title: RFX6 is needed for the development and maintenance of the β-cell phenotype.
abstract: RFX6 has recently been found to be essential for the development of the endocrine pancreas through studies in both humans and mice. Interestingly, this gene maintains a specific expression in the postnatal hormone producing cells of the pancreas. Moreover in humans, different types of diabetes mellitus affect obligate carriers of RFX6 mutations. Therefore, RFX6 appears to have a pivotal role in the maintenance of the phenotype of the β-cells in addition to their development. Extensive research is needed to specify this role and explore its significance in the efforts to treat diabetes with medications, or more importantly, through β-cell replacement.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Pediatrics and Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada. constantin.polychronakos@mcgill.ca
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Taleb
authors.forename: Constantin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Polychronakos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D010641:Phenotype; D000071701:Regulatory Factor X Transcription Factors; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D000071701:Regulatory Factor X Transcription Factors; C547964:Rfx6 protein, human; C547963:Rfx6 protein, mouse; D014157:Transcription Factors