Transcriptional networks controlling pancreatic development and beta cell function.
Transcription factors provide the genetic instructions that drive pancreatic development and enable mature beta cells to function properly. To understand fully how this is accomplished, it is necessary to unravel the regulatory networks formed by transcription factors acting on their genomic targets. This article discusses recent advances in our understanding of how transcriptional networks control early pancreas organogenesis, embryonic endocrine cell formation and the differentiated function of adult beta cells. We discuss how mutations in several transcription factor genes involved in such networks cause Maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY). Finally, we propose that pancreatic gene programs might be manipulated to generate beta cells or to enhance the function of existing beta cells, thereby providing a possible treatment of different forms of diabetes.
Endocrinology, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain.
J M
JM
Servitja
J
J
Ferrer
D000818:Animals; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000235:genetics; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000502:physiology*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D010179:Pancreas / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000502:physiology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000502:physiology*
D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors; C498695:NEUROG3 protein, human; C084010:pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 protein