title: Targeting pancreatic expressed PAX genes for the treatment of diabetes mellitus and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
abstract: Four members of the PAX family, PAX2, PAX4, PAX6 and PAX8 are known to be expressed in the pancreas. Accumulated evidences indicate that several pancreatic expressed PAX genes play a significant role in pancreatic development/functionality and alterations in these genes are involved in the pathogenesis of pancreatic diseases. Areas covered: In this review, we summarize the ongoing research related to pancreatic PAX genes in diabetes mellitus and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. We dissect the current knowledge at different levels; from mechanistic studies in cell lines performed to understand the molecular processes controlled by pancreatic PAX genes, to in vivo studies using rodent models that over-express or lack specific PAX genes. Finally, we describe human studies associating variants on pancreatic-expressed PAX genes with pancreatic diseases. Expert opinion: Based on the current literature, we propose that future interventions to treat pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and diabetes mellitus could be developed via the modulation of PAX4 and/or PAX6 regulated pathways.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Stem Cells, CABIMER-Andalusian Center for Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Avenida Américo Vespucio , Pancreatic Islet Development and Regeneration Unit/Laboratory of Aging Biology (PIDRU LAB) , Sevilla , Spain.
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martin-Montalvo
authors.affiliation: a Department of Stem Cells, CABIMER-Andalusian Center for Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Avenida Américo Vespucio , Pancreatic Islet Development and Regeneration Unit/Laboratory of Aging Biology (PIDRU LAB) , Sevilla , Spain.
authors.forename: Petra I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Lorenzo
authors.affiliation: a Department of Stem Cells, CABIMER-Andalusian Center for Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Avenida Américo Vespucio , Pancreatic Islet Development and Regeneration Unit/Laboratory of Aging Biology (PIDRU LAB) , Sevilla , Spain.
authors.forename: Livia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: López-Noriega
authors.affiliation: a Department of Stem Cells, CABIMER-Andalusian Center for Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Avenida Américo Vespucio , Pancreatic Islet Development and Regeneration Unit/Laboratory of Aging Biology (PIDRU LAB) , Sevilla , Spain.
authors.forename: Benoit R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Gauthier
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D018358:Neuroendocrine Tumors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D010179:Pancreas / Q000503:physiopathology; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors
keywords: Diabetes mellitus; PAX genes; PAX2; PAX4; PAX6; PAX8; pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors