiation, and function. Reduced expression of PDX1 is thought to contribute to β-cell loss and dysfunction in diabetes. Thus, promoting PDX1 expression can be an effective strategy to preserve β-cell mass and function. Previously, we established a PDX1 promoter-dependent luciferase system to screen agents that can promote PDX1 expression. Natural compound tectorigenin (TG) was identified as a promising candidate that could enhance the activity of the promoter for the PDX1 gene. In this study, we first demonstrated that TG could promote the expression of PDX1 in β-cells via activating extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), as indicated by incre

SUBMITTER: Yao X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7489913 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature