Hepatocyte nuclear factor 3beta (Foxa2) is dispensable for maintaining the differentiated state of the adult hepatocyte.

ABSTRACT: Liver-specific gene expression is controlled by a heterogeneous group of hepatocyte-enriched transcription factors. One of these, the winged helix transcription factor hepatocyte nuclear factor 3beta (HNF3beta or Foxa2) is essential for multiple stages of embryonic development. Recently, HNF3beta has been shown to be an important regulator of other hepatocyte-enriched transcription factors as well as the expression of liver-specific structural genes. We have addressed the role of HNF3beta in maintenance of the hepatocyte phenotype by inactivation of HNF3beta in the liver. Remarkably, adult mice lacking HNF3beta expression specifically in hepatocytes are viable, with histologically normal livers and normal liver function. Moreover, analysis of >8,000 mRNAs by array hybridization revealed th

SUBMITTER: Sund NJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC85966 | biostudies-literature | 2000 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature