Pdx1-related homeodomain transcription factors are distinctly expressed in mouse adult pancreatic islets.
Complex gene networks are responsible for the proper operation of the endocrine pancreas. A central member of such networks, the homeodomain transcription factor Pdx1, belongs to the ParaHox gene cluster, an array of Hox-like homeobox genes. With a combination of mRNA in situ hybridisation and immunodetection, we have found that the rest of ParaHox cluster genes, Cdx1, Cdx2/3, and Cdx4, and Gsh1 and Gsh2, are all expressed in specific islet cell types of the endocrine pancreas. To our knowledge, this is the first report that locates ParaHox genes other than Pdx1 and Cdx2/3 in a place as to be involved in the pancreatic transcriptional regulatory networks, potentially regulating glucagon-insulin homeostasis.
Rosanas-Urgell
A
A
Departament de Genètica, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal, 645, E-08028, Barcelona, Spain.
Marfany
G
G
Garcia-Fernàndez
J
J
D000818:Animals; D000071616:CDX2 Transcription Factor; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D000071616:CDX2 Transcription Factor; C491272:Cdx1 protein, mouse; C487514:Cdx2 protein, mouse; C084563:Cdx4 protein, mouse; C098513:Gsh1 protein, mouse; C109498:Gsh2 protein, mouse; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors; C084010:pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 protein