Genetic analysis reveals that PAX6 is required for normal transcription of pancreatic hormone genes and islet development

Item Type:	Article
Title:	Genetic analysis reveals that PAX6 is required for normal transcription of pancreatic hormone genes and islet development
Creators Name:	Sander, M. and Neubüser, A. and Kalamaras, J. and Ee, H.C. and Martin, G.R. and German, M.S.
Abstract:	We present genetic and biochemical evidence that PAX6 is a key regulator of pancreatic islet hormone gene transcription and is required for normal islet development. In embryos homozygous for a mutant allele of the Pax6 gene, Small eye (Sey(Neu)), the numbers of all four types of endocrine cells in the pancreas are decreased significantly, and islet morphology is abnormal. In the remaining islet cells, hormone production, particularly glucagon production, is markedly reduced because of decreased gene transcription. These effects appear to result from a lack of PAX6 protein in the mutant embryos. Biochemical studies identify wild-type PAX6 protein as the transcription factor that binds to a common element in the glucagon, insulin, and somatostatin promoters, and show that PAX6 transactivates the glucagon and insulin promoters.
Keywords:	Glucagon, Insulin, Islet, Pancreas Development, PAX6, Transcription, Animals, Mice
Source:	Genes and Development
ISSN:	0890-9369
Publisher:	Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press
Volume:	11
Number:	13
Page Range:	1662-73
Date:	1 July 1997
Official Publication:	https://doi.org/10.1101/gad.11.13.1662
PubMed:	View item in PubMed

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